How to Start Your Baby On Solids

A baby is ready for food when they begin to control their tongue, start to sit upright when supported, show an interest in food and have an increased appetite. Generally this is between four and six months of age.

Breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby. It provides all the nutrients your baby needs for the first six months of life, and is an important food for the first year. If you are not breastfeeding infant formula will provide nutrition for your baby.

Starting solids before four months can be harmful as baby’s digestive system is not mature, and can increase the risk of food allergies and choking.

Foods to introduce first

Baby cereals make iron-fortified baby rice cereal into a smooth paste with breast milk, formula or cooled, boiled water.

Mashed/pureed vegetables start with potato, pumpkin and carrots then progress to stronger flavoured vegetables such as peas, cauliflower and broccoli.

Mashed/pureed fruit well mashed banana, stewed apple or pear, well mashed rockmelon, watermelon (seedless).

It’s best to introduce fruit after vegetables so your baby doesn’t get used to sweet foods first.

Freeze any extra amounts of prepared vegetables and fruit in ice cube trays and store in snap lock bags for use in the next few weeks.

Don’t add sugar, salt, butter or margarine to your baby’s food. They don’t need it, in fact bland food is better to start with, to ensure they don’t start out loving everything sweetened.

Try not to let your own taste get in the way of baby trying new things, and try to muster up enthusiasm for veggies you don’t love to foster a positive attitude towards food.

Tips to introduce solids

• For the first few months, offer solids after a milk feed, as breast milk/infant formula is still the main food.
• Solids are given to teach the baby about eating and to provide extra iron, protein and vitamins.
• To start, offer 1-2 teaspoons of one new food at a time. A new food can be added every few days.
• Try each new food in the morning in case the baby reacts to it. Reactions can be watery poos, vomiting, rashes, swelling or wheezing. Reactions are uncommon but may occur with nuts, egg, dairy, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. If a reaction occurs, see your doctor, child health nurse or dietitian. Some reactions may require urgent medical attention.
• Increase gradually to 1-2 tablespoons of solids, 2-3 times per day.
• Don’t add solids to the baby’s bottle. The baby needs to learn to chew and swallow.
• Babies will let you know when they have had enough by refusing the food or turning away.

Start with bland, easily mashed or pureed foods. Your baby does not need pureed foods for very long. This stage usually only lasts a few weeks. Some food such as potato, pumpkin, banana and avocados don’t even need to be pureed as they mash up easily.

Remember, every baby develops at their own pace. Some will learn to eat from a spoon quickly, others will have little interest. Don’t give up, just try again another time.

The amounts suggested are just a guide to help you get started. Your baby will take more solids at each feed as it gets used to food and continues to grow. Be aware that when different foods are introduced your baby’s poo will change in colour and texture.

Don’t be alarmed, it’s normal!