First Foods (not before 4 months)
You have survived the first few months as a new parent and life is probably starting to take on some order at last. You are able to venture out and possibly have even enjoyed an evening out with your partner.
Your baby is in a routine (more or less) and will be starting to look for some food to complement breastmilk or formula.
By 4 to 5 months your baby will have doubled his* birth weight and from time to time your baby will have had growth spurts - one around 6 weeks and another around 3- 4 months. You will notice that he will demand extra feeds at these times. By 6 months his weight gain will be slowing down to about 150 g / week.
Breastmilk and Formula - the most important food.
Breastmilk or formula are the most important food and form the basis of your baby's diet for at least the first 12 months. Cow's milk is not suitable as it is not nutritionally balanced for babies and should not be substituted for breastmilk or formula.
Time for Solids? First Foods...
Most babies will be ready for solids around 6 months, and definitely NOT before 4 months.
Talk to your child health nurse to see if your baby is ready to start solids and look for some of these signs:
- He is able to hold his head up.
- The 'extrusion reflex' has disappeared. This is when your baby automatically pokes out his tongue when something is put in his mouth.
- Chewing movements with his mouth and chewing on everything such as his hands and toys.
- Not settling after a feed and seems to want more.
- Waking during the night when previously he had slept through.
- Watching you eat and even opening his mouth when you do.
Boy or Girl? For the sake of simplicity, we have used 'he' and 'him' in reference to the baby
