Bounty

Your baby has been used to having nothing other than milk for all these months, so first foods may seem a very strange experience. 

They will need a little time to get used to the idea, especially if they don’t know what to do with the food you put in their mouth!

To start weaning

To start weaning, choose a time of day when your baby is active; babies are more interested in new things when they’re alert rather than when they’re tired.

1. Choose a time when your baby is not ravenous with hunger, because she will want and expect milk. But don’t wait until she’s finished her feed, either, because then she won’t be interested. Half way through a milk feed may be a good time.
2. Hold your baby upright on your lap so she can swallow easily or sit her in her bouncy chair.
3. Offer the food on a small plastic spoon, or on the end of your clean finger.
4. A baby that’s very hungry and desperate for milk won’t take kindly to being offered other foods, so give them half the usual milk feed first.
5. Then, when they are calm, but not yet completely full, try offering a taste of solids. Sit baby on your lap, hold them upright to make swallowing easier, and offer a little bit of a very smooth runny puree on a small plastic spoon or the end of your clean finger.
6. If they are not interested wait and try again the next day.  Choose a time of day when they are not too sleepy, and are awake and alert.

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.