What Foods To Give Your Baby When They Start Solids

Start with spoon-fed puréed foods when your baby is ready (around 6 months). Move on to mashed and chopped foods over the next few months. Offer finger foods from 7 to 8 months when your baby is able to pick them up, bring them to their mouth and chew them.

start with spoon-fed puréed foods when your baby is ready (around 6 months)
move onto mashed and chopped foods over the next few months
offer finger foods from 7 to 8 months when your baby is able to pick them up, bring them to their mouth and chew them

Pureed foods in bowls Mashed potato and meat in bowls

Small pieces of soft fruit and soft cooked vegetables

Add textures, varieties, flavours and quantities of food as your baby grows. By the time your baby is 12 months old, they’re ready to eat small amounts of many of the same foods as the family.

Remember to give your baby iron-rich foods such as iron-fortified baby cereal and/or meat.

Always prepare, or buy, baby food with no added fat, salt, sugar, honey or other sweeteners. Wait until your baby is at least 12 months old before giving them honey - it can make young babies sick.

Call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 for parenting advice, including advice about feeding your baby.

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What Foods To Give Your Baby When They Start Solids