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Teeth are not required - babies' gums are strong enough to mash soft food, and what matters most is the baby's interest, with soft textures introduced first.
⚠️ Caution:Learn the difference between gagging (normal) and choking before offering finger foods, keep pieces soft, and always supervise meals.
Parents worry that a toothless baby will choke on textured foods like chilla, roti or dosa. The community reassures that gums are strong enough to handle soft food, that interest matters more than teeth, and that keeping textures very soft and learning gagging-versus-choking makes the transition safe.
Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.
You can try. If your baby has teeth or likes textured foods they'll take to it, otherwise they'll let you know.
Teeth don't matter if your baby is interested in your plate; mine chews chapati.
Baby-led weaning kids eat textured foods from 6 months. Educate yourself about the difference between choking and gagging, then go ahead. Some kids eat roti/paratha from 8 months.
Texture is fine as gums are very strong; any food you can smash with your finger is okay to give.
Make super-soft chillas - equal quantities of ragi and banana, or suji with yogurt, besan chilla with yogurt, or dosa batter with mashed paneer. Keep it super soft initially so they like it.
My 9-month-old enjoys paratha with curd.
The information shared on this page comes from real experiences of mothers in our community. While we strive to provide helpful insights, this content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician, healthcare provider, or other qualified medical professional for any questions regarding your child's health or development.
Last reviewed: June 17, 2026
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