Child

Eating tips for children babies

Last Updated Jan 7, 2009 00:58 AM

Introduce solids between four and six months of age
Breast milk or infant formula is important food for babies until at least 12 months of age, but it is essential that solid foods are also introduced at the right time. By about six months of age, a baby's iron stores are low and extra foods will be needed to prevent later nutritional problems such as iron deficiency. Start to introduce solids around six months of age - depending on the developmental needs of your child.

Starting solids too early can cause problems
Hungry babies should be offered more breast or formula feeds until they are ready for solids. Some parents want to try solids before four months, believing this may help baby grow, sleep or settle better. Giving solids too early rarely helps these problems and may lead to other difficulties including:

Greater chance of developing food allergies
Poor growth, if the solid food replaces breast milk or formula
Loose bowel actions or diarrhoea, if baby cannot digest the food.
Don't leave starting solids too late
It's also important that starting solids is not left too late, as this may lead to problems including:
Poor growth due to low energy intake
Iron deficiency anaemia
Feeding problems, particularly if not started before about seven to nine months of age.
Clues that your baby is ready for solids
When your baby starts to need the nutrients that solid food can provide, there will also be other obvious signs they are ready to try new foods including:
Watching and leaning forwards when food is around
Putting fingers in mouth
Opening the mouth when food is offered
Ability to move tongue up and down
Reaching out to grab food or spoons.

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