feeding the family - coles baby club

Feeding is an area that will preoccupy you – after all, you want your baby to thrive, be well nourished and to develop well physically and mentally. At these ages you will be preparing something for baby to eat that is separate from the family meal and a great many times your efforts will go unrewarded. Don’t take it personally, and try to stay upbeat – soon your baby will be participating happily in family mealtimes and you’ll forget all the trouble you had getting there.

What you’ll need to start

• Something to blend food – though a fork works just as well if baby is happy to have some texture
• Something for baby to sit in – at the start your lap is probably easiest
• Plastic plates
• Plastic placemats
• Plenty of clothes
• Spoons for little hands – packaging will advise suitable age

Solid signs

Milk is the only food baby needs until around six months of age. Don’t be in any rush to introduce solids, and do so gradually to give you both time to adjust. You may consider introducing solids as a means of encouraging ‘sleeping through’, to help keep milk down or help space out breastfeeds – but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t do any of this. Often the best time to start is when baby tells you.

She will start to become very interested in what everyone else is eating and may try to reach for your fork. Take the cue – if it’s not successful after a week, wait a week or two and try again.

Vegetarian diet

If you are planning on raising your child on a vegetarian diet, it is important to consult your child health nurse or a dietician to discuss the implications and how to ensure your baby gets everything her growing body needs – particularly after six months when she’ll need extra iron. Good sources are leafy greens, egg yolks, beans, lentils etc.

Feeding Stages

Age	Stage	Suitable food	How Served	Suitable Temprature	Food To Avoid
0–6 months	Breast milk and infant formula	-	-	-	-
Around 6 months	Breastmilk and infant formula + introduce solids	Rice cereal, banana, apple, pear, avocado, apricot, pumpkin, potato, fruit jelly, cream cheese, full fat yoghurt	Pureed, blended	Cold, cool	Avoid anything not on the above list. Avoid anything low-fat.
By 9 months	Breast milk and infant formula + solids (about 50:50)	Can introduce bread (wholemeal), porridge, meat, beans, lentils, all fruit and vegetables	Graduate from thicker puree to mash, to soft chunks and firmer textures (e.g. toast) by nine months	Cold, cool, warm	Honey, nuts, berries and eggs. Anything low-fat
9–12 months	Solids mainly, with breast milk and infant formula offered	Can introduce eggs and berries	Graduate towards slightly bigger chunks and even firmer textures (e.g. cheese) by 12 months. Introduce self-feeding	Cold, cool, warm	Honey and nuts. Avoid anything low-fat
12 months and beyond	Solids with breast milk and infant formula offered	Can introduce honey and nuts	Graduate towards bite size pieces. Should be mastering self-feeding. Think about introducing baby to family meals	Cold, cool, warm and getting warmer	Avoid anything low-fat