Healthy first foods for your baby

Healthy and nutritious first foods for your growing baby Recipes can be adapted to suit changing tastes and needs as your child grows.

4-6 months

Babies have a natural supply of iron from birth, however, at around 4 months of age this natural supply would have declined and they will need to obtain this from sources other than milk.

A baby cannot properly digest foods other than breast or milk formula before the age of 4 months, so it is important not to introduce solid foods before at least this age. If you have concerns that your baby may appear to be needing more before this age, then discuss this with your health visitor.

There are foods that cannot be easily digested and in some circumstances they can cause allergies or reactions, especially if there is a history of this in the family. Foods that are known to be best avoided up until the age of 6 months include: Cows Milk, Eggs, gluten (this is in wheat, barley and rye, nuts and citrus fruits.

To start you baby on solid foods you should start by introducing the smallest amounts of very finely pureed food a little at a time. Pureed fruit or baby rice made with your baby’s usual milk is a good starter.

Remember that this is an entirely new experience for your little ones, they are used to milk, this first food has a different texture and taste, they may spit it out at first, but don’t fret they will get used to it.