The Solids Edit

Australian health guidelines recommend introducing solid foods at around six months, but not before four months. Your baby is ready when they can sit upright with minimal support, show interest in food, and have lost the tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food out of their mouth. If you're unsure, your child health nurse or GP can help you assess readiness.

Purees involve feeding your baby smooth or mashed food with a spoon, while baby-led weaning lets your baby self-feed with soft finger foods from the start. Many families use a combination of both. There's no single right method; what matters most is that your baby is getting nutritional variety and exposure to different textures.

The essentials are a highchair, a few bibs, some soft-tipped spoons, and a bowl or plate that suctions to the tray. A silicone baby feeding set covers all the bases in one, including plates, bowls, spoons, and suction cups, and silicone is ideal because it's soft, easy to clean, and free from harmful chemicals. Having everything sorted before you start makes those first messy mealtimes a lot more manageable.

Honestly, it's messy, and that's completely normal and actually a good sign that your baby is exploring. A linen bandana bib or full-coverage silicone bib catches a lot, but expect to be changing outfits regularly in the early weeks. Organic muslin burp cloths are great for quick cleanups, and a silicone placemat under the highchair tray protects surfaces and is easy to wipe down.

Small sips of water can be introduced alongside solid foods at around six months, but milk should remain the primary source of nutrition and hydration for the first 12 months. Offering water in a cup at mealtimes helps babies learn to drink from a cup and prevents water from replacing more nutritious feeds. A small silicone water bottle is handy for outings once solids are established.

Iron-rich foods are recommended as a priority, things like pureed meat, fish, legumes, and iron-fortified cereals. Alongside those, a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and grains helps expose your baby to different flavours early. Introducing one new food at a time over a few days makes it easier to identify any reactions, especially when you're starting out.

Preparation is everything. A silicone bento lunch box is brilliant for packing pre-portioned snacks and meals that travel well, with soft fruit, cheese cubes, cooked pasta, and similar foods holding up nicely. A linen bib takes up barely any space in a nappy bag, and having a portable placemat means you can create a clean eating surface almost anywhere.