fb tracking
No Result
View All Result
BellyBelly
  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
    • Conception
    • Two Week Diaries
    • Conception Calculator
      • Conception Reverse Due Date Calculator”
      • Ovulation Calculator
      • IVF/FET Due Date Calendar
      • Conception Date Calculator
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Articles
    • Pregnancy Week By Week
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Calculator
      • Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
      • Reverse Due Date Calculator
      • IVF/FET Due Date Calendar
    • Pregnancy Journals
      • Irene’s Pregnancy Journal
      • Pregnancy Diaries
      • Diary of Ambah article
      • Diary of Belinda article
      • Diary of Rachael article
      • Diary of Sherie
      • Diary of Janelle
      • Diary of Sharon
      • Diary of Lucy
      • Diary of Kathryn
      • Diary of Julie
    • Prenatal / Perinatal
  • Birth
    • Birth Articles
    • Doulas
    • Midwives
    • Birth Diaries
  • Mothers
    • Mother Articles
    • Post Natal/Post Partum
  • Baby
    • Baby Articles
    • Baby Week By Week
    • Star Signs For Baby
  • Sleep
    • Sleep
    • Conception Sleep
    • Pregnancy Sleep
    • Infant / Baby Sleep
      • Infant Sleep
      • Baby Sleep
    • Toddler Sleep
    • Weaning / Feeding Sleep
      • Feeding Sleep
      • Bottle Sleep
      • Formula Sleep
      • Weaning Sleep
    • Child Sleep
    • Adult / Family Sleep
      • Mothers Sleep
      • Fathers Sleep
      • Family Sleep
      • Cosleeping
  • Baby Names
    • Baby Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Gender-Neutral Baby Names
    • Unique Baby Names
  • Breastfeeding
    • Breastfeeding Articles
    • Breastfeeding Week by Week
    • Lactation Cookies
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Men/Dads
  • Parenting
  • Health Lifestyle
    • Health
      • General Health
      • Cooking & Recipes
      • Meal Planning
      • Exercise
    • Lifestyle
      • Family Travel
      • Relationships
      • Men/Dads
  • General
    • Forum
    • Product Reviews
    • Competitions
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
    • Conception
    • Two Week Diaries
    • Conception Calculator
      • Conception Reverse Due Date Calculator”
      • Ovulation Calculator
      • IVF/FET Due Date Calendar
      • Conception Date Calculator
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Articles
    • Pregnancy Week By Week
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Calculator
      • Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
      • Reverse Due Date Calculator
      • IVF/FET Due Date Calendar
    • Pregnancy Journals
      • Irene’s Pregnancy Journal
      • Pregnancy Diaries
      • Diary of Ambah article
      • Diary of Belinda article
      • Diary of Rachael article
      • Diary of Sherie
      • Diary of Janelle
      • Diary of Sharon
      • Diary of Lucy
      • Diary of Kathryn
      • Diary of Julie
    • Prenatal / Perinatal
  • Birth
    • Birth Articles
    • Doulas
    • Midwives
    • Birth Diaries
  • Mothers
    • Mother Articles
    • Post Natal/Post Partum
  • Baby
    • Baby Articles
    • Baby Week By Week
    • Star Signs For Baby
  • Sleep
    • Sleep
    • Conception Sleep
    • Pregnancy Sleep
    • Infant / Baby Sleep
      • Infant Sleep
      • Baby Sleep
    • Toddler Sleep
    • Weaning / Feeding Sleep
      • Feeding Sleep
      • Bottle Sleep
      • Formula Sleep
      • Weaning Sleep
    • Child Sleep
    • Adult / Family Sleep
      • Mothers Sleep
      • Fathers Sleep
      • Family Sleep
      • Cosleeping
  • Baby Names
    • Baby Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Gender-Neutral Baby Names
    • Unique Baby Names
  • Breastfeeding
    • Breastfeeding Articles
    • Breastfeeding Week by Week
    • Lactation Cookies
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Men/Dads
  • Parenting
  • Health Lifestyle
    • Health
      • General Health
      • Cooking & Recipes
      • Meal Planning
      • Exercise
    • Lifestyle
      • Family Travel
      • Relationships
      • Men/Dads
  • General
    • Forum
    • Product Reviews
    • Competitions
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
BellyBelly
No Result
View All Result
Home Baby

Baby Starting Solids | Introduce Solid Foods

BellyBelly
by BellyBelly
Last updated August 21, 2023
Reading Time: 4 min
Baby Starting Solids Solids Advice For Baby

See also: Starting Solids For Baby which includes ideas for first foods and latest government recommendations.

The recommended age for introducing other foods into a breastfed baby’s diet has varied over the centuries. In times gone by, babies have been given a wide range of supplements from as early as the first hours after birth!

In recent years, mothers have been urged to begin starting solids at four to six months. Reasons for doing so included increasing baby’s weight gains, making the baby sleep through the night and getting baby used to foods other than breastmilk.

While these reasons, and others, may have seemed reasonable at the time, the negative impact of exposing a baby’s immature digestive system to foreign foods was not always understood. Higher incidence of food-related allergies and obesity in our population may be attributed to inappropriate infant feeding.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association has, for many years, encouraged parents to delay introducing solids until around six months of age. Therefore, ABA welcomed the recent announcement that the new Australian Dietary Guidelines just released by The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) advises that babies should receive only breastmilk for the first six months.

These guidelines outline the latest scientific evidence and mirror what our association has been saying for years – that babies should be fed only breastmilk for the first six months. Even when solids are introduced gradually, breastfeeding should continue until one year and beyond – for as long as the baby and mother desire.

The NHMRC is setting a target of 50% of mothers ‘exclusively’ breastfeeding until six months. At the moment it is under 20%. (Exclusive breastfeeding means babies receive no other foods, juice, vitamins, infant formula or other milks.)

For most babies, there is no need to add to the breastmilk diet any earlier than six months. There are good reasons for not introducing your baby to other foods before she is about six months old. Breastfed babies often reject solids, apart from ‘tasting’ them, well beyond the first year. Babies will not benefit from the introduction of solids or other fluids until they are developmentally ready.

Many mothers find they come under great pressure from others to begin solids, often much earlier than recommended. It can be very difficult to deal with well-intended advice, especially if it comes from the baby’s grandmother or other mothers. The Australian Breastfeeding Association booklet, ‘Especially for Grandparents’, can be a useful resource at times like this.

Young babies have a natural tongue thrust reflex, which causes the tongue to push out a spoonful of food. By about six months, babies start to lose this tongue thrust reflex, making it easier for them to swallow food. Giving baby solids earlier than six months does not mean giving the baby a better start. A young baby’s digestive system can’t cope well with foreign fats and proteins that are found in other milks, eggs, meat, vegetables and cereals. A baby’s kidneys cannot easily process food containing too large an amount of salt. Babies who start solids later have less chance of being allergic or intolerant to foods as their systems are more developed and are ready to take the variety of food.

Young babies do not need the extra kilojoules which solid foods may give them. There does seem to be a connection between children who are overweight in infancy and those who later have problems with obesity. Breastfed babies are less likely to become overweight.

Will Starting Solids Help My Baby Sleep Through The Night?

A common reason for starting solids has been the belief that solids will help the baby sleep through the night. There has been research into this question, and it has been found that babies will not necessarily sleep any longer on solids than on an adequate feed of milk. Some babies need more regular night feeds than others. Some babies become miserable and less able to sleep when solids are introduced early.

How can parents recognise the right time to offer other foods to their breastfed baby?

At around six months, or possibly later, your baby will let you know when she is ready for extra foods. She may seem unsatisfied even after a few days of more frequent breastfeeds. She may try to grasp food from your plate (or somebody else’s), or show an interest in eating when you do. Keep in mind though, that babies of this age (and earlier) often try to grab everything, and put things in their mouths. If this is the only indicator, you may like to wait a little longer. Let your baby take time to learn new skills. Some babies obviously relish the opportunity to try new foods. Others are very fussy and indicate their disapproval at being given food that isn’t breastmilk. If your baby does not show interest in family foods, wait a week or two before offering them again. Some babies are seven or eight months old before they begin solid foods.

Starting Solids

Starting solids – like learning to walk and talk – will happen when your baby is developmentally ready. Like these other exciting milestones there can be a lot of competition between family and friends to get there first! When it comes to eating other foods, being the first to start doesn’t make you a winner!

See also: Starting Solids For Baby which includes ideas for first foods and latest government recommendations, released 2013.

Previous Post

Birth Plan – Why Write One? Free Birth Plan Template

Next Post

Gastro in Young Children – 6 Common Causes Of Gastro

BellyBelly

BellyBelly

From pregnancy symptoms to baby names, BellyBelly will help you to feel more informed and confident about your options and choices for all things pregnancy, birth and baby. Join our pregnancy week by week or baby week by week email series and we'll be there to support you, in your inbox, every single week.

Next Post
Gastro in Young Children Gastro Symptoms and Management

Gastro in Young Children - 6 Common Causes Of Gastro

Featured Articles

how to conceive a boy

How To Conceive A Boy | 6 Special Tips to Have A Baby Boy

Last updated 5 months ago
endometriosis stage

Endometriosis Stages | Understanding The 4 Critical Stages

Last updated 9 months ago

Authors

  • Amy Cameron, RM, IBCLC
    Amy Cameron, RM, IBCLC
  • Anne Macnaughtan
    Anne Macnaughtan
  • BellyBelly Ed
    BellyBelly Ed
  • Carly Grubb B.Ed (Primary) Hons.
    Carly Grubb B.Ed (Primary) Hons.
  • Darren Mattock
    Darren Mattock
  • David Rawlings
    David Rawlings
  • David Vernon
    David Vernon
  • Dawn Reid, EEPM CNCM MMID
    Dawn Reid, EEPM CNCM MMID
  • Deborah Cooper
    Deborah Cooper
  • Desiree Spierings
    Desiree Spierings
  • Sarah Buckley
    Sarah Buckley
  • Dr. Jack Newman MD FRCPC
    Dr. Jack Newman MD FRCPC
  • Dr. Thomas W. Hale
    Dr. Thomas W. Hale
  • Emily Brittingham, IBCLC, BHSc
    Emily Brittingham, IBCLC, BHSc
  • Emily Robinson
    Emily Robinson
  • Fiona Peacock
    Fiona Peacock
  • Gloria Lemay
    Gloria Lemay
  • Graham White
    Graham White
  • Heather Hack-Sullivan CPM, LDM, BS in Midwifery
    Heather Hack-Sullivan CPM, LDM, BS in Midwifery
  • Christopher Tang
    Christopher Tang
  • Irene Garzon BSc (Hons) Midwifery
    Irene Garzon BSc (Hons) Midwifery
  • Janet Powell
    Janet Powell
  • Jared Osborne
    Jared Osborne
  • Jennifer Block
    Jennifer Block
  • Joana Camato
    Joana Camato
  • Jordan Gray
    Jordan Gray
  • Kara Wilson
    Kara Wilson
  • Karen Wilmot RM, RYT, MAEd
    Karen Wilmot RM, RYT, MAEd
  • Kelly Rennie
    Kelly Rennie
  • Kelly Winder
    Kelly Winder
Tools and Features

Tools and Features

Get your birth education video

Get your birth education video

Join our Week by Week emails

Join our Week by Week emails

Get your free ebook

Get your free ebook

Belly Belly Logo

We’re passionate about women and men feeling informed, confident and prepared for pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
  • Pregnancy
  • Birth
  • Mothers
  • Baby
  • Health Lifestyle
  • Product Reviews
  • Pregnancy Symptoms
  • Pregnancy Week by Week
  • Baby Week by Week
  • Sleep
  • Baby Names
  • Breastfeeding
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Parenting
  • Sleep Education Series
  • Breastfeeding Week by Week
  • Toddler Week by Week

OUR NETWORK

  • Belly Belly Logo
    bellybelly.com.au
  • Around the World Plus Kids
    www.aroundtheworldpluskids.com.au
  • Doula Training
    www.doula-training.com.au
  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise

© Copyright 2002–2025 BellyBelly, All Rights Reserved.

Know What's Normal For Your Baby Every Week Of The First Year

Close
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
    • Conception
    • Two Week Diaries
    • Conception Calculator
      • Conception Reverse Due Date Calculator”
      • Ovulation Calculator
      • IVF/FET Due Date Calendar
      • Conception Date Calculator
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Articles
    • Pregnancy Week By Week
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Calculator
      • Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
      • Reverse Due Date Calculator
      • IVF/FET Due Date Calendar
    • Pregnancy Journals
      • Irene’s Pregnancy Journal
      • Pregnancy Diaries
      • Diary of Ambah article
      • Diary of Belinda article
      • Diary of Rachael article
      • Diary of Sherie
      • Diary of Janelle
      • Diary of Sharon
      • Diary of Lucy
      • Diary of Kathryn
      • Diary of Julie
    • Prenatal / Perinatal
  • Birth
    • Birth Articles
    • Doulas
    • Midwives
    • Birth Diaries
  • Mothers
    • Mother Articles
    • Post Natal/Post Partum
  • Baby
    • Baby Articles
    • Baby Week By Week
    • Star Signs For Baby
  • Sleep
    • Sleep
    • Conception Sleep
    • Pregnancy Sleep
    • Infant / Baby Sleep
      • Infant Sleep
      • Baby Sleep
    • Toddler Sleep
    • Weaning / Feeding Sleep
      • Feeding Sleep
      • Bottle Sleep
      • Formula Sleep
      • Weaning Sleep
    • Child Sleep
    • Adult / Family Sleep
      • Mothers Sleep
      • Fathers Sleep
      • Family Sleep
      • Cosleeping
  • Baby Names
    • Baby Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Gender-Neutral Baby Names
    • Unique Baby Names
  • Breastfeeding
    • Breastfeeding Articles
    • Breastfeeding Week by Week
    • Lactation Cookies
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Men/Dads
  • Parenting
  • Health Lifestyle
    • Health
      • General Health
      • Cooking & Recipes
      • Meal Planning
      • Exercise
    • Lifestyle
      • Family Travel
      • Relationships
      • Men/Dads
  • General
    • Forum
    • Product Reviews
    • Competitions
  • Advertise

© Copyright 2002–2025 BellyBelly, All Rights Reserved.