Introducing Food to Babies
Your child’s nutrition during their first years is more important than at any other time of their life. In particular, the first 12 months is a time of rapid growth and development, especially for the nervous system (brain) and immune system, so it is essential that a baby’s growing body and brain are supported with the best possible nutrition during this time.
First foods are the first contact a baby will make with the world of nourishment beyond the teat. In their first year babies experience more new foods than they will during the rest of their entire lives. Food choices and eating habits are formed in early childhood, so introducing children to a variety of foods and flavours in their first five years will therefore help to develop their taste buds to enjoy a large range of different foods. This also ensures they get a healthy balanced diet as essential nutrients are found in a wide variety of foods.
Introducing your baby to food and eating is broken into three stages as follows:
STAGE ONE – First Tastes - around 6 months (not before 4 months and no later than 6 months)
First foods consists of simple, smooth purees a little thicker than breast milk of formula. Stage one lasts about 4 – 8 weeks working up to baby eating two regular meals a day.
STAGE TWO – More Texture & Variety – 7 to 8 months
This second stage includes more textured purees and food combinations. The food variety widens around this age with the introduction to finger foods. Stage two can last several months with baby eating 2-3 meals a day.
STAGE THREE – Chewing & Finger Foods – from around 8 months on
Baby can now handle less pureed and chunkier food as he learns to chew food with his gums and will be interested in more finger foods and feeding himself as his coordination develops. By now he will be eating 3-4 meals and snacks a day.
12 MONTHS + - Eating With The Family
By 12 months your child will be eating mostly the same food as the rest of the family. He will do better on smaller meals often with 3 meals and 2 snacks over the course of the day. It is important to encourage healthy eating habits and enjoyment of food shared together as a family.