All babies are different. Your baby is born with his own "iron store" which lasts about 6 months. The recommended age to start solids is around 6 months, but not before 4 months. At around 6 months he needs iron and other nutrients which breast milk or formula alone can no longer provide. Heinz is the country's largest supplier of baby food products. For more information visit their website on www.heinzforbaby.com.au. Some babies may be ready before 6 months but there is no advantage giving your baby solids early.
How do I know when my baby is ready?
- He watches you eat and reaches for food
- He leans forward and opens his mouth when food approaches
- He can hold his head up and has good head and neck control
- Milk feeds alone no longer satisfy him
- The “extrusion reflex” disappears
The extrusion reflex is what happens when you give baby food on a spoon too early – his tongue pushes out and the food simply comes straight out again! This reflex disappears at around 4-6 months and your baby will be able to push food to the back of his mouth with his tongue.
Giving solids too late.
Delaying starting solids is also not a good idea because:
- Your baby may not grow adequately because exclusive milk feeds no longer provide enough nutrients and energy needed for normal growth and development
- Your baby may be prone to infections because he is not getting enough iron and kilojoules (energy). There is some readily available iron in breast milk and formula but it is not sufficient to meet baby’s iron needs after 6 months.
- Foods which contain iron are important
- Your baby needs to learn to chew for healthy jaw development.
- This helps speech development later on.
Kitchen Hygiene
For your baby's health and safety, good hygiene is very important when preparing baby's food. Always wash your hands with soap before starting to prepare food and after changing your baby's nappy. Wear a clean apron as a clean barrier between your clothes and the food you are preparing. Make sure all the utensils and work areas in your kitchen are kept scrupulously clean.
Store food for your baby at the back of the refrigerator where the temperature is coldest – not in the door. This is especially important for your baby’s bottle. If bottle feeding, make up formula immediately before use and throw out any that your baby doesn’t drink.
In the refrigerator, keep meats/chicken/fish separate from other foods, making sure that no juices drip onto other foods. Cover foods with plastic wrap or keep in covered containers. Keep an eye on how long food is kept for, and throw out after 2 days.
Use separate chopping boards for uncooked and cooked meals – especially fish, chicken and meat. Scrub your chopping boards under running hot water and air dry after use.
When re-heating food from the refrigerator, bring to boiling point, then cool before serving to baby.
Cold foods need to be kept cool – below 4°C
Hot foods need to be kept hot – above 60°C
Never leave food sitting around on the kitchen bench and always defrost your meat in the refrigerator (it usually takes 24 hours).
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