When should I introduce solid foods to my baby?

The current recommendation is to start giving solid foods at around 6 months of age. Solid food should not be given before 4 months.

Your baby needs only breast milk or infant formula for their first 6 months.

Whether your baby is breast or formula fed, at around 6 months, most babies need more:

• iron
• protein
• zinc

These are found in solid foods. A baby's iron stores build up while they are in the uterus (womb). These iron levels become low by 6 months of age.

Your growing baby also needs more kilojoules (calories). This is important to satisfy your baby's hunger and extra growth needs.

Babies still need breast milk or formula at this time.

Each baby is an individual and will show signs of when they are ready for solid foods. All babies benefit from having some solid foods by 7 months of age.

Why can't I give my baby solid foods before 6 months?

Babies need to be physically and developmentally ready to eat solid foods. It takes time and practice for your baby to be able to:

• move food around in their mouth
• move food from the front of their tongue to the back of their mouth
• swallow food in their mouth

Until your baby is old enough, they only know how to suck and swallow milk. They don't know how to move solid textures to the back of their mouth so they can swallow it.

Until babies are 4 to 6 months old, they have a 'tongue extrusion reflex'. This means they use their tongue to push food out of their mouth. Giving solids before 4 to 6 months can also make your baby choke.

Giving your baby solid food too early can expose them to bacteria and fungi that can cause diarrhoea.

How will I know my baby is ready for solids?

Following your baby's lead will help you decide when they are ready for solids. Some babies seem very satisfied with breastfeeding or bottle feeding, even at 6 months.

Your baby is ready for solids when they:

• can sit upright in a highchair with their head and back unsupported
• start biting instead of sucking when they're breastfeeding
• are not as satisfied with milk alone and seem hungry after they've been breast or bottle fed
• show an interest in the food you're eating and reach out to eat some
• show excitement about food
• open their mouth as you offer them a spoon

If your baby is not showing signs of being ready for solid food, and you are worried, talk to your doctor or child health nurse.

How long should I keep breastfeeding or bottle feeding?

Your baby should have breast milk or formula until 12 months of age. After that, water and cow's milk served in a cup should be your baby's main drinks.

Breastfeeding can continue for as long as you and your baby are happy to keep going. Infant formula is not needed after 12 months.

Do not give more than 500 millilitres (mL) (two cooking cups) of cow's milk a day. Some babies can have an intolerance or allergy to cow's milk. These babies may need an alternative, such as soy. Follow your doctor's or allergy specialist's advice. Always read food labels carefully.

Read more about balancing solids with milk feeds.

Can I give my baby 'allergenic foods'?

Allergenic foods are foods or drinks that can give your baby an allergic reaction. Common allergenic foods are:

• peanuts and tree nuts (such as almonds and hazelnuts)
• cow's milk
• wheat
• eggs
• fish and shellfish
• sesame
• soy

The best time to introduce allergenic foods is when you are starting to give your baby some solids. It's recommended that you start giving allergy foods before your baby reaches 12 months. Waiting until your baby is older might increase the chance of your baby developing an allergy.

If you're concerned that your baby could have a food allergy, speak to your doctor or child health nurse.

Learn more here about how to introduce allergenic foods.

How should I start introducing solids?

Look for signs that your baby is ready for solids. Solid foods can be introduced in any order as long as they are iron-rich.

Start with small amounts of soft, iron-rich, pureed foods. The food needs to be nutritious. It also needs to be the right texture for their age — read about this below.

What is baby-led weaning?

Baby-led weaning is a way to offer solids where your baby feeds themselves. You can do this by offering small amounts of food on a tray or plate. Your baby can pick up the food themselves and put it in their mouth. The food still needs to be soft enough to eat.

You don't have to stick to one way of feeding. Your baby can be given food on a spoon as well as giving them food to pick up themselves.

Timing of feeds

There is no clear recommendation about the best time of day to offer first solids. It can be helpful to give your baby solids after a mid-morning milk feed. If they become unsettled, it's less likely to disrupt their night-time sleep.

Stop the feeding if your baby becomes full, tired or irritable (grumpy).

As your baby grows, they will learn to eat from watching other people. Make sure you stay with your baby while they eat to encourage learning about eating and to avoid choking.

What are the best foods to start with?

The nutrient content of food is important to consider when giving your baby solid food. Offer your baby healthy, nutritious foods which will support their growth and development. It's important that your baby gets the right amount of iron and other nutrients they need to grow and be healthy.

The first foods you should start with should be pureed and contain iron. These include:

• iron-enriched infant cereal (such as rice cereal)
• pureed red or white meat, including fish
• cooked plain tofu
• cooked legumes, soybeans, lentils
• pureed fruit and vegetables

As your baby develops you can move onto other textures. Other foods to introduce before 12 months include:

• cooked or raw vegetables
• fruit
• bread and pasta
• eggs
• toast fingers and rusks
• peanut and nut butters
• dairy products (full fat yoghurts, cheese and custard)

From 12 months you will be able to give your baby the same food your family eats and full-cream pasteurised milk.

What textures of food are best?

The food you give your baby should be of the right texture for their age. As they get older, they can eat foods with more texture. Chewing food helps with jaw and speech development.

It's important to offer a range of textures. This gives your baby a chance to pick and try food. Some babies may move onto different textures at different times.

Move them on from purees to mashed foods with lumps and textures and eventually cut up foods.

From 6 months

Start by offering your baby pureed foods that have a smooth and easy-to-swallow texture. Your baby won't have teeth to chew and grind their food so they will use their gums to 'chew'.

You can then progress to minced and chopped food as they get older.

At 8 months

Most babies at this age can manage 'finger foods'. Finger foods are foods that are cut into small pieces which your baby can pick up and eat themselves, such as:

• soft fruit
• eggs and omelette
• cheese
• soft cut up meat and fish (no bones)
• cut up pieces of bread and pancake

It is important that you introduce your baby to lumpy food by 9 months of age to lower the chances of feeding problems later.

By 12 months

Your baby should be able to eat a wide variety of food that the rest of the family eat.

How much solid food should I start with?

From 6 months

When your baby first starts on solid foods, they won't need much. One to 2 teaspoons is plenty. It will take your baby some time to learn what is involved in the whole process of opening their mouth, chewing and swallowing.

Make sure your baby is sitting comfortably and not too full or hungry before you offer them food.

Between 6 to 12 months

You can offer more meals once your baby is eating 2 to 3 tablespoons at a time.

From 12 months

Your baby will continue to eat more of your family foods. They may eat different amounts each day. This is normal but speak to your doctor if you are concerned.

How important is variety?

Aim for variety when it comes to your baby's foods. Colour, texture and taste are all important features of first foods.

Where possible, cook and prepare your baby's foods yourself so you know what ingredients are in your baby's food. Aim for fresh fruits and vegetables, cooked with a small amount of water. The food should be soft enough to chew.

Most babies can be a little unsure when they are given new foods. From 6 months, your baby may refuse foods at first. It can take many tries before they accept a new food. It's a good idea to try the food a few times to see if they show interest later.

Get into the habit of offering your baby different tastes. You can share soft food from your own plate. Avoid adding salt, strong flavours or spices to your baby's food. Their taste buds are very sensitive. They can detect even the most subtle flavours.

Tips for introducing solid foods

• Until your baby is 9 months, offer them breast milk or formula feeds before solids. After 9 months, they can have breast milk or formula after their solids.
• Be sensitive to your baby's cues or signals that they are hungry or full. Don't force them to eat or keep offering food if they're turning away, closing their mouth or not swallowing.
• Give your baby plenty of time to practise their new eating skills. At first, they'll spit the food out, may seem unsure or pull faces at the taste of certain foods. Remember, eating solids is as much about learning as it is about nutrition.
• Let your baby make a mess. As soon as they are ready, offer them finger foods and let them pick up food and put it in their mouth.
• Always supervise your baby when they are eating solid foods. Small, hard foods can be a choking hazard — although babies can choke on any food of any texture.
• Make sure you cook and store your baby's food safely. Never reheat food that has been reheated previously, or that has been sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Are there any foods my baby shouldn't eat?

There are some foods that are not suitable for infants, including:

• cow's milk as their main milk drink before 12 months
• reduced-fat milk and unpasteurized milk or dairy foods
• small hard foods, such as whole grapes, uncooked vegetables, or other hard fruit and vegetables due to the risk of choking
• honey — this can contain botulism spores and should not be given to babies under 12 months
• whole nuts, popcorn, and hard sweets
• raw egg
• processed food with fat, sugar or salt, such as cakes, biscuits, chips or fried foods

Your baby should also not be given:

• fruit juice or cordial
• soft drinks
• tea, coffee or energy drinks

Do not add salt, sugar or other additives to your baby's food.

When can my baby have water to drink?

For the first 12 months, breast milk or formula should be your baby's main drink.

If your baby is breastfed and gets enough milk, they don't need any additional water in the first six months.

Formula fed babies can be given some cooled boiled tap water if they need more water.

You should boil water to make it safe for your baby. Make sure the water has cooled to a safe temperature before giving it to your baby. You can also store it in a clean and sterilised bottle in the fridge.

Once your baby has reached 6 months of age, they can be given small amounts of water to drink. Cooled, boiled water can be offered in a sippy cup at mealtimes and in-between.

Learning how to drink from a cup is useful. Giving a small amount of water this way can help your baby learn this skill.

You should never give your baby mineral water. This contains high levels of salts and minerals which are not good for your baby's kidneys.

Is a vegetarian or vegan diet safe for my baby?

Babies and toddlers fed a vegetarian or vegan diet can thrive as long as their food contains sufficient energy (kilojoules) and nutrients for growth.

Iron is especially important from 6 months. Great options are:

• nut pastes — such as peanut butter
• avocado
• wholegrains
• tofu
• healthy fats and oils

Iron-fortified cereal and green leafy vegetables are also essential.

If your baby has a vegan diet, it's best to also keep breastfeeding your baby for as long as possible (2 years or more).

If you are planning to offer your baby a vegan or vegetarian diet, speak to an Accredited Practising Dietitian before getting started.

Which is better — bought or homemade food?

Many babies eat a combination of homemade and bought food.

Store-bought food is convenient and easy to prepare. It's also handy for when you are not at home or travelling. When buying store-bought food for your baby, read the labels. Try to avoid foods that are high in sugar and salt.

Although making your own food might be a bit time-consuming, the advantage is you know what's in it. Making one big batch and freezing portions can save time.

Homemade food will also help your baby get used to family cooked meals. You can serve small portions of meals made for the rest of the family before adding strong flavours or spices. Making your own baby food is also more affordable.

Resources and support

The Sydney Children's Hospital Network has more advice about introducing solid food to your baby as well as some recipe ideas.

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has a helpful guide about food during your baby's first year.

Languages other than English

Health Translations has translated information about first foods to give your baby.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Queensland Government has a useful guide for starting your baby on solid foods.

The Department of Health and Ageing has a helpful resource with good options for your baby's first foods.