-
Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
How to transition from breastfeeding to baby food?
Related Topics
It is time to wean my baby off of breast milk… any tips? Should it be a very gradual transition to baby food? -
Find a professional to answer your question
Find a professional to answer your question Search Now
-
Joy Anderson
Dietitian, Nutritionist
Joy is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist, as well as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She has a special interest in … View Profile
Solid foods can be introduced from around 6 months of age but breastfeeding can continue for as long as both mother and child desire. When first introduced, solids are not for filling the baby up but for learning about tastes and textures. Solids should be fun for your baby. For the first few months after starting solids, breastmilk (or formula if not breastfeeding) will supply virtually all the nutrients your baby needs. Gradually your baby will begin to swallow more solids and they will become a more significant part of the diet. Even at 12 months, breastmilk is still the major source of nutrition in a breastfed child.
There are two main ways to begin solids. One is the Western traditional way of spoon-feeding purees. If your baby is about 6 months or older, you will only need purees for a few days or a week, and then move onto mashed food. Take care not to feed too much and replace milk too quickly. The other way is called ‘baby-led solids’ (or ‘baby-led weaning’ in the UK where the idea is being promoted from) where from 6 months, babies can handle pieces of soft food and learn about feeding themselves. Some mothers do a mixture of the two ways.Report this post
You must be a HealthShare member to report this post. to your account or now (it's free).
