We did both and it wasn't confusing, I don't think. He didn't eat solid food for a while. We started around 6 months (as advised by the WHO or whatever) but it wasn't until 8 months that he would actually swallow it or take in any actual nutrition that way. Around that same time, we were in Germany and we were told babies there - their first food is pretzel - because they can pick it up and put it in their mouths and eventually it dissolves and they swallow it. So, we did that while we were there.

Probably around the same time, we also started attempting to let him try to feed himself. We'd feed him, but we'd also give him a chance to hold the spoon and try.

I figure - everything is practice - get them started practicing things and eventually they will learn it.