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Introduction to solids

The introduction to solids is an important time in a child’s life. Food habits are
established in the early years so it is vital that children receive exposure to a
wide range of food types and textures.

Solids should be commenced at around six months of age (definitely no earlier than four months). Feeding solids
too early is not recommended as your infant’s digestive and immune systems are underdeveloped. Beyond six
months, your child’s iron and zinc stores become low and hence solids are required. Signs that your child is ready
for solids include:
• Shows an interest in food and puts things in their mouth.
• Demands more frequent feeds.
• Able to suck small amounts of pureed food from a spoon.
• Sits upright when supported with good head and neck control.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q. What does it mean if my child spits out the food and won’t eat it?
A. They are either not ready for solids (look for tongue thrusting as a sign) or not yet used to the new flavour or
texture. It can take up to ten exposures to a food before they become used to it, so simply try again another day.
Q. When can I introduce cows milk?
A. Not before one year of age (use breast milk or formula) as the composition is not ideal for infants, with low levels
of iron, vitamin C and linoleic acid. Cows milk is too high in protein, salt, potassium, phosphorus and calcium,
so is not appropriate for infants as their kidneys are still underdeveloped. Only use small amounts in some family
foods after 9 months if necessary (eg. custard or cereal).
Q Should I add extra’s such as salt and sugar to my infants food to make it taste better?
A. No. Babies have more sensitive tastebuds than adults. Foods should be kept bland.
Q. Are there any foods that I should not give to my infant?
A. • Small, hard foods or foods with skin or bones are a choking risk for infants. Avoid raw or undercooked
pieces of hard vegetable (eg. carrot) or fruit, sausages, fish with bones, popcorn and nuts.
• Honey before 12 months due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum spores.
• Tea because it contains substances which bind iron and other minerals making them less available
to your child.
• Highly sweetened (eg. lollies) and salted foods (eg. canned soups, fish in brine).
Q. What additional beverages should I be giving my child besides milk?
A. When introducing solids, human milk or formula should still be the main beverage, however extra fluid may be
needed (boiled, cooled water is best). Fruit juice is not needed, but if provided, dilute it with water (maximum
of one cup of diluted juice per day). Soft drinks,
sports drinks and cordials should be avoided as these Sources of further information
can lead to dental caries, reduce your child's appetite
for nutritious foods and are high in sugar but lack Websites:
other nutrients.
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
www.chw.edu.au/parents/factsheets/fobabyj.htm
USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Centre
www.bcm.tmc.edu/cnrc/consumer/archives/solidfo
ods.htm

Books:
Kids Food Health 1
Dr Patricia McVeagh & Eve Reed, 2001
How to stay sane in your baby's first year - new
edition.
Catherine Fowler & Patricia Gornall
Obesity Report colour 20/10/04 5:31 PM Page 2

Baby Feeding Guide

Age Texture What How

months

• Liquids only. • Breast milk or infant formula only. • Feed on demand, that is, according to
0–6

your baby’s hunger.

• Liquids. • Recommended first food is iron fortified • Breast milk or infant formula is still the
• Puree rice cereal, followed by foods including: main form of nutrition and should be
offered BEFORE solids.
(smooth, no - variety of pureed vegetables
lumps). Once (eg. potato, pumpkin, carrot) • Start when your baby is happy and interested.
accepted, - variety of pureed fruits • Start with 1-2 teaspoons once per day and
progress to (eg. apple, banana, pear) lead up to several tablespoons 3 times per
6 – 8 months

mashed and day.

lumpy foods. - well cooked pureed meats
• Offer one new food at a time. Generally,
• Use breast • These foods can then be offered in the once a food type has been successfully
milk, formula mashed or lumpy form. introduced, a new type can be tried.
or water to • Keep foods separate rather than mashing
bring food to all together so your child can get used to
the correct the different tastes.
consistency. • Lidded cups should be used for fluids
other than breast milk/formula. Teaching
your child to drink from a cup can
take time.

• Liquids. • All food groups can now be provided in • Breast milk or infant formula should be
• Your child a texture suitable for your child’s provided AFTER solids. By this stage
should accept development. they are usually having milk feeds
chopped and Include: between breakfast, lunch
8 – 12 months

finger foods. and dinner.

- vegetables and fruit
• Reduce breast milk or formula intake as
- cereal based foods eg. bread, food intake increases.
pasta, cereals
• Begin to teach your child to feed
- dairy products eg. cheese yoghurt themselves (can get messy!).
(not cows milk)
• Always supervise your child when eating
- well cooked meat and meat to prevent choking.
alternatives (eg. egg yolk, fish, beef).

• All textures. • Family foods. • Foods cut up into small pieces.

• Breast milk can be continued or • Your child should be self feeding and
12 + months

replaced with cow’s milk. drinking from a cup.

• A total of 500-600ml of dairy drinks / • If you are weaning them off breast milk
foods per day (3 serves). at this stage or earlier if you choose to,
do so slowly to prevent discomfort due
to engorgement of breasts.

NOTE: If there is a strong history of allergy in your family, the introduction of cheese, yoghurt, ice cream, wheat cereal and
fish should be delayed until after 12 months of age. If there is a strong history of peanut allergy, peanut products should
not be introduced until after 3 years of age. See your Doctor and Dietitian for more information.
This is only a guide on how to introduce solids. Each child is different so may vary in what type of foods is introduced at
what stage.

Copyright © 2004 The Chilldren’s Hospital at Westmead. Copies available from www.chw.edu.au/parents/

Printing donated by Focus Press. Tel: (02) 8745 4000