Solid foods can be introduced alongside breastfeeding when the child reaches around 6 months of age. The best foods to start with are mashed and easy-to-swallow foods such as:
- Iron-fortified infant cereals (such as rice or oats) mixed with breast milk or formula.
- Mashed vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes.
- Mashed fruits such as bananas, apples, and pears.
- Well-cooked and mashed meats such as chicken, red meat, fish, and egg yolk.
- Legumes and lentils.
Be sure to introduce only one new food at a time, waiting 3 days before trying another food to watch for any allergic reaction.