Set your baby on the path to good health with nutrition that’s right for her age.
Before 6 months
If you decide to wean earlier than 6 months (after discussing it with your paediatrician)…
• DO give baby puréed cereals, fruits, vegetables, meat and yoghurt.
• DON’T give citrus fruits, foods containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley) such as bread or pasta, fish, eggs or unpas- teurised cheese — they’ve all been linked to allergies. Your baby also won’t be ready to cope with lumpy or finger food.
6 to 12 months
• DO give full-fat dairy products (yoghurt or cheese) bread, well-cooked eggs, meat, fish, beans and pulses and all fruits and vegetables.
• DON’T give cow’s milk as a drink although it’s fine to use as part of a recipe, processed adult foods (high in salt and sugar), low-fat or high-fibre products (babies need calories), honey (can cause infant botulism) or caffeinated drinks (inhibits iron absorption). Babies up to 7 months should have less than 1g of salt a day and a maximum of 1g from 7 months to a year. Don’t add it to dishes.
1 year onwards
• DO give honey, lightly cooked eggs and salt and sugar (sparingly). Mash or chop your family meals and offer a wider variety of finger foods. You can switch to full-fat cow’s milk for drinking.
• DON’T give whole nuts (avoid offering these until your child is 5 because of the choking risk) and if there’s a history of allergy in your family, avoid giving peanuts until she’s 3.
Photo: iStock
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