Starting solids is an exciting milestone in your baby's development. It’s a time of exploration, new tastes, and a shift in feeding routines. For breastfeeding parents, this transition raises questions about how breastfeeding fits into the new schedule and what changes to expect. It’s important to remember that your baby’s usual milk should be continued during this period as it is still the major source of nutrition.
Introducing solid foods to your baby is an opportunity to help support healthy eating habits. Rapid growth in childhood requires good nourishment, and a well-balanced diet may help reduce the risk of many diet-related diseases. Like adults, older babies need food from a variety of food groups to ensure adequate intake of nutrients. By starting with a healthy and balanced diet, your baby will benefit at each stage of their development.
Current guidelines from the World Health Organisation recommend introducing solids at around six months of age. At this stage, most babies show signs of readiness, such as sitting up unassisted, having good head and neck control, and showing interest in food. While some babies may be ready slightly earlier or later, it's important to look for these developmental cues rather than strictly adhering to an age guideline.
Signs of readiness
Every baby is unique and will develop in their own time. However, there are some signs that may indicate a baby is ready to eat solid food.
Here are some common signs your baby is ready for solids:
- Sucking their fingers or fists
- Have lost their ‘tongue thrust’ reflex
- Showing signs of appetite changes
- Seemingly less satisfied with milk feeds alone
- Sitting up unassisted: Your baby should be able to sit up without support. This indicates that their digestive muscles are strong enough to handle solid foods.
- Good head and neck control: Your baby should be able to hold their head steady and turn it away if they’ve had enough food.
- Becoming more interested in your food: If your baby is reaching for your food and seems curious about what you’re eating in conjunction with the signs above they may be ready to start solids. Many babies start to show an interest in what they are eating around 4-5 months but this on its own does not mean they are ready to start.
How does starting solids impact breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding remains a crucial part of your baby’s diet even after introducing solids. It is important to understand that breastmilk (or formula) will remain the main source of nutrition for your baby until around 12 months of age. Solids up until this point will offer complementary nutrition. So how can you continue to support breastfeeding whilst introducing solids? We asked our inhouse lactation consultant Kate for her tips.
Prioritise breastfeeding: When first starting on solids it is important that you continue to offer breast milk before offering solid foods to ensure you baby is still taking a good volume of milk. As your baby progresses with their solids journey you can be flexible about whether milk is before or after feeds. The aim is that by 10-12 months they are taking a balance of both.
Gradual introduction: Start with one solid meal a day, gradually increasing to two or three meals. Begin with small portions, such as 1-2 teaspoons (or one -two slices of finger food if you are doing baby led weaning), and slowly increase as your baby shows more interest and ability to eat more.
Nutrient-Dense Foods: Introduce nutritious first foods to your baby such as bone broth, avocado, root vegetables, coconut cream, liver, pasture-raised organic meat, and bone marrow. These can be served alone, mixed with vegetables, or pureed to create healthy and delicious meals.
There is no specific right time of day to introduce solids to your little one, it is about what works best for your family and your little one. Selecting a time where your baby is not overtired and has already had a milk feed, often this is around mid-morning.
Starting solids is a significant step in your baby's feeding journey. With careful planning and attention to your baby's cues, you can smoothly integrate solids into their diet while continuing to enjoy the breastfeeding relationship. Some babies may take to solids faster than others, the aim is by 12 month of age your baby is well established on solids and eating 3 meals per day. Breastfeeding beyond 12 months continues to complement their nutritional needs alongside offering comfort and connection. If you have concerns at any stage you can change up your approach or seek some further support.
Enjoy this time with your baby, and remember that you can always seek advice from your child health nurse or doctor if you have any questions.
When to Introduce Cow’s Milk
Australian guidelines do not recommend regular cow’s milk as the primary milk drink until your baby is at least 1 year of age. However, small quantities of regular, full-cream cow’s milk may be used in cooking or when mixing cereal for your baby.
Regular cow’s milk contains very little iron, an essential mineral for babies in the first year. Iron carries oxygen in the bloodstream and is essential for supporting growth. By 6 months of age, the iron that was stored before birth begins to deplete. That’s why it is important to include iron-rich foods in your child’s diet, to minimise the risk of iron deficiency.
Regular cow’s milk is also low in other important vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin C and essential fatty acids. It also contains too much sodium (salt) for babies.
Recipe: Baked egg custard cups
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
2 egg yolks
1 TBSP ground flaxseeds
1/2 cup breastmilk (or formula or any other kind of milk)
Optional extra: desiccated liver powder
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180c bake (not fan)
2. Mash banana in a bowl, add all the other ingredients and stir until combined and no clumps.
3. Allow to sit for a few minutes and then stir again
4. Place the mixture either in silicone muffin tins or small oven proof ramekins (I used egg cups) and place into a baking dish.
5. Fill the baking dish with water until it’s half way up the egg cups.
6. Place in oven for 20-25 mins, check at 20 mins with a knife, if it comes out clean it’s ready.
7. Serve or place in fridge until ready to serve
Recipe credit boob to food
Where can you get support
Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand can help you find a lactation consultant near you.
Ask your GP, midwife, obstetrician, or healthcare provider to connect you with a lactation consultant locally.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association have many resources available including a 24-hour helpline for new mamas, face-to-face workshops, and online classes.
