Once your baby gets the taste for solids you can expand the menu and start introducing other foods.

Top 10 Tips

1. Babies don’t need salt, soy sauce, sugar, artificial sweeteners, butter, cream or margarine added to their food.

2. Corned beef, povi masima and tinned fish are too salty for babies.

3. Honey may cause a serious illness in babies less than one year old. Wait until your baby is over one before introducing.

4. Between six and seven months, start adding meat to your baby’s vegetables. Iron is necessary for brain development, learning and energy.

5. Legumes, cereals and green leafy vegetables also contain iron, although it’s not as easily absorbed by the body.

6. Eating these foods with foods high in Vitamin C, such as oranges or mandarins, will help the body absorb the iron.

7. When babies are between 8-9 months, they can start eating finger food as well. Try soft ripe fruit, cooked vegetable pieces and grated cheese.

8. Wait until your child is at least five years old to give them small hard foods such as popcorn, nuts, raw carrot and raw apple because of the choking hazard.

9. Some babies who are not interested in mushed-up food may prefer finger food.

10. Always stay with your baby when they’re eating, and make sure they’re sitting down.