Balancing introducing solids with milk feeds

Until your baby is 6 months of age, they should be getting all of their nutrition from breastmilk or formula. It's recommended that you don't introduce solid foods (solids) before 6 months of age.

Until they are 4 to 6 months of age, your baby won't know how to move solid textures to the back of their mouth to be swallowed. Your baby will push food out of their mouth with their tongue – it's called the 'tongue extrusion reflex'.

As you begin to introduce solids, continue feeding with breastmilk or formula first.

Give breastmilk or formula as the main drink until 12 months of age.

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

You can start to introduce solid foods when your baby:

• can sit upright, with support
• has good head control
• shows interest in eating, such as reaching out when they see food
• opens their mouth when food is offered
• can control their tongue and move food around their mouth

Even though some babies show these signs at an earlier age, continue to offer your baby breastmilk or formula if they appear hungry.

You should introduce solid foods into your baby's diet gradually:

• 0 to 6 months — until your baby is 6 months of age, give them breastmilk or formula.
• At 6 months — you can start to introduce small amounts of solids once per day. Offer your baby solids after a milk feed. Begin with pureed or mashed food. Continue to give your baby milk feeds first.
• At around 8 to 9 months — try giving your baby solids as part of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• From 9 to 12 months — gradually increase the amount and frequency of your baby's solid food intake. Offer food with increased texture such as soft lumpy food and finger foods.
• From 12 to 18 months — Encourage your baby to feed themselves foods from the 5 food groups. Give solids before milk feeds during this time.

From 6 to 9 months of age, your baby may spit out solid foods. This does not mean they don't like the food. This is a normal reflex which will decrease over time.

Children under 3 years should not be given hard foods that can cause choking, such as:

• whole nuts
• popcorn
• lollies

It's best if your baby's first foods are rich in iron, such as:

• iron-fortified baby cereals
• meat
• poultry
• fish
• cooked tofu
• legumes such as beans, or chickpeas

You can introduce foods in any order that suits your baby, family and cultural preferences.

Choose foods from the 5 food groups to help make sure your baby gets the nutrients needed to grow and develop.

Vegetables and legumes

Give your baby cooked and pureed or mashed vegetables such as:

• pumpkin
• carrots
• potato or sweet potato
• peas
• broccoli or cauliflower
• zucchini

As your baby becomes better at chewing, you can introduce vegetables that are cooked but not pureed.

Fruit

Give your baby stewed and pureed fruit, such as:

• apples
• pears
• peaches
• apricots
• berries
• mashed banana

Gradually introduce pieces of cooked or canned fruit such as peach and grated raw apple. Avoid larger pieces of raw apple as this can cause your baby to choke.

Grains and cereals

Give your baby fortified infant cereals to start. As your baby develops their chewing skills, you can offer them:

• cooked, rolled oats
• wholegrain breakfast biscuits
• thicker infant cereals

You should not add sugar or honey to your baby's cereal. Avoid offering your baby cereals with chocolate or added sugar.

Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, legumes, tofu

Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, legumes and tofu should be pureed when you first offer them to your baby.

As your baby develops their chewing skills, offer them bite-sized pieces of:

• chicken
• minced meat
• flaked fresh or canned fish
• mashed tofu
• scrambled or mashed boiled eggs

Avoid processed meats such as ham, salami and devon as they contain a lot of salt. Don't add salt to any of your baby's meals.

Milk, cheese, yoghurt

Here are some tips to help add dairy to your baby's food:

• Add small amounts of cow's milk or fortified plant-based milks to foods such as porridge.
• Melt small amounts of grated cheese in mashed vegetables.
• Offer your baby plain yoghurt without added sugar. Add chopped fruit for extra flavour.

If your family doesn't use animal products, your baby may need a vitamin B12 supplement. Talk to your doctor about this.

There are some foods that should be avoided when introducing solids as they may contain harmful bacteria, such as:

• honey
• raw or runny eggs
• unpasteurised milks

You should also avoid or limit foods with added salt or added sugar.

Until your baby reaches 6 months of age, they should only drink breastmilk or formula.

After 6 months of age, you can start to offer your baby small amounts of cooled, boiled water out of a cup. Continue to give them breastmilk or formula as the main fluid during this time.

After 12 months of age, your baby can drink:

• breastmilk or formula
• water
• full-fat cow's milk

There are some drinks that should be limited or avoided, such as:

• coffee
• tea
• herbal drinks
• fruit juice
• sweetened drinks

Your baby will know when they've had enough to eat. You should:

• offer healthy, unprocessed food choices
• follow your baby's cues — babies tend to turn away or lose interest once they've had enough to eat

Your baby's appetite may vary from day to day. Talk to your doctor if you are worried that your baby is not getting enough food.

By 8 to 12 months of age, most babies will enjoy finger foods. Finger foods are foods they can hold themselves.

Some babies also like to hold their own spoon at this age. This is an important part of learning to feed themselves.

Speak to your doctor if you are worried about your baby's eating or development.

For more information about when and how to introduce solid foods, see:

• the Parenting South Australia website
• the Royal Children's Hospital website
• the Sydney Children's Hospital website
  

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