Introducing solids
Maybe your baby always seems hungry, wakes during the night (when he or she used to sleep through), is not putting on weight or becomes interested in watching you eat.
- Give solids after the breast or bottle feed.
- Rice cereal is the best food to start off with because it’s less likely to cause allergic reactions, and it contains iron.
- Mix one teaspoon of cereal with a little breast milk, formula or cooled boiled water, to a thick paste-like consistency. (If it’s too thin, baby will try to suck it rather than chew).
- Feed baby with a small plastic teaspoon.
Week 1
Once a day, after the midmorning feed.
Week 2
Twice a day, morning and afternoon.
Week 3
Add some cooked pureed apple or ripe mashed banana.
- Gradually increase the amount as baby demands until they’re having 1/4-1/2 cup.
- For more information, ask your Child Health Nurse for the brochure “Ready for Solids”.
When starting your baby on solids, cook as much as you can yourself, rather than resorting to commercial baby foods (keep these for picnics, travel and emergencies).This way, baby will have a variety of textures and tastes.
Cooking fruit: Peel, remove the core, chop, then steam or microwave until soft. Fork mash (or blend if baby is just starting solids).
Cooking vegetables: Wash, peel if necessary, chop and steam or microwave until tender. Mash with a fork or potato masher.
- Never add salt or sugar — baby doesn’t need the extra taste, and it’s not good for their health.
- Cook a large quantity, and then freeze in separate small plastic containers with lids (a meal size quantity in each).
- Some foods, like potato, freeze better when mixed with other vegetables.
- If heating in the microwave, make sure you mix thoroughly before giving to baby, as it heats unevenly.