First Foods

Now it’s time to wean your baby you might be wondering if there are any options other than baby rice mixed with expressed breast milk or formula. Although it’s traditional to ensure your baby’s first solids are fairly bland, a lot of experts say there’s no reason why you can’t tickle his tastebuds with that very first proper meal.

Although there will be times when it has to be store-bought jars to save time, the best starter foods for your baby are your own home-made gourmet purées – sweet potatoes, carrots, sweet apples or pears cooked until soft and then blended to a smooth consistency. Mashed avocadoes or bananas are also great first foods to try. Other foods that are appropriate for your baby at each stage of his development include…

Four to six months

• Gluten-free baby rice.

• Puréed fruit and vegetables – try sweet potato, pears, carrot, butternut squash and apples.

• Breast or formula milk (16-20 ounces a day).

• Cooled, boiled water.

Seven to nine months

• Wheat-based cereals.

• Lentil purée.

• Mashed fruits and vegetables, such as banana, avocado, potato, carrots, parsnips.

• Full-fat yogurt and fromage frais.

• Finger foods such as toast slices, pita bread, rice cakes.

• Breast or formula milk (16-20 ounces a day).

• Cooled, boiled water.

10 to 12 months

• Soft cooked pasta pieces

• Well-cooked minced/chopped eggs.

• Bread.

• Oatmeal.

• Chopped meat and flaked white fish.

• Finger foods as before, plus soft cooked diced vegetables, pieces of soft fruit.

• Breast or formula milk (12-16 ounces a day).

• Cooled, boiled water.

Keep in mind that if you have a family history of allergies you should avoid giving your baby avoid foods that are potential allergens such as wheat, eggs, shellfish, strawberries and peanut butter, until he’s over 12 months.

Chat to other moms about this, or other topics, by leaving a message on the feeding and food area of our chat forum.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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