Starting Family Foods - Introducing your baby to solid foods

Summary

Both the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Infant Feeding Guidelines (2012) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Exclusive Breastfeeding Statement (2011) recommend introducing solid foods at around 6 months.

There are no benefits to introducing solid foods before this time.

Introducing solid foods too early can cause problems such as:

• decreased breastmilk production
• increased exposure to germs
• increased load on your baby’s kidneys
• constipation from poor digestion

If you feel your baby needs to start solids before 6 months of age, contact your local Child and Family Health Nurse or General Practitioner.​​

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