Stage 2

At around eight months, your baby's senses and organs are developing rapidly!

Your baby is gradually changing from a rhythm of breastmilk (the best choice) or infant formula four to five times a day, to small meals that include both fluid foods and more solid dishes three to four times a day. You can start to introduce mashed foods, including meats, fish and certain grain-based dishes. You can now add even more variety to bub's diet.

From around eight months, baby’s cereals also no longer have to be iron-fortified, because they will now be getting plenty of iron from meats.

You’ll also find bub starting to focus more closely on different objects and people. Your bub is beginning to recognise familiar faces, and grasp objects such as toys and dummies more firmly. It’s a sign of growing independence and should encourage you to give baby the spoon at meal times! But be aware – it can get messy! So be sure to keep a bib on hand at all times. Such adventures will allow your child to feel like they are participating more in meal times.