Feeding guide for new babies
Each baby is unique, and there is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to feeding your baby. The following is a guide to help you on the way.
Until your baby is four months old, breast milk or infant formula is all that they need. It is not advised to start feeding solid before 4 months old without medical advice.
But once your baby reaches between four and six months of age, they will be ready to start eating solids, in addition to breast milk or formula, which will still make up the basis of the diet.
Remember, breast milk or formula is still the most important food for baby in these first few months. If you have any worries or concerns, don't hesitate to consult your Health Professional for advice.
There are a range of cues that indicate when your baby is ready to start on
sold food. These include:
- Baby can hold its head up, and has good control of head
- Baby frequently puts hands and toys in its mouth
- Baby may lean forward, or reach for food or parent's hand
- Baby's mouth opens easily when a spoon touches its lips, or as food approaches
- The tongue does not protrude, food stays in the mouth and is moved to the back of the mouth and swallowed
From four months onwards, you can introduce solids for your baby to sample after his or her milk feed. You can try:
- Rice-based, iron-enriched infant cereal mixed smooth with boiled, cooled water, or breast milk or formula.
- Cooked and pureed apple, pear, apricot, peach, nectarine. Raw, ripe mashed banana, mango. (Tinned fruit may be used).
- Cooked and pureed pumpkin, potato, kumara, carrot, marrow, courgette(zucchini).
- Raw, mashed avocado.
Remember to remove skins and seeds from fruits and vegetables. Our Tips for Feeding Solids Guide also includes step by step instructions for food preparation, and introducing your baby to solids.
For further advice, ring our toll-free number to speak to a registered
Dietitian at 0800 688 742, post a question in our Ask the Dietitian section of
this site or consult your Health Professional.
Click on link below to download file:
Feeding and Solids Guide.pdf
