Starting Solids

Starting your baby on solids is a very exciting time. But how do you know your baby is ready for solid food, and what types of food is most appropriate to begin with?

Signs Your Baby Is Ready To Start Solid Food

It is generally recommended to start your baby on solid food from about the age of 5-6 months. To help you along there are generally a few things that will tell you that your baby is ready to start, so take your cues from your baby and look for the following:

• Can your baby sit up straight?
• When tasting food, does your baby keep it in their mouth without trying to push it out?
• Can your baby pick up food with their fingers?
• Has your baby increased the number of times they want nursing/ bottle feeding and is still not appearing full?
• Does your baby wake during the night to be fed after previously sleeping through?
• Does your baby have teeth to assist chewing?
• Is your baby interested in watching you eat?
• Does your baby try to grab your spoon or food while you are eating?

How Do I Start?

The best place to start is with an iron-rich rice cereal, mixed with either your regular formula or breast milk to quite a runny consistency. Allow your baby a few weeks of the plain cereal to become used to the texture, and gradually increase the density of the mix as you go until it resembles mushy Weet-Bix.

Vegetables: This a great place to start as they are healthy, they have virtually no sugar and are very satisfying to an empty belly! Try pureed pumpkin, carrot, sweet potato, sieved creamed corn, zucchini, avocado or parsnip. Be sure to only offer one type of food every few days to allow you to track what your child has eaten should they present with a reaction or allergy. Gradually as your child becomes accustomed to each, start combining the tastes.

Fruit:It is generally a good idea to try pureed fruit after you have first tried vegetables as fruit is higher in sugar and can become a sole preference for many babies if a love of vegies hasn’t been established. By the time your child is about 8 months old, you should be aiming to include 3 serves of fresh vegetables and 2 serves of fresh fruit each day. Fruit to try can include pureed apple, mashed banana, pureed peaches, apricot or pear.

Bottle/ Breast Feeding: Do not stop your normal feeding as babies still need the nutritional benefits of formula or breast milk to supplement their diet. Aim to give feeds after your child’s meal to promote the eating of solid food first and discourage them filling up on milk. If you are looking to wean your child on to a cup, this can be a great time to start. Cows milk can be offered from 12 months if desired, but of course toddler formula or breast milk can be continued if preferred.

Remember

• It is important to take cues from your baby. If they are disinterested or struggling, stop solids and try again in a week.
• Offer one food at a time to track allergies or reactions to certain food.
• Always make sure baby’s food is prepared properly in a hygienic environment to minimise sickness.
• Never leave a young child alone with food in case of choking.
• Avoid adding salt or sugar to your baby’s food and, where possible, minimise commercially prepared baby food.

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