24 weeks - www.kidspot.com.au baby’s first year update

Baby's First Year Kidspot Welcome to week 24! This Week Your Baby Is: Starting solid food Your baby's six-month birthday marks a new chapter is her diet - you can now break out the rice cereal and offer him a mouthful of solid food. Chances are that he'll screw up his face and push it back out of his mouth with his tongue. Don't be put off by your baby's reaction - this is a brave, new world after all - he has to get used to the new taste and texture, along with getting food off a spoon. In the early weeks, keep his food thin and completely pureed. Offer one food type at a time for a couple of days at a time - this way, you'll quickly pick up any potential food allergies or sensitivities. Find out when to start your baby on solid food Hot Topic: Solid food and allergies With a lot of press about the rising incidence of food allergies in our children, it's no wonder many parents feel anxious introducing solid food into their baby's diet. While it is true that food allergies and intolerances are on the rise, you can introduce new foods into your baby's diet in a way and on a timeline that can identify and minimise possible reactions. Until your baby's nine months old, refrain from introducing wheat or soy products - stick instead with iron-fortified rice cereal and low-allergy fruits and vegetables. When you do begin to introduce meat, start with chicken (steam and then shred it), and hold off on dairy products until she's twelve months old. Egg yolks can be introduced after nine months, but, again, wait until she's twelve months before you introduce egg white. Get more information about food allergies Kidspot Tip: Introducing solids successfully While it's tempting to offer your baby all the sweet foods first - apple and pear are popular first choices - try to stay away from them in the early days. Often babies who have been introduced to sugary foods early on reject the less sweet tastes of vegetables such as potato, carrot and pumpkin. Also, avoid seasoning your baby's food - he doesn't need extra salt or sugar in his food. Your baby's taste buds are more sensitive than our dulled adult ones, so he'll enjoy food that we may consider plain. And before you decide that your baby doesn't like a particular food, give him at least six tries of the new food. Many babies will reject a new flavour many times before deciding they actually like it. Find more tips on introducing solid food Join the Kidspot Baby Club for access to the best prizes and giveaways, real advice from real mums and access to a supportive, friendly Easy Recipes Healthy dinner ideas Easy entertaining Salads Snacks Quick breakfast ideas Search all recipes Your Baby Breast or bottle? Baby care advice Best baby sleep info Baby names finder Your newborn Baby activities Just for Mums Enjoy MySpot today Join Kidspot Social Browse Kidspot Market Win daily prizes Get Kidspot Daily Unsubscribe from the mailing list? Click here If this is not your correct week, please click here to change your baby's birth date. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL Use only as directed. Incorrect use could be harmful. For the temporary relief of pain and fever. Consult your healthcare professional if symptoms persist.