When is it time for solids?
Breast milk or infant formula should be your baby’s main source of nutrition for the first year. At around 6 months, new foods can be gradually introduced, exposing your baby to new tastes and textures and to encourage the development of their jaws and teeth.

Signs your baby is ready for solids
Your baby will usually start to show you that they are ready for solids. They may begin to watch you eat with interest, open their mouths as if imitating you as you eat or make sounds and gestures that indicate they would like to sample your food.

If, when offered solids, your baby pokes out the tongue and tries to push the food out (a reflex action to prevent choking), it may be too early for solids.

Getting started on solids
Starting solids can be an exciting time for you and your baby. The main thing to remember is relax and let your baby set the pace. Expect a mess and let your baby enjoy the feeding process.

It’s best to use a soft shallow spoon and start with just half a teaspoon of food, increasing the amount gradually. Food should be smooth and mushy and make sure to avoid adding salt or sugar.

Suitable foods to start with
First foods include baby rice cereal, mixed with breast milk or formula and finely mashed fruits and vegetables such as banana, avocado, stewed apple, pear and pumpkin. As your baby gets older you can gradually make the food lumpier, but still keep it soft. You should only introduce new foods one at a time. This not only helps your baby identify tastes, but allows you to check for adverse reactions to a particular type of food.

Get advice
Your child healthcare professional can advise you on introducing solids, which foods to feed your baby and how to deal with issues such as weaning off breast milk. Remember, don’t be pressured to wean – you can continue to breastfeed for instance even when solid food forms a major part of your child’s diet.