Your baby's first foods
If you’re thinking of weaning your baby onto solids, health and cookery writer Nicola Graimes can help you get him off to a flying start
Wondering when to start giving your baby solids and what to give him? Government guidelines recommend that your baby has breastmilk or formula only up to six months if possible. Milk meets all his nutritional needs when he’s little, and waiting till six months may reduce his chances of developing a food allergy or intolerance.
And unless your doctor or health visitor suggests otherwise, it’s best not to start your baby on solids later than six months. By this age, his body needs the extra calories, vitamins and minerals that non-milk foods provide.
Foods to avoid in the first year
Getting started
Many foods can be given to your baby from six months (see Foods to avoid in the first year for exceptions), it’s a good idea to introduce him to new foods one by one to begin with, especially if there’s a history of allergies or allergic conditions like asthma and eczema in your family.
Choose a time of day when you’re not feeling too rushed or tired to make a start. Eating is a new skill for your baby, so don’t be offended if he seems to ‘spit’ food out at first – this is perfectly normal. Talk gently to your baby as you feed him to encourage him.
For his first meal, offer a little semi-liquid baby cereal, baby rice, puréed fruit or vegetables on the tip of a plastic spoon or a clean finger before or after a milk feed, or in the middle if this seems to work better. Don’t expect your baby to eat more than 1-2 teaspoons to begin with and stop once he’s finished or he doesn’t seem to be interested any more.
Be careful with cleanliness and make sure you sterilise all bowls and spoons. Throw away any food he doesn’t finish, and make sure you’re always nearby while he eats to make sure he doesn’t choke.
If your baby doesn’t seem interested in solids, don’t worry. He’s still getting most of the vitamins and minerals he needs from his milk feeds. Don’t try and force him to eat – just stop and try again another day.
The next few weeks
For the first few weeks, offer the same food for around three days at a time to allow your baby to get used to new tastes and so you can check if there is any allergic reaction. Thin and runny purées made from mild-tasting fruit and vegetables, such as pear, apple, banana, carrot and potato are generally best. Wash or scrub fruit and vegetables thoroughly and peel them, removing any core, seeds or pips. Offer a little purée once a day to begin with then, guided by your baby’s appetite, gradually build this up to three times a day.
Spotting allergies
Allergies are rare, but if your baby is allergic to a food, you may notice an itchy, blotchy rash on his skin, swelling in his lips and difficulty breathing. Allergic reactions can be serious, so if you notice any of these symptoms it’s best to call 999 for an ambulance so that he can be checked out as soon as possible.
Foods to avoid in the first year
Take care not to offer your baby these foods:
- Salt
- Sugar
- Hot spices
- Cow’s, sheep’s and goat’s milk as a main drink
- Shellfish
- Raw or soft-cooked eggs
- Honey
- Products containing peanuts or tree nuts like pecans and walnuts (only if you have a family history of allergies)
- Citrus fruits.
Why milk matters
For the first year, breastmilk or formula are a vital source of goodness for your baby. However, you’ll probably find that, as he eats more solid foods, he naturally takes less milk. Cow’s milk can be included in cooking from six months, but isn’t recommended as a main drink until one year. Also remember to sterilise bottles up to one year as warm milk is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
Once he’s eating solid foods, your baby may need fluids other than milk. Cooled boiled water is the best option. Avoid concentrated fruit juice, cordials and syrups as they are high in sugar and can damage new teeth, but very diluted fresh fruit juice (one part juice to ten parts water) is okay with meals. Offer drinks in a trainer cup or beaker with a soft spout and two handles from about six months.
Why your baby needs iron
Babies are born with a natural store of iron. By six months, these iron reserves have nearly been used up, so it’s important to include iron-rich foods in your baby’s diet. These include: red meat, stewed dried fruit, leafy green vegetables, beans and pulses, eggs, fish and fortified breakfast cereals.
Healthy meals for your baby
Once your baby’s used to taking purée from a spoon, you can start mixing baby rice or cereal with one puréed fruit or vegetable at a time. If your baby’s happy with these, try a little more variety:
- Avocado with baby rice
- Lentils mixed with carrot
- Stewed dried apricots and swede
- Cauliflower, potato and leek
- Porridge oats, grated cheese and puréed sweetcorn
- Puréed poached chicken or fish with tomato sauce and rice
- Tiny pasta shapes with squash and grated Parmesan
- Mashed potato with carrot and parsnip.
Find out more
- Food Standards Agency
www.eatwell.gov.uk
- The Vegetarian Society (for information on raising your baby as a vegetarian)
www.vegsoc.org
- Now read our features on finger foods and foods for older babies
- Watch our short film "Is my baby eating enough?"
Nicola Graimes
Nicola is a health and cookery writer and mum of two.
- Your baby's first foods
- 5-a-day menu planner
- Fruit sticks with chocolate
- Easy banoffee pudding
- Pesto muffin pizzas
- BBQ chicken kebabs with coleslaw
- Pork and veg stir-fry
- Quick penne pasta with bacon
- Bite-sized ham and egg pies
- Peach & raspberry smoothies
- Strawberry & yogurt crisp
- Mozzarella & tomato parcels
- Bacon & pineapple lunchbowl
- Peach & banana smoothies
- Apple flapjacks
- Five ways with... squash
Print this article >
Save this article >
Send this article >
Facebook >
