Solids

The short definition

Solids are the first foods a baby eats alongside milk. In Australia they start at around 6 months, and milk keeps going the whole time.

What it actually means

Breast milk or infant formula is the only food for around the first 6 months. Where breastfeeding is not possible, infant formula is the safest alternative for a baby under 12 months.

From around 6 months, babies are offered a range of foods suited to where they are up to. Breast milk or formula continues while those foods are introduced.

First foods are iron-rich. The range and the amount build up, so that by 12 months bub is eating a wide variety of family foods.

"Around 6 months" is a recommendation for babies in general, so a few weeks either side is still around 6 months. Four months is not where the Australian recommendation starts. Starting solids before 4 months is linked to a higher risk of being overweight later in childhood.

Where Dadda will hear it

From everyone, at about four months, all with a different answer. Around six months is the Australian one.

Not to be confused with

Weaning. In Australia "weaning" usually means stopping milk feeds. Starting solids is not stopping milk.

Also look at

• The full item: high chair
• The full item: feeding gear for solids
• Is this normal at this age?