Description
Introducing Solid Foods from 6 Months
The trend internationally is to introduce solids at six months. Studies have shown that there is a definite link between allergies and the introduction of solids too early. Premature introduction of solids may also overload your baby’s kidneys and digestive tract.
Babies who are at least 4 months of age, weigh 6 – 7 kgs in weight and who exhibit excessively hungry behaviour, i.e. formula fed babies drinking more than 1 litre per day or breastfed babies feeding two hourly, day and night, may start solids before 6 months.
If starting solids prior to 6 months, remember solids are always to be given AFTER a milk feed, wait half an hour and then give solids. Milk is the most important dietary requirement in a baby’s diet until 6 months.
In rare cases, certain babies may need to start solids before 6 months due to slow growth or severe reflux, but this should only be done on the recommendation of your medical practitioner.
How to get started on solids:
The recommended time to introduce solids is at 6 months unless otherwise advised by your medical practitioner
Start with rice cereal, mix 2-3 teaspoons with breast milk or formula milk
Best time to start cereal is at breakfast
After 1 week introduce cereal at dinner time
1 – 2 weeks later introduce vegetables
Introduce 1 new vegetable every 3 days
Tweenies starter pack provides the perfect solution – 2 ice trays with 8 different flavours – 1 new flavour every 3 days
Use our Frooties range to introduce fruit with breakfast cereal or plain, full fat yoghurt
No citrus, strawberries or kiwi fruit until 9 months, and ripe bananas from 8 months
How to feed your baby and create a good eating environment
- In a high chair
- With a spoon out of a bowl
- Feed in a calm environment
- Relax about the mess and possible food refusal
- Make feeding fun
- Ensure you have a good supply of large bibs and face cloths
- Allow baby to feel the food and play with the textures – this will ultimately get your baby to feed herself
- Dedicate your time completely to your baby while she eats, this will relax and calm her
- When she is eating well, make meal times family times and sit around a dining room table or kitchen table
- Interaction with other siblings is vital (Please note: this is an indication of how much your baby will eat, please remember every child is different, and may eat more, or less than 1 cube to start!)
