Breastfeeding is best for your baby because:
- Breastfeeding is the traditional way
- Breastmilk has all the right nutrients
- Breastmilk helps protect your baby from infection
- Breastfeeding helps prevent asthma and diabetes
- Breastfeeding is hygienic
- Breastmilk is always ready for your baby
- Breastmilk is free.
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Breastfeeding should continue until your baby is at least 12 months old. Your baby should not be given cow’s milk to drink until they are 12 months old and cordial, juice and soft drink should be avoided.
Foods that are best for you when you are breastfeeding
Good food and nutrition is important to keep you healthy and stop you from getting run down, especially when you are breastfeeding.
Key nutrients include:
Breastfeeding along with healthy eating and physical activity can help you get back in shape after giving birth.
Introducing solids to your baby’s diet
You know your baby is ready for solids if they:
- Are about six months old
- Can hold their head up without help
- Reach out for food
- Open their mouth when a spoon is offered.
Before six months, breast milk or formula is the only food and drink that your baby needs. At about six months of age, solids should be introduced to your baby’s diet. Your baby can also be given water from a cup from six months of age. Some tips about starting solid food include:
- If you start solids too early, your baby can’t digest the food and could get diarrhoea or choke.
- If you start solids too late, your baby may stop growing well and be low in iron.
The best first foods for your baby
There is a wide range of food that can be given to your baby when they first start to eat solids. These include:
After eight months, continue giving your baby fruit and veggies, but add more variety. Some examples of new foods that can be included in your baby’s diet are:
- Minced lean meat, chicken and fish
- Mashed baked beans and lentils
- Custard, yoghurt and cheese
- Rice, pasta, wheat cereal and oats (porridge).
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Victorian Aboriginal Health Services Tel. (03) 9419 3000 or 132 660 (after hours)
- Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Tel. (03) 9411 9411
Things to remember
- Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby.
- Good food and nutrition is important to keep you healthy and stop you from getting run down, especially when you are breastfeeding.
- You can introduce solid food to your baby’s diet when they are around six months old.
- Feed your baby a wide variety of food to give them all the nutrients they need to grow and develop.
Content Partner
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Department of Health and Human Services - Aboriginal health
Last updated:
April 2015
Page content currently being reviewed.
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