From Birth

Breast milk is best for all babies and not just newborns. However, when breastfeeding is not possible a suitable infant formula must be used. An organic infant formula is a healthy choice. Breast milk or formula is all the food that your baby will need for the first six months. It is around 6 months that most babies are ready for solids. Remember, each baby is different but will definitely not be ready before 4 months.

Around 6 months

Your baby will ‘tell’ you she/he is ready to start some foods. She will:

• be able to hold up her head
• make chewing motions 
• watch you eat
• be able to take food from a spoon
• be unsettled after a breast or bottle feed
• wake in the night when had previously slept through

Offer a small amount of food - about tsp the first day. This is a new experience for your baby so take your time and if your baby is not interested try another day.

How to start?

• Choose a time when your baby is not too tired and you can both relax and enjoy the moment.
• Take your baby on your knee and make sure both of you are comfortable.

What to give?

• Mix a tablespoon of Bellamy’s Organic Baby Rice with expressed breast milk or infant formula into a thin custard-like consistency.
• Serve immediately as the rice will thicken up on standing.
• Breast milk makes the mixed rice watery as the lactase enzyme (naturally found in breast milk) breaks down the cereal. It is still perfectly safe to feed to your baby but if it is too thin it will be difficult for baby to eat it from the spoon.
• Offer Bellamy’s Organic Baby Rice for a few days, gradually increasing the amount to about 2 tbsp.
• Choose another time of day and offer a small amount of puréed fruit (apples, pears and well-mashed banana are all very acceptable).
• Now your baby will be eating solids at 2 different times during the day.
• Offer a new food a number of times. If your baby rejects it try again the next day. Expect some funny faces as this is a new experience for your baby.
• Once a few fruits have been offered, then offer well-mashed pumpkin or other puréed vegetables in the same way. Pumpkin is easy because you can cook it yourself and mash it with a fork. Other vegetables may need to be pushed through a sieve.
• Make sure that your baby has vegetables and fruit every day.