Babies can generally start eating Cheerios around 8 to 9 months old. However, they should have reached certain developmental milestones first:

• They need to have started solid foods already and be ready to move on to slightly firmer solids.
• They should have developed the pincer grasp (the ability to pick up small objects between the thumb and index finger), which usually emerges around 9 months.
• They should be able to sit up unsupported.
• Teeth are not necessary since Cheerios soften easily in the baby's mouth due to saliva.

Cheerios are a popular finger food because they dissolve easily and are less of a choking risk compared to some other solid foods. Parents often wait to offer Cheerios until babies can feed themselves independently with the pincer grasp and sit well, which indicates readiness for this type of snack. If you are concerned about choking, you could start with baby puffs that dissolve even more easily before transitioning to Cheerios. Summary:

• Introduction of Cheerios: About 8-9 months
• Prerequisites: Solid food introduction, pincer grasp, sitting unsupported
• Teeth: Not required for eating Cheerios
• Safety: Dissolve easily, low choking risk

This guidance comes from pediatricians and nutrition experts to ensure safety and developmental readiness for babies eating Cheerios.