Introducing Solids

The first thing to think about is what foods to offer your baby.

It can be very tempting to rush into the kitchen and start conjuring up exotic combinations of fruit and vegetables but in reality, you should probably limit the purées you make to a single ingredient, which will mean you can establish how popular each new food is with your baby and pinpoint the cause of any allergic reactions. There will be time for more lavish dishes later!

Use organic fruit and vegetables where possible as they’ll be additive free and delicious. Homemade food is much more economical than ready-made jars, so it’s worth investing a bit of time every week in making up some purees. You can freeze them in ice-cube trays and defrost a few cubes at a time.

Give your baby half of his usual milk feed before he tries his first taste of something new. That way, he won’t be too hungry or too full to co-operate. Don’t pick a time when he’s tired – lunchtime is your best option. At first he’ll likely only eat a teaspoon or so and when he loses interest carry on with his milk feed. He’ll have to learn how to use his tongue to maneuver the food to the back of his mouth and swallow, so be patient. For the first couple of weeks get used to seeing your lovingly blended vegetable concoctions being unceremoniously spat out!

If your baby truly shows no interest in solid food leave it for a bit longer, before trying again. Keep up the usual milk feeds and perhaps try something a bit blander, such as breast milk and baby rice, or puréed potato. It could be the strong taste of the new food that your baby is rejecting. Whatever the reason, your baby will eventually show some interest.

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The information on 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.