Introducing Solids: A Crucial Step in Infant’s Growth
Introducing solids is a crucial stage in your baby’s development. It generally begins around six months of age when babies require more than just breast milk or formula to satisfy their nutritional needs. This period is not solely about nutrition—it’s also an opportunity to establish healthy eating habits and minimise the risk of food allergies.
When to Start
The current recommendation is to start introducing solid foods around six months, while continuing to encourage breastfeeding. It’s advised to avoid introducing solids before four months of age. Children who are breastfed during these early months of life are noted to have a lower risk of allergies in the first two years. Their digestive systems are also not prepared to accept solid foods before four months of age. Your baby may be ready for solids if they can:
- Sit upright with support.
- Express interest in food and reach out for food.
- Have good head and neck control.
- Open their mouth when food is offered.
What to Introduce Early
In the past, certain foods, such as peanuts, eggs, and shellfish, were avoided during the first year. However, we now understand that introducing these foods early (after 6 months) can help reduce the risk of allergies, particularly for children at higher risk, such as those with eczema or a family history of allergies.
Key foods to introduce before 12 months.
Cereals – bread, crackers, pasta.
Grains – wheat, rice, oats, corn
Vegetables and fruits – grated, cooked, pureed, or mashed.
Peanuts and tree nuts (cashew, almond) – in smooth, safe forms like peanut butter, not whole nuts.
Eggs: Begin with a well-cooked egg – start with the yolk and then introduce the white later. This can be started as early as 6 months, according to current research.
Fish and shellfish: Boiled or soft-cooked forms are good starting points
Dairy: Small amounts of yoghurt or cheese can be included, though cow’s milk as a drink should be avoided until after 12 months.
Meat and legumes – peas, lentils, tofu
Soy, Sesame, wheat
Water from 8 months
Practical Tips
- It’s essential for mothers to include common allergens in their diets, such as peanuts and seafood, as traces can pass into breastmilk and help the baby develop tolerance.
- Introduce one new food at a time in the morning and wait a few days before adding another. This lets you monitor for any reactions.
- Introduce allergenic foods even if there is a significant family history of allergies or severe eczema, despite the higher risk of developing eczema.
- Begin with soft, mashed, or pureed foods (ex, vegetable purees) and gradually increase textures as your baby develops. The introduction of new foods should align with the appropriate developmental stage to minimise the risk of choking on chunky foods if the child isn’t prepared for them. Lumpy or finger foods can be introduced at around eight months.
- Solid foods can be introduced in any order. However, it’s advisable to introduce iron-rich foods around six months, such as fortified cereals, fish, well-cooked eggs, tofu, and legumes like chickpeas.
- Peanut paste or a hard-boiled egg can be added to the child’s usual food in the initial days. For example, begin with a quarter of a teaspoon. The amount can then be gradually increased, perhaps by half a teaspoon.
- Applying a small amount of food to the baby’s lip can be a helpful starting point in certain situations. However, avoid rubbing food into the baby’s skin due to the risk of developing an allergy to that food later.
- Offer the newly introduced food at least twice a week. If the food is not administered regularly, a child can develop an allergy to it.
- If the child doesn’t show interest initially, introduce it again after a few days.
- Encourage families to share meals to help children try a variety of foods. The goal is for children to eat whatever the family eats by the time they are 12 months old. The variety of food will ensure that the child receives all the necessary vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
- Offer iron-rich foods early on—like pureed meats, lentils, and iron-fortified cereals.
- Avoid honey before 12 months due to the risk of botulism.
- Don’t add salt or sugar to a baby’s food.
- Despite following all these measures, some children can still develop food allergies.
Managing food reactions
If a reaction occurs (such as swelling of the lips, eyes, or face), stop giving the potentially allergenic food and seek medical advice. If there are severe reactions, such as difficulty breathing, paleness, or dizziness, call an ambulance immediately. Food reactions typically happen within a few minutes to two hours; however, some food-related reactions can be delayed. Minor redness around the mouth is typically caused by a skin reaction rather than an allergy.
In Summary
Weaning is more than just giving solids—it’s a window of opportunity to shape lifelong eating habits and support healthy growth. Introducing a variety of foods, including potential allergens, from around 6 months of age is now recommended. As always, if you’re unsure, speak to your child’s health nurse, GP, or paediatrician.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only. Please consult your primary care physician for advice.
Suggested resources
https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-prevention/ascia-how-to-introduce-solid-foods-to-babies