Currently, around 96% of Australian women initiate breastfeeding after they give birth.

However, the percent of exclusively breastfed babies quickly declines as each month passes.

At 1 month, only 56% of babies are exclusively breastfed.

At 3 months, the number drops to 39%.

At 4 months, 27% of babies are exclusively breastfed.

By 5 months, only 15% of babies are exclusively breastfed.

Previous research and studies recommend infants be exclusively breastfed (no other food or water) until 6 months of age.

Babies should still receive breastmilk — or formula if you formula feed — until 12 months of age, despite the introduction of solid foods.

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding to continue into the second year of life (or longer), if mother and baby are happy.

As far as solid foods goes, peak health organisations such as the World Health Organization and Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends the introduction of solid foods at 6 months of age.

Why Do Babies Need Solids From 6 Months?

It can be confusing when you see baby foods marketed on shelves as ‘from 4 months of age’. This is a greedy marketing tactic, because babies can get all they need from breastmilk (or formula if you formula feed) at that age. Not only that, but it goes against recommendations from many peak organisations and authorities around the world.

It’s also important to realise that any form of introducing other foods or drinks is a form of weaning, and it may result in unintentional weaning sooner than you think. Waiting until six months, not four, gives your healthy baby the best nutrition.

Starting solids from 6 months of age:

Helps meet the growing baby’s nutritional needs
Prevents the development of allergies to particular foods in the future
Helps prevents iron deficiency
Late introduction of solids (9-12 months) may result in baby not taking to solids as well

The Australian government recommends the introduction of iron-rich solids first, as around this age the baby’s own stores of iron tend to drop and need to be increased. Solids can then be introduced at a rate and taste preference to suit your baby.

Rice Cereals As Baby’s First Solids

Processed rice cereals aren’t healthy for your baby. Not only is there nothing nutritionally beneficial in rice cereal, but they are essenitally sugars. Although many rice cereals are promoted to be fortified with iron, it doesn’t mean that it’s better for your baby.

Iron from natural sources are much better for baby’s tummy. Just like in your pre-natal vitamins, iron can cause tummy upsets and constipation, when you can easily get iron in a more readily absorbed, healthy form.

Read more about why you should avoid rice cereal as a first food. Instead, try baby led weaning, which also helps prevent issues such as babies preferring only pureed foods.

Always remember: food before one is just for fun – for the first twelve months, breastmilk or formula should be the main source of food for your baby.

Should I Offer The Breast Before Solids?

Dr Jack Newman MD, FRCPC, says: “There seems to be considerable worry when a child is starting solids about whether to give the breast first or give solid food first. If breastfeeding and the introduction of solid foods both are going well, it probably does not matter much. Indeed, there is no reason that a baby needs both breast and solids every time he eats.”

Should I Give Baby Vegetables Before Fruit?

Dr. Newman advises that there is no reason to introduce vegetables before fruit. Breastmilk is far sweeter than fruit, so there is no reason to believe that the baby will take vegetables better by delaying the introduction of fruit.

Baby Food Made From Home Or In Jars?

Homemade foods are always so much better and healthier, as unlike store-purchased foods, homemade means no preservatives and no added sugars or salt, so you know exactly what your baby is getting, minus the nasties designed to extend shelf life.

Although it may seem to be one of the most unlikely things to give to baby as one of his first foods, meat is ideal, because when baby sucks on a piece of meat (all meal times should be supervised) he wil be able to get that all important iron.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association has these suggestions for first foods:

First Foods – Fruit

Grated apple or other fruit
Piece of banana or ripe avocado
Pieces of melon or pawpaw (without seeds)
An orange quarter, minus peel and seeds;
Stone fruit with stone removed
Peeled and cored apple or pear

First Foods – Meat

A small amount of meat on a safe bone, for example a lamb chop
Fingers of grilled or baked liver or kidney
Rissoles or slices of homemade meat loaf

First Foods – Fish

Homemade fish fingers or fish cakes
Flakes of cooked fish with every bone removed

First Foods – Vegetables

Cooked green stringless beans
Cooked broccoli or cauliflower floret
Fingers of cooked potato, carrot or other vegetable
Grated raw carrot
If baby has teeth, try a piece of raw celery or other salad vegetables

First Foods – Milk Products & Eggs

Fingers of cheese; grated cheese
Yoghurt
Very soft cheeses and custard can be eaten by using other finger foods as dippers
Pieces of hard-boiled egg yolk or whole egg; strips of omelette

Avoid foods like whole nuts which can be a choking risk. It is important for you to learn what to do if your baby starts choking – our first instinct is to panic but this may startle your baby even more and make things worse.

Solids At 12 Months Of Age

By 12 months of age, your baby can eat usual family foods, along with breastfeeding if you’re continuing past the first year. This includes:

A wide variety of nutritious foods, organic if you can
Vegetables and fruits
Lean meat, fish, poultry and eggs
Full fat dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt (avoid highly sweetened products)
Drink water and avoid/eliminate juice products
Whole grains instead of processed grains.

Providing the proper nutrition for your baby does not have to be difficult; you are already providing the best nutrition possible in the form of breast milk. However, preparing your infant for the world of solid food is important as well.