At about four to six months your baby will show signs that he is ready for solid food. You will notice your baby begins reaching for objects, has more head control and is able to move food from the front of his mouth to the back.

• Your baby is not physically ready to handle solids.
• Introducing other foods before four to six months interferes with the iron absorbed from breastmilk.
• Your baby may not get enough breastmilk or formula.
• It may promote allergies.
• It may lead to overfeeding.
• It will not help your baby sleep through the night.
  

• Seat your baby in a well-supported position.
• Do not feed from a jar and then save the unused portion to be used later.
• Feed solids from a spoon, not a bottle.
• Use a small spoon. It will take a while for your baby to get used to the feel of the spoon and swallowing solid food. The first time your baby may spit out of the food or just play with it.
• Try a new food in the middle of a feeding. Your baby may be more accepting of a new taste and texture if he is not too hungry.
• Foods should be lukewarm. Start with 5 mL (1 teaspoon) and increase the amount gradually.
• Start with single foods. Avoid mixtures until all single foods are tried.
• Wait four to five days before trying another food. This way, if your baby has an allergic reaction, it will be easier to know which food caused the problem.
• If your baby rejects a new food, don't force it but try again in a few weeks.
• Expect a change in your baby's stools when you introduce solid foods.
• Introduction of solids is a progression starting with a pureed texture and progressing to lumpy or mashed, finely chopped finger foods, then table food eaten by the whole family.

Change in your baby's behaviour may not be caused by the food your baby eats. It could be teething, illness, or something else.

• Do not use honey in feeding your baby under one year of age.
• Cook all eggs well and do not use products containing raw eggs.
• Hard, small and round, smooth or sticky foods are not recommended because they may cause choking.
• Infants should always be supervised during feeding.
• Avoid using a propped-up bottle.

The following is a guide to help you select foods that meet your baby's nutritional and development needs:

These are average serving sizes.  Offer snacks as appropriate.  Serving sizes listed are in addition to breastmilk or formula.

* Breastmilk or infant formula provides the optimum nutrition for the first year or life.  If you cannot give your baby breastmilk, buy an infant formula from a drugstore or supermarket and prepare it according to the directions

** You can give your baby whole milk between 9-12 months if he is eating a total of 1 cup of many different solid foods a day.  The baby should be drinking 625-950 mL (20-30 oz.) of milk a day.  Your baby will take less milk as he eats more solid foods.

Choose snacks that provide nutrition and help your baby build new skills such as using a cup or using fingers to pick up food. Good snacks include fruit and cooked vegetable pieces, dry toast, some cereals, cheeses and yogurt.

Poor snacks provide calories but little food value. These include chips, chocolate and candies.

Babies should not be given small hard foods that may cause choking. Avoid wieners, nuts, berries, popcorn, whole grapes and raw vegetables.

Making your own baby food requires some planning and time but is easy and economical. You may need a food mill, blender or food processor as well as a measuring cup, clean jars with tight-fitting lids and ice cube trays.

• Always make sure your hands and equipment are clean.
• Clean and prepare foods. Remove the skin, pits and seeds of fruits and vegetables.
• Cook foods.
• Place food in blender and mix to desired consistency. Add extra liquid if mixture is too thick. Foods will be smoother if they are pureed when hot. To increase texture, blend for a shorter time or add less liquid.
• Fresh, frozen or canned unsweetened fruit or unsalted vegetables may be used. Do not overcook.
• Stew, broil, braise or roast meat; avoid frying . Meat may require more liquid.
• Sugar, salt, spices, butter, gravy and cream sauces should not be added as your baby does not need them. Do not add honey to any of your baby's milk or food before one year as there is a risk of food poisoning (botulism).
• Offer coarse or chunky foods as the child becomes ready.

Storage in the refrigerator

• Store in a tightly capped jar.
• Use within two to three days .

Storage in the deep freeze

• Pour puree into ice cube trays or drop tablespoons of puree onto a clean cookie sheet.
• Freeze quickly
• Bag and label with the full name and date. Store in the deep freeze for up to several months.

Defrosting and Heating

• Defrost in the refrigerator or in a bag in hot water.
• Defrost and heat only one meal portion at a time.
• Do not save leftovers for another meal.
• If you use a microwave oven to heat baby food, be very careful. A microwave oven does not heat food evenly and can cause hot spots in the food which can burn your baby's mouth and throat. If you use a microwave, use only microwave safe dishes and heat for only five seconds at a time. Stir well and test food on the inside of your wrist. It should feel warm (body temperature) and not hot.
  

Commercial baby foods provide good nutrition but are more expensive. They are convenient and sanitary.

• Choose single foods, not dinners
• Remove a small amount of food from the jar to feed your baby instead of feeding your baby right from the jar.
• Avoid foods with added sugar, salt or sauces. These have been added to suit your taste, not your baby's.
• Dessert and puddings are high in calories and are not necessary for the baby. They encourage a preference for sweet foods.
• See the section on home-prepared baby foods for storage tips.