FAQs

Most likely not, but it's not a clear cut answer. I suggest making sure your baby meats the developmental signs of readiness before starting solids. They are: ➡️ Good head and neck control ➡️ Can sit up with minimal assistance (ie: they won't flop over in their highchair, and can sit for the duration of the meal) ➡️ They show interest in food ➡️ They can reach for something and bring it to their mouth

I recommend allowing the intake of their milk feeds to stay the same. This will gradually decrease over time, as your baby starts eating more solids. And if you're breastfeeding, your milk supply will adapt to the change in demand. Give milk feeds an hour before solids.

When starting solids, focus on nutrient-dense whole foods, particularly those rich in iron and zinc. These are vital for your baby's growth and brain development, and their stores begin to deplete at around six months. Great first options include meats (yes, they can be pureed!), sweet potatoes, carrots, avocado and banana.

Honey should be excluded until after one year due to the risk of botulism. Avoid whole nuts or foods that pose choking hazards like grapes, hot dogs, or chunks of raw fruits and vegetables. Unpasteurized dairy products and juices may be unsafe, as they can contain harmful bacteria. Limit added sugars, excessive salt, and processed foods, which offer little nutritional benefit. Cow’s milk as a drink should be avoided until after 12 months, but it can be used in cooking or yogurt/cheese.

Ensuring your baby is getting enough nutrients can be challenging, but there are signs to watch for. Your baby should show steady weight gain, have a healthy appetite, and meet developmental milestones. Offering a variety of foods is the best way to make sure their nutritional needs are being met. But don't hesitate to reach out to your health care provider if you are concerned.

My recommendation is to introduce an allergenic food, wait three or four days, and then offer it again, repeating this cycle 3-4 times. This will provide time and exposure to confirm that there are no apparent allergic reactions and see if there are food sensitivities. Offer one at a time. A little known fact about allergies is that it's often the second exposure that will elicit a reaction, not necessarily the first. This is why it is so important to expose bub to an allergenic food multiple times over the course of several days. Also, if your baby has a reaction within the first two hours after consumption, then it's an allergy. If they have a reaction after two hours and within three days, then it's a food sensitivity. It's best to offer these foods when baby is healthy, at home, and at the start of their longest awake period (so you can monitor for reactions).

If there is an allergic reaction: - stop offering the food immediately - wipe your baby's hands and face - call your healthcare provider. You never know how big (or small) the subsequent reaction will be (anaphylaxis rarely presents on the first exposure), which is why I recommend not offering the food again until you have spoken with your doctor.