feeding your baby
Feeding your baby helps them to grow up healthy and happy. It doesn’t need to be stressful or complicated.
the first six months …
For the first six months, your baby will only need breast or bottle milk. Breast milk is best for your baby, as it provides the right nutrition, protects against illness, infection and allergies, and promotes healthy growth and development.
For more information and support with breastfeeding, talk to your early childhood nurse or visit the Australian Breastfeeding Association at www.breastfeeding.asn.au.
If you are bottle feeding, always check the quantity of the infant formula is right, bottles and teats are clean and sterilised, and the temperature of the milk is safe before feeding your baby.
after six months …
When your baby is six months old, you can start feeding them some solids, starting with baby cereal and mashed fruit and vegetables. Try one type of fruit or vegetable at a time and slowly increase the variety – often the best time to do this is when your baby is relaxed and not too hungry.
As your baby begins eating two to three solid meals a day you can reduce breast feeds or milk bottle feeds. If your baby is thirsty, try giving them cooled boiled water.
At eight months, you can introduce finger foods such as grated cheese, yoghurt, stewed meat, pasta and boneless fish.
Feeding your baby can be messy! Keep a bib and face cloth handy.
Make sure you avoid feeding your baby honey, reduced fat milk, unpasteurised dairy products, salt, sugar or other flavourings, tea, fruit juice, soft drinks, goat’s milk, soy milk and cow’s milk. None of these are good for your baby unless advised by a doctor or health professional.
choking
Sit your baby up when feeding to prevent choking. Make sure you avoid small pieces of food like lollies, raw apples, pieces of meat, chicken and fish, uncooked peas, popcorn seeds and stone fruits. Don’t feed whole nuts to babies under five years.