Nutritional Needs of 6 to 12-Month-Old Babies

When your baby is showing signs they are ready, usually at around 6 months, you can start to introduce solid foods.

• Their main source of food will still be breast milk or formula.
• Start once a day with iron-rich baby cereal or pureed meat or tofu.
• There is no exact amount for how much your baby should eat each day. Try different foods and let them guide you to when they are full.
• Texture is important. As your baby begins to take food from a spoon, move to thicker textures and soft lumps.
• By 8 to 9 months, you can give solids at breakfast, lunch and dinner. As your baby gets older, move to thicker textures and soft lumps.

Allergy foods

• You should start introducing common allergy foods from around 6 months.
• Try one type of food at a time, then wait a couple of days before trying another.
• Common allergy foods include cow’s milk, eggs, nuts, wheat and seafood.

Remember: don’t give your baby whole nuts as they are a choking hazard.