Solid Foundations: How to Start your Baby on Solids

Knowing when the right time to introduce solids to babies can be a confusing decision. The best time is when they show signs they’re ready. These signs happen at different times for different babies. When your baby is ready, by 6 months but not before 4 months, it is important to begin introducing a variety of nutritionally adequate solid foods whilst continuing to breastfeed or formula feed. Eating solid foods during this time should be fun, as it allows our children to explore different textures, tastes and smells. Breastmilk or formula should still be the primary source of nutrition in the first 12 months of life. There is no advantage to starting solid foods early and there is no evidence that solid foods will help your baby sleep longer, rather a baby with an upset tummy is likely to be more wakeful. When your infant is ready, introduce foods according to what the family usually eats, regardless of whether the food is considered to be a common food allergen.

Signs of Readiness

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) both recommend beginning solid foods when your infant is showing signs of readiness. All infants differ in the age when they are developmentally ready for solid foods and the most important signs to lookout for are:

• Being able to sit upright unsupported, this facilitates swallowing of new foods and reduces choking risks

• Baby has good head and neck control

• Co-ordination of hands when reaching and grasping and transferring to their mouth

• Increased interest in your food (following and reaching for food) 

• Seeing them open their mouth and move their tongue up and down rather than in and out.

Which Foods When

Consider introducing a variety of nutritionally appropriate foods as early as possible helps to supply them with the right nutrition and reduce any food allergies and intolerances.  You may choose to introduce one food at a time so that if a reaction occurs, you’re easily able to identify the problem food.  According to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), to minimise risk of allergies, all infants should be given allergenic foods such as egg, peanut, dairy, tree nuts, soy, sesame, wheat, fish and other seafood within the first year of life. ASCIA has great information on how to introduce the allergenic foods safely and effectively, you can find more information here: https://www.allergy.org.au/images/pcc/ASCIA_PCC_How_to_introduce_solid_foods_FAQ_2018.pdf 

Baby Led Weaning or Traditional Led Weaning 

Choosing to introduce solids using a Baby Led Weaning (BLW) or Traditional Led Weaning (TLW) approach is up to you as a parent. BLW allows your child to feed themselves suitable sized finger food pieces from the very start whereas TLW is where you begin with smooth puree foods and progress to mashed/chopped and then finger foods. BLW teaches your infant to chew their foods before swallowing, allowing for appropriate oro-facial development. Become familiar with both approaches and choose which method suits you and your baby most.

Choking versus Gagging

It is highly recommended you equip yourself with knowledge on the differences between choking and gagging and attending a Certified Infant First Aid Course to provide you with tools, should an emergency situation arise.

There is no textbook way to introducing solid foods, every child is different, just follow your child. Some babies develop faster than others and some will not want to do more than simply play with food. Food should be a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone, creating positive food associations early, creates long lasting effects through childhood and adulthood.