Baby’s first foods

From birth to 12 months

For mums, dads, families and carers
What age do I give foods to my baby?

• Until around 6 months old,

breast milk or baby formula is all
your baby needs.

• At around 6 months old,

but not before 4 months,
start to give baby a variety
of healthy foods. Start with
iron-rich foods.
 Should I keep breastfeeding if
I give my baby food?
Yes. At around 6 months, give your
baby breast milk or infant formula
followed by their first foods.

What if my baby was born preterm?

If your baby was born preterm, you may
need to talk to your health professional
before giving your baby food.

Please see your health professional often. This could mean your doctor, child health
nurse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or multicultural health worker, or dietitian. 1
What age do I give foods to my baby?
How do I know my baby is ready for foods?

When your baby is around 6 months old, they will show you signs
that they are ready for their first foods.

Baby must be able to hold

their head up by themselves
and sit up with support (e.g.
on your lap or in a high chair).

Other signs to look for:

 Is your baby picking toys up and
bringing them to their mouth?

Is your baby reaching for food and

getting excited when watching
you and your family eating?

Is your baby opening their

mouth when food or a spoon
touches their lips?

If your baby is around 6 months old and having trouble

starting their first foods, talk to your health professional. 2
How do I know my baby is ready for foods?
How much food do I give my baby?

Meal times are fun and can be messy.

Give baby time to enjoy the smell and feel of food.

• At around 6 months, give your baby their breastfeed

or infant formula followed by their first foods.
• At the start, offer only a small amount of food.
• Start with one meal per day when baby is most
hungry. Slowly build up to 3 times a day.
• By 12 months aim to offer 5 small meals over the
day, with breastfeed or milk offered afterwards.
• Every baby will eat different amounts.
To grow healthy eating habits, do not force feed
your baby or use food as a reward or bribe.
Did you know
• Baby will show signs when they have
had enough. They might look sleepy,
turn their head or close their mouth.
• Family meal time is important. Your
baby will learn how to eat and enjoy
meals by watching you and others.
• TV and mobile phones distract babies.
Turn them off.
• Your baby’s bowel motions (poo)
will change when you give them their
first foods. If you are worried, talk
to your health professional.

Always stay with your baby when they are eating to

make sure that they are safe and do not choke. 3
How much food do I give my baby?
What foods do I give my baby?

Offer baby a wide variety of healthy foods.

You can try them in any order.
Include iron-rich foods every day to help baby grow well, such as
lean meat and legumes, baby cereal with iron, green leafy vegetables.

NO ADDED
Lean meats and legumes (iron-rich): SALT

beef, lamb, pork, goat, kangaroo,

eggs, bush meats, chicken, fish, tofu,
chickpeas, canned beans, nut pastes. SMOOTH

Vegetables: avocado, sweet potato,

pumpkin, taro, yam, broccoli,
cucumber, cabbage, spinach.
Fruit: banana, pear (peeled),
paw paw, watermelon, kiwi fruit,
oranges, stewed apple.

Grains and cereals: rice, plain

noodles, pasta, bread, damper, wraps,
oats, polenta, baby cereal with iron.

Yoghurt and cheese.

For a healthy baby, offer a variety of foods and follow their hunger cues.
Your baby only has a small tummy and it can fill up fast.

Choose first foods with different colours, textures, smells and flavours.
Your baby may need to try a new food many times before they like it. 4
What foods do I give my baby?
How do I prepare my baby’s food?

At around 6 months old

Start with soft and smooth foods. Make food more lumpy as baby grows.
• Foods should be well cooked.

Smooth Mashed Soft foods and

finger foods

Blended meat Mashed avocado and Tuna, tomato

and veggies scrambled eggs and veggies

At around 8 months old

Start to give your baby finger foods to hold.
They may need your help at the start.
• Your baby is still learning to chew.
Make sure the finger foods are soft so your baby does not choke.

Soft cooked Well cooked Soft cooked

At around 12 months old

Family foods are best to give your baby.
• Your baby can be eating the same foods as the rest of the family.
Help your baby by cutting up the meal.

Pasta bake: Mince and

mince, pasta, vegetables:
tomato, carrot, mince, broccoli,
zucchini, basil carrot, potato,
spinach

If you are worried about how much your baby is eating or want more tips
on how to prepare your baby’s food, talk to your health professional. 5
How do I prepare my baby’s food?
What about baby food bought from the shops?

Baby food in jars, cans and squeezy pouches

should not be the only food you give your baby.
• They are okay to give your baby sometimes.
• They do not give your baby a variety of colours,
textures, flavours and smells like home-made food can.
• Use a spoon whenever you can.

If you buy baby food from the

shops, choose baby foods with
vegetables and meats.

Avoid desserts, custards and

fruit bars. They are high in
sugar and low in iron.
Home-made food can be
healthier for your baby and
is often cheaper than baby
food in jars or pouches.

Using spoons, forks, fingers

and cups helps healthy eating
skills grow.

If you need help choosing the right foods and reading food labels,
ask your health professional. 6
What about baby food bought from the shops?
What drinks do I give my baby?

Until around 6 months old

• Breast milk or baby formula is the only
drink that your baby needs.

From around 6 months old

• Keep giving your baby breast milk
or infant formula.
• Do not give cow’s milk as a drink until
baby is 12 months old. Small amounts
can be added to food (e.g. mashed potato).
• Offer small amounts of cooled boiled water.
At first they will need
Increase the amount as baby grows. 2 hands and there
• Try using a cup. will be some spills!

After 12 months old

• Offer clean tap water every day.
• Continue to give breast milk for as
long as you and baby want.
• Baby can start having full fat
cow’s milk as a drink.
• Baby does not need ‘toddler milks’.
• Talk to your health professional before
giving other milks like oat, almond,
coconut or rice milk.

What do I avoid giving to my baby?

• Do not give sugary drinks. They can
rot your baby’s teeth and lead to an
unhealthy weight.
– This includes fruit juice, ‘baby’ juice,
cordial, soft drink, sport or energy
drinks, flavoured milk, condensed milk.
• Do not give a bottle or cup to your baby in
bed and never prop baby up with a bottle
or cup. It is unsafe and baby may choke.
• Never add food to a bottle. Talk to your
health professional if you need advice.

Did you know babies can only have low or

reduced fat milks from the age of 2 years? 7
What drinks do I give my baby?
What foods do I avoid giving my baby?

Some foods are unsafe for your baby and can make them choke
• Do not give popcorn, whole sausages, sausage skin, whole grapes,
cherry tomatoes, marshmallows, pieces of uncooked apples or
carrot and other hard foods.
• Do not give whole nuts, which can include cashews, macadamia nuts,
peanuts, almonds, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, and nut bars.

Do not give honey

• Honey is not good for babies under 12 months old.
It may lead to botulism, which can make your baby very sick.

Food has lots of natural flavour. You do not need to add

salt, sugar or sauces to baby’s foods to make them tastier.

Sauces can have a lot of

added salt. They are not good
to give to your baby. Avoid:
• Soy, ready-made sauces
like pasta, curry, stir-fry,
tomato or BBQ sauces.
• Gravy mixes and stock
cubes or liquids, instant
soups and noodles.
Too much sugar is bad for your Too much salt is bad for your
baby. It can rot their teeth and baby’s kidneys and heart.
lead to an unhealthy weight.

SOFT DRINK
LEMONADE

JUICE

SAUCE

SAUCE
JAM

SOY
What about fat?
• Some high fat foods are bad
for your baby’s heart and
lead to an unhealthy weight.
• Cut the fat and skin off
meats and chicken.

If you are not sure what foods to give your baby,

ask your health professional. 8
What foods do I avoid giving my baby?
How do I keep my baby’s food safe?

Food safety is important for the whole family.

Babies can get very sick, very quickly.

Always wash your hands before

and after making food for your
baby and family.

Preparing food safely

• Wash all fruits and vegetables.
• Keep raw meats away from
other foods. Use a separate
cutting board for raw meats,
chicken, fish and seafood.
• Cook all foods really well
– Make sure meats are
not pink.
– Make sure seafood is
well cooked.
– Cook eggs until the white is
completely set and the yolk Try your baby’s food first to
begins to thicken. make sure it is not too hot.
• Remove all bones from meats, Never share your spoon with
chicken, fish and seafood. your baby. It can spread germs.
Check for small bones with
your finger.
Storing food safely Mum, Dad, family and carers:
• Use leftovers within 2 days. • Check the expiry date of food
Only reheat baby’s food once being used.
and throw the rest away. • Always wash your hands before
• Make sure raw meats, chicken and after feeding your baby.
and seafood are not dripping on • Have clean kitchen benches.
other foods in the fridge.
• Wash up with hot, soapy
• Put all ready-to-eat food in a water. Rinse with clean water
sealed container in the fridge and air dry.
or freezer. Make sure cooked
• Follow instructions for
food has stopped steaming first.
sterlising bottles.
• If you do not have a fridge,
• Keep pets out of the kitchen.
store food in an esky with ice
and close well.

Freezer
Bread Cooked Foods
(3 Months) (2–3 Days)
Raw Meat
(2–4 Months) Meat
Place in the fridge (3–4 Days)
the day before
cooking to defrost.
Eggs
(3–4 Weeks)

Fruit and
Milk Vegetables
(5–7 Days) (3–4 Days)

Ask your health professional for bottle

sterilising methods and food safety tips. 9
How do I keep my baby’s food safe?
Other frequently asked questions

What about foods that may cause an allergy?

• Current advice is to give your baby their first foods not too early or
not too late. Give your baby their first foods at around 6 months old,
but not before 4 months.
• You can give your baby different foods in any order, including
smooth nut pastes, cooked seafood and cooked whole eggs
from around 6 months old.

Can I give my baby peanut butter and other nut spreads?

• You can give your baby smooth peanut butter and other nut or seed
spreads from around 6 months old.
• Choose natural spreads with no added salt or sugar.

Can I give my baby egg, and should I give them the

yolk or white section of the egg?
• You can give your baby cooked, whole eggs from around 6 months old.
• Cook eggs until the white is completely set and the yolk begins to
thicken. Do not give raw eggs or any food that contains raw eggs.
This includes deep-fried or home-made ice-cream, or mayonnaise.

Is seafood and fish okay for my baby and when

should it be given?
• Seafood is safe for most babies. You can give seafood to your baby
from around 6 months old. Make sure you remove all the bones first.

Do not restrict or limit your baby’s food unless told to

by your health professional.
What about mercury in fish?
• Many types of fish contain mercury. These fish can include swordfish,
shark (flake), tuna or barramundi.
• Too much mercury is bad for your baby’s growth and development.
• This means that your baby can only have fish that contains mercury
sometimes (no more than once per week).

Can I add spices, herbs, and salt to my baby’s meals?

• Spices and herbs are okay to add to your baby’s meal in small amounts.
• Do not add any salt to your baby’s meals. Some ready-made spice
mixtures may be high in salt. Do not add them to your baby’s meals.

What about baby-led weaning?

• It is a way of giving first foods by simply letting your baby feed
themselves.
• Talk to your health professional before trying baby-led weaning.
• You should never leave your baby alone while they are eating.
Stay with your baby to make sure that they are safe and do not choke.

Talk to your health professional if you have questions about

giving your baby their first foods. 10
Other frequently asked questions including allergy prevention
Where do I find help and advice?

13 HEALTH
Mum, dad, family and carers can call 13 HEALTH about any health
concerns you have for you or your baby. Ask for a child health nurse.
www.health.qld.gov.au/13health/

Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)

This helpline and website provides mum, dad, family and carers with
practical mum-to-mum support and breastfeeding information.
Call: 1800 686 268 or
www.breastfeeding.asn.au

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

(ASCIA)
This website provides helpful information on allergies,
including food allergies.
www.allergy.org.au

Child Health Information:

Your guide to the first 12 months
This booklet provides helpful information for mum, dad, family and
carers on the first 12 months of your baby’s life. It can be found in the
Queensland Health ‘Personal Health Record’ book or online.
www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/PDF/
brochures/child-health-information-book.pdf
Eat for Health
This website provides helpful information for mum, dad, family and carers
about what your family and your baby should be eating every day. It also
includes breastfeeding advice for mums.
www.eatforhealth.gov.au

Nip Allergies in the Bub

This is an allergy prevention website and provides information for
common allergy causing foods and introducing solid foods.
www.preventallergies.org.au

Raising Children Network

This website provides helpful information for mum, dad, family
and carers on different topics, including nutrition for your baby’s
and family’s health.
www.raisingchildren.net.au

Notes

11
Where do I find help and advice?
© State of Queensland Acknowledgements
(Queensland Health) 2020
We would like to thank the babies, families and
This document is licensed under a Creative carers that were a part of the development of
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please contact the Centre for Children’s Health
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