* Start from 6 months onwards
* Signs that baby is ready for solids
:-
- starts demanding feeds more often and still seems hungry after usual
milk feed
- begins to wake more often at night and is comforted with
milk
- no longer display tongue poke reflex
- watch what you eat
with interest
- indicate through gesture and sounds their interest in
sampling whatever you are eating
- hold their mouth open and imitate
eating behaviour
6-9 months (Baby's first
Solids)- all feeding utensils should be sterilised
- rice
cereals is usually used, should look like runny yoghurt
- all fruit and
vegetables should be cooked until VERY soft and pureed to semi-liquid form
-
use formula, breast milk, pure fruit juice or boiled water to help thin
solids
- introduce new items only every 2 days and in the morning to monitor
reactions
9-12 months (Young Tummies)- good
time to introduce new foods and flavours
- solids should be part of baby's
daily diet
- when chewing more proficient, replace purees with chopped and
mashed foods
- purees should become thicker and chunkier
- start adding
fruits, yoghurts and vegetables to cereals to create new flavours
- solids
increase, milk around 400ml per day
- finger food is excellent such as rusks,
steamed and raw vegetables or breadsticks
- eggs, fish, red meats may be
introduced but WELL COOKED
Do not offer baby :-
* Nuts
* Raw or
lightly cooked eggs
* Soft or pasteurized cheeses
* Shellfish
*
Honey
* Tea
* Coffee
* Cola
12-18 months (Toddlers
treats)- may introduce cow's milk unless dietary needs
-
offer plain water as thirst quencher
- encourage plenty of fruits and
vegetables as part of meal and snacks
- may introduce yoghurt, fromage frais,
pasteurised cheese
- baby may make decision on eating stuff and
perhaps fussier
- try to be more adventurous and use garlic and herbs
-
try making creative healthy meals with lots of finger food for selection and
variety
