One of the first skills mothers learn with their newborns is feeding.  Whether it be bottle feeding or breastfeeding, this skill is one that is both bonding and nutritionally nurturing.  There is something very special about feeding your baby, it is practical, it is a survival tool.  It provides nourishment and is a time when it is just mother and baby.


Between the ages of 4 to 6 months, the baby will appear to be really noticing, with great fascination, other people’s food.  They will watch with big, wide eyes as the food goes from the plate into the mother’s mouth. They may also start waking up at night wanting food as they get hungrier and hungrier trying to keep up with their rapid growth spurt! It is during this time that the bibs, spoons and baby bowls are to be taken out from their hiding place, the high chair to be put in position – it is time for food fest!

It is important to note that each baby is different.  What may be a good time to start solids may not be right for another.  Watch for the signs.  It is recommended, though, that solids definitely should have begun from 6 months onwards.  WHO (World Health Organisation) recommends that “breast milk is the best food for the healthy growth and development of infants.  Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health.”

WHO goes on to say “After 6 months, they should be fed adequate and safe complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for up to 2 years and beyond.”

It is during this period that baby will experience rapid growth and therefore needs food to keep up with its energy levels.

Baby’s iron supply may start to run low in the second half of its first year.  Hence, it is important to choose foods that are a good iron source as well as palatable for baby.

Which Foods are the Best Foods to Start My Baby On?

Iron fortified rice cereal is an excellent first food for your baby.  Rice cereal is given not so much for the kilojoules, but rather for baby’s education.  To teach them about new textures, new tastes and of course, what to do with a spoon!  After a few days of this, new foods can be added.  It is important that these foods be pureed to a very smooth texture. For example:

• Fruits e.g. pear, apple, banana
• Vegetable e.g. root vegetables such as carrot, parsnip, sweet potato

Try each new food out in the morning to check for any allergic reactions.  These foods can be given for a few days and then new ones introduced.  While meat is reserved for older infants, there is no reason why this should be so.  Pureed meats such as lamb and beef provide baby with iron that is highly available to the body.  Iron is critical to brain development, and it ferries oxygen to every cell of the body.

High iron foods include:

• Beans
• Tofu
• Green leafy veggies
• Lentils
• Beef
• Lamb
• Chicken
• Raisins

Baby Knows Best

Babies have an innate sense of knowing when enough is enough, an inbuilt food regulator.  It is important for parents to respect this and to know not to overfeed. This may discourage their inborn ability to regulate when they are hungry and when they are full.

Find a nutritionist or a naturopath in the area who can guide you through the best nutritional foods for your baby.