Food Masher and Bowl By now, your infant should have blossomed into a chubby, thriving baby. And whether you are still breastfeeding or not, your baby’s increased nutrient and energy needs will gradually call for more than milk alone. At some stage between 5 to 7 months it will be time to introduce baby’s first solids. Weaning your baby any earlier than this is not only unnecessary but also unwise, as it will only increase the risk of allergies. Younger infants will also be incapable of handling a spoon.

However, from 5 months onwards your child should be able to eat finely pureed solids. Start off gently with a few small spoons of mashed vegetable (such as pureed carrots) before your baby’s regular milk feed. But don’t be irritated if he spits it straight back out and starts crying. The pureed carrot feels and tastes different to milk and also needs to be eaten differently. Lots of babies love this new experience, but some don’t. Just wait a few days and try again.