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<h1>Breastfeeding - www.breastfeeding.org.nz</h1>

Introducing solids


When can I give my baby solids?


Babies should be exclusively breastfed (that is breast milk only) until they are ready for and need extra food – this will be at around six months of age.

When a baby is ready, introduce them to appropriate complementary foods (solids) and continue to breastfeed until they are at least one year of age, or beyond.

Use the physical and eating skills list below to recognise when a baby is ready for complementary foods (solids). The list also gives hunger and fullness cues so mothers can recognize when their baby is hungry and full. There are also examples of foods to start with.

Physical Skills
  • When placed on stomach, holds head up, supports weight on forearms, and pushes up on arms with straight elbows
  • When sitting on person’s lap, holds head up, keeps head controlled when tipped, sits with less help and reaches out for toy
  • Puts hands and toys frequently in mouth, explores fingers, thumbs and fists with great interest.

Eating Skills
  • Shows signs of chewing movements
  • Opens mouth easily when spoon touches lip or as food approaches
  • Has no tongue extrusion reflex (i.e., tongue does not protrude) and moves gently back and forth as food enters mouth
  • Keeps food in mouth, moves food to back of mouth and swallows rather than recycles

Hunger and Fullness Cues
  • Seems hungry after the milk feed
  • When hungry or wants more food, frequently cries, leans forward as food approaches, reaches for food or caregiver’s hand, and opens mouth
  • When satisfied or wants to stop eating, turns head or body away from food, loses interest in food, pushes food or caregiver’s hand away, closes mouth, looks distressed or cries

Appropriate textures and flavours
  • Puréed foods
  • Offer complementary foods after the milk feed
  • Introduce new foods one at a time, starting with thin purées and gradually thickening consistency as tolerated
  • Introduce new flavours

Examples of early foods
  • Iron-fortified baby cereal
  • Cooked and puréed meat (e.g., beef, lamb or pork, chicken, or fish) or cooked and puréed vegetarian alternatives (e.g., legumes)
  • Plain rice, congee
  • Cooked and puréed vegetables without skins, pips or seeds (e.g., potato, kumara, pumpkin, cassava, tapioca, manioke(a)
  • Puréed fruit without skins, pips or seeds, cook to soften if necessary before puréeing (e.g., apple, pear, mango)
  • Age-appropriate commercial infant foods

Liquids
  • Breast milk
  • Infant formula
  • Water

More information

 See related Health Education resources: See related Food and Nutrition Guidelines:
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Page last reviewed: 31 July 2008


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