When you start weaning, it's best to keep the first meals to single flavours so you know if any particular food upsets your baby (or if they just don't like it).

When a range of foods has been introduced you can then begin to offer mixed flavours.  Some foods are more likely to cause problems than others, so avoid them until weaning is well established and your baby is used to other solid foods.

Don’t give your baby:

• Whole or chopped nuts or seeds.
• Low fat foods.
• High fibre foods eg added bran.
• Raw or under-cooked eggs.
• Salt.
• Fizzy drinks or squashes.
• Tea, coffee or flavoured milks.
• Foods meant for adults, like gravy or sauces, which may be high in salt and additives.
• Unnecessary sugar (see below).
• Liver, if your baby is taking supplements containing vitamin A.

What to limit

• Wheat-based foods, which may contain gluten (see Q&A below).
• Breakfast cereals and rusks, which may contain gluten.
• Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons and limes).
• Fish and shellfish.
• Eggs.
• Limit foods that are high in salt, eg cheese, bacon and sausages.

Sugar with caution

Sugars are found naturally in fruits, vegetables and milk. As a general rule, don’t add sugar to your baby’s food or give them foods with added sugar – check the labels of foods you buy; only add a small amount of sugar if necessary to help make sour fruits tastier.

The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Unless otherwise advised by your health professional, solid foods in any form (baby jars, cereals or rusks) should not be started any earlier than six months.