Introducing solids
This is something I talk to all parents about at their baby’s 4 and 6 months health check and immunisations. I know it can feel a bit overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. Solids can be a wonderful sensory - rich experience for your baby and sharing a meal as a family can be lovely for everyone to enjoy.
When to introduce solids?
It is safe and recommended to introduce solids at “around 6 months”. Follow your baby’s cues and signs of developmental readiness – some are ready a little earlier than 6 months and some a little later.
Readiness is a developmental stage - signs include having good head control when sitting supported, showing interest in food/ what you’re eating and loss of a strong tongue thrust reflux (that’s when the tongue automatically “thrusts out” in response to a spoon/ food depressing their tongue, and it’s an important protection against choking).
A lot of families worry that starting solids will be cumbersome and something else to always have to think about. It’s OK for it to be a bit haphazard to start with – it might just start with letting them have a taste of something you’re eating, and they might have solids on some days and not others. I suggest letting them have a baby- friendly form of whatever you’re cooking and eating already in the hope that it will feel less stressful or overwhelming.
What to introduce?
Many families start with fruits and veggies. I usually encourage families to eat what’s seasonal and again whatever your family likes eating and has at home. I really don’t think it’s necessary to introduce one food or flavour at a time for most babies – it’s only allergens that strictly need to be one at a time (see below for more).
Babies need iron in their diet from or by 6 months of age. Some families prefer to start with iron fortified cereal but you don’t have to – meat is a great natural source of iron that can be mixed in with veggie purees or given as finger foods (slow cooked/ minced/ off a bone!). Home made pate is a wonderful iron rich food you can introduce to your baby, too. Plant based sources of iron are also great to include in their diet (eg lentils, tofu, beans and leafy greens) but the iron in these is less easily absorbed by the body.
There is strong evidence that early and sustained exposure to dietary allergens reduces the risk of developing an allergy to those foods. Allergens include peanuts, egg, cows milk, tree nut, wheat, fish, shellfish, soy and seseme. These should be introduced one at a time so that if your baby has a reaction, you will know what it is to. A severe reaction such as anaphylaxis will usually occur after the second exposure to an allergen, so after they’ve had something a couple of times you know its safe to mix in with other allergens. Fairly regular ongoing exposure is key to avoiding allergy, too – and again the easiest way to do this is just to offer a varied diet similar to what your family is eating!
Purees vs baby led weaning?
Generally speaking, I recommend introducing finger foods closer to six months to reduce the risk of choking. Initial finger foods should be soft enough for them to eat without molars (back teeth), and things like grapes should be chopped while babies are little because they can also pose a choking risk.
Again, I would recommend following your baby’s cues. Some babies love to feed themselves finger foods, others love purees and being fed. Lots of babies like both, or go through stages where they prefer one or the other.
What foods to avoid?
It is recommended to avoid honey for babies under 12 months due to the risk of risk of infant botulism. This is a rare but serious illness that can cause paralysis, and it is caused by the toxin released by Clostridium botulinum bacteria that can be found in honey.
Foods that are very high in salt should also be avoided – a bit of seasoning while you’re cooking is fine, I’d just recommend being careful with things like shop – bought stock (salt reduced and home-made stock are better alternatives).
Whole nuts and whole grapes can cause choking and should be avoided for babies - offer nut butters and chopped grapes instead.
Milk before solids or solids before milk?
At the essence, it’s important to understand that for at least the first few months, milk (breast/ formula) should still be your baby’s main source of calories, and for many babies this will continue until 12 months. However, the timing doesn’t need to be strict. If they had a big milk feed before their nap and it suits to have some solids when they woke up, you don’t have to worry about giving milk again first. It’s OK to also fit around your family’s mealtimes and activities and to continue breastfeeding on demand.
Food before one is just for fun?
In the early days, having solids is all about introducing tastes and textures and helping your baby’s oral motor development. But also exposure to allergens and additional iron intake are really essential. Further, it’s common for many babies to gradually reduce how much milk they’re having as they are closer to one year old – it’s not something that you would expect to suddenly change overnight once they turn one.
Embrace the sensory rich experience!
Solids can be such an exciting and sensory rich experience for your baby. So many new flavours and textures, and babies often love eating to be a whole body experience!! I encourage families to try and roll with the mess if they can – if this is hard for them, I suggest letting their baby eat dinner wearing only a nappy so that if they end up really messy they can go straight into the bath or shower afterwards.
