How to feed your baby in the first year

Feeding your baby in the first year of life is an exciting adventure for parents and babies alike. It's about development, nutrition, curiosity, sharing and learning. Attachment also grows as you go about your daily routine with your baby.

You can help your baby develop a lifetime of healthy eating habits with the right start.

The first 6 months

For the first 6 months of life, breastfed babies will get what they need from their mother's milk.

•Breast milk has the right amount and quality of nutrients to suit your baby's first food needs.

•It is easiest on her digestive system, so there's less chance of constipation or diarrhea.

•Breast milk also contains antibodies and other immune factors that help your baby prevent and fight off illness.

•Babies who are exclusively breastfed should get a daily supplement of vitamin D, which is available as drops.

If breastfeeding is not an option, use a store-bought iron-fortified infant formula for the first 9 to 12 months. The formula should be cow's milk-based.

Introducing solid foods

At about 6 months, most babies are ready for other foods. Along with other foods, you can continue to breastfeed until your baby is 2 years and beyond.

You'll know baby is ready to start other foods when he:

•Seems hungry earlier than usual.

•Can sit up without support, and has good control of his neck muscles.

•Holds food in his mouth without pushing it out on his tongue right away.

•Shows interest in food when others are eating.

•Opens his mouth when he sees food coming his way.

•Can let you know he doesn't want food by leaning back or turning his head away.

Remember that all babies are different. Some babies may be ready a few weeks before or just after 6 months. However, waiting too long after 6 months to introduce other foods increases your baby's risk of iron deficiency.

What foods should we start introducing our baby to first?

There are many ways to introduce solid food. The first foods usually vary from culture to culture and from family to family.

•Start with foods that contain iron, which babies need for many different aspects of their development. Meat, poultry, cooked egg yolk and well-cooked legumes (beans, lentils, chick peas) are good sources of iron. Store-bought iron-fortified infant cereals such as rice or barley are also common first foods because they are good sources of iron.

•Introduce new foods one at a time, waiting about 2 to 3 days before trying another. That way, if your baby has a reaction, you'll have an idea which food might have caused it.

•There is no special order to introduce new foods to your baby. In general, it isn't recommended that you delay any food to try and avoid allergies.

Healthy foods that your family eats are good to start with as long as they are plain, with no added salt, sugar or spices. You can also use commercial baby foods, as long as you check the label to ensure there is no added salt or sugar.