Breast milk is a complete source of nourishment until four months of age. Baby can have her first taste of solids at around 4 to 6 months of age.

It is however important to introduce solid foods by six months because at about this time a baby's own iron stores may start to become depleted, and she begins to need extra nutrients and calories from food sources other than milk.

The following signs could tell you that baby is ready:

• Baby is not sleeping through the night
• Baby is not satisfied with only breast milk and formula
• Weight gain has slowed compared to previous weeks
• Baby holds her head up and chewing movements have begun

When you start your baby on solids - homemade or off-the-shelf - here are a few tips that could make the transition from breast milk to baby food easier.

• Rice cereal is recommended as the very first step, as it is least likely to provoke an allergy
• Start with 1 and a half to 1 teaspoon of cereal mixed with milk once or twice a day. Gradually increase to 3 teaspoons or until your baby is full.
• Start with a thin, slurry mixture and gradually thicken as your baby gets older
• Solids should be fed mixed with milk and with a spoon, not in a bottle
• Do not add sugar to baby cereals
• Introduce vegetables 2 - 3 weeks after you start giving cereal, and fruit 2 - 3 weeks after that
• Introduce one food at a time, and wait for 3 - 5 days between introducing new foods. This will let you see if baby is allergic to any new food.
• Sometimes, baby may react negatively to a new food, but will probably accept it later
• Good solids for this stage are rice cereal, single (unmixed) vegetables and fruit
• Let your baby's appetite be your guide. If she closes her mouth, scowls, turns her head or cries, she is indicating that she has had enough to eat

Overall Rating

Currently 1.5/5 Stars.