WHEN TO INTRODUCE SOLID FOODS
The World Health Organisation states that breastfeeding should be continued exclusively for the first 6 months of your baby's life, as it will provide the best nutrition and start in life for your baby.
From 6 Months Onwards is the recommended age for introducing solid food to your baby's diet to help compliment breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
This is the time to encourage your baby to explore and enjoy the tastes of nutritious foods. You will know if your baby is ready when:
- He/she is demanding more milk more frequently (i.e. milk feeds are no longer satisfying him/her and are not lasting 3-4 hours between feeds)
- He/she is still hungry after each feed
- He/she wakes up in the night, when previously sleeping right through the
night (not a usual sleeping habit)
- He/she can hold his/her head up
Before 6 months
Your baby is not ready for solids as he/she cannot produce the enzymes that are necessary to digest food properly and you may also run the risk of damaging your baby's immature kidneys. Baby is also at an increased risk of developing allergies if solid foods are introduced too early.
Introducing solids too early can also disturb your baby's sleeping patterns and reduce the amount of milk your baby should be getting at this time to meet his/her nutritional requirements.
It is important to remember that not only is starting too early with solids or complimentary foods undesirable, so is starting too late.
If you have any queries with regards to the needs and readiness of your baby for solid foods or if your baby is still hungry after a complete milk feed, do consult with your health visitor or other health care professional for weaning advice.
