There are a few things you should look out for if you are wondering when to introduce foods to babies. The average age for a baby to start eating solids is between four to six months. If you notice your baby is able to hold his/her head up well and can sit with a little support at this age, he/she might be ready for solid foods. Another sign to look for is if your baby is reaching for your cutlery when you are eating and mimicking your mouth opening. Consult with your doctor before starting your baby on solid food.

When it comes to the choice in food, opt for an organic food. These will be free from pesticides that are harmful to developing brains and growing bodies. Good choices to start with are mashed banana or iron-fortified rice cereal. Only ever add cereal to your baby’s bottle if instructed to do so by your GP. Adding cereal to his/her bottle does not teach him/her to eat solids, it will only cause your baby to become overweight.

Sit your baby in a high chair propped up with pillows or comfortably sitting upright on your lap. Start with a small amount of food on a baby’s spoon. Hold the spoon a good distance away from your baby and wait for him/her to open his/her mouth before feeding. Your baby might only manage one or two spoonfuls in the first feeding. Listen to your baby by watching his/her body language. If he/she is pushing the spoon away then they have had enough. If your baby has not had any, he/she might not be ready. Do not force them. Wait a few weeks and try again. Some babies like to grab the spoon that you are using to feed them. If this is the case with your baby, give him/her another spoon to hold to keep him/her happy.

When starting your baby on foods, begin with only one food. If you choose pureed apple, make sure it is just apple and not apple and pear for example. It is easier for your baby when there is only one flavour. Another reason for this is that trying one food at a time can help you identify if your baby is allergic to any food. Keep a food diary and list any reactions your baby might have. Signs of allergies can include vomiting, diarrhoea, a runny nose, a rash on the face or anus and gas. If you suspect your baby may be allergic to a food, seek medical advice.

During the months that your baby is moving on to solids, you should still be providing the usual feedings of formula or breast milk to satisfy your baby’s nutritional needs. There are certain foods that should only be introduced when your baby is at least one year old. These include eggs, honey, cow’s milk, citrus fruits and juices. The reason to wait until your baby is older for the citrus products is because they are very acidic and can cause a painful nappy rash. Cow’s milk does not provide sufficient nutrients for an infant. Honey can contain spores that are harmless to adults but might affect your baby. Eggs can cause a allergic reaction if given to young.

There are also certain foods that should only be given to your baby when he/she is two or three years old. These include any seafood or any nut products. If a family member has any allergies, your child is at higher risk of having an allergy, so take this in to consideration.

At this time you should try introducing your baby to a cup. Look for one with big handles and a lid. Give your baby water when he/she is getting used to the cup. This will avoid a sticky clean up if he/she messes. You can then move on to juices, but these must be 100% fruit juice. You might want to dilute these juices with water. Make sure your baby has less than 120ml of juice a day. The reason for this is that the extra calories do not give the same nutrition as breast milk, but they do have calories and can cause diarrhoea and contribute to your baby becoming overweight. When your baby is about nine months old, he/she will probably be ready to move away from the pureed foods and move on to chunkier textured foods.