Is your baby ready to eat their first foods?

"The introduction of food to your baby's diet is an exciting and important milestone. Before babies are ready for their first foods, they need to develop a number of physical, cognitive, and social skills. This video is about how to know if your baby is developmentally ready for their first foods.

Your baby requires breast milk or infant formula for the first six months of life. After this time other food sources are introduced for their health and development. There is no set regime of how to introduce solids. Let yourself be guided by your baby's cues. It is not recommended to attempt before four months of age.

Waiting until your baby is developmentally ready will result in greater enjoyment at meal times as well as reducing the risk of choking. There are four main signs that your baby is developmentally ready to start solids.

1. Your baby can sit upright when supported and has good head and neck control. This will decrease their risk of choking as well as ensure that they have enough muscle control and strength to engage in feeding.

2. Your baby does not push food out when it is placed into their mouth. Babies have a protective reflex called a tongue thrust. When ready for food, the reflex will no longer be present and babies will be able to swallow the offered food. If your baby is showing other signs of readiness but still pushing food out of their mouth with their tongue you can keep trying with a tiny amount of puree every few days until the reflex is not present.

3. Your baby is intentionally watching you while eating. Your baby may also show interest in your food by leaning forward opening their mouth or vocalizing.

4. The final sign of readiness is that your baby can pick up objects and bring them to their mouth. Your baby may try to grab your food or grab your utensil and bring it to their mouth." Children's Health Queensland