starting solids

Most babies are usually ready for solids between four and six months of age.There are a number of signs to indicate when she is ready, for example:

• She is able to hold her head up
• Her tongue is no longer protruding
• She wakes more at night
• Is interested in others eating
• Seems hungry after feeds
• Frequently puts things in her mouth

Solids should be introduced around six months to ensure the necessary vitamins and minerals, especially iron for growth, brain development and learning, are absorbed.

when is a good time to start?

Choose a good time of the day when neither of you are tired or impatient. Use a small teaspoon and put the food in the middle of her tongue. Start with one food at a time and add a new food or flavour every 4-5 days. 

getting started 

Start with a small amount, about half to one teaspoon, once a day and increase this gradually to about half a cup before increasing the number of meals. Then carry on increasing the amount, letting her appetite guide how much is eaten. If she doesn’t like a new food the first time, stop and try again with a small amount a few days later.

Texture is more important than taste when first starting solids as her taste is still developing. Gradually increase the texture of the food.

If she has been eating well during a feed and then stops, either by turning her head away, pushing the food or your hand away, or closing her mouth and crying, she has had enough. Be sure never to force food on your baby – meal times should be an enjoyable time. 

what food to give when?

First foods need to be soft and smooth. Use a blender or push food through a fine sieve with a wooden spoon. You can add expressed breast milk, formula or water to make the food liquid enough for your baby to swallow. 

first foods to try

• Pureed fruit - cooked apple, pear, apricot, peach, ripe banana

• Cooked and pureed vegetables - carrot, pumpkin, parsnip, potato, marrow, avocado, kumara

• Baby breakfast cereals such as iron-fortified baby rice mixed with your baby’s usual milk

• Prepared, canned baby foods (check the labels for the age they are suitable for)

Do not add salt, sugar, artificial sweeteners or butter to your baby’s food.

Also avoid dairy products (cheese, yoghurt, custard) until 8-9 months, and cow’s milk and egg white until she is one year of age and her stomach is physically ready to have them. 

handy hints

• Baby food from a jar can be stored for up to 48 hours, once opened, so long as it is put straight into the fridge and you didn’t feed your baby directly from the jar.
• Home-made foods frozen can be stored for up to 3-4 weeks.
• Food stored in the fridge or freezer should be heated through until piping hot and then left to cool before serving.
• Throw uneaten food away as bacteria may make the food go off.