Next Steps
Try to increase the amount of food your baby is having at each sitting – they’ll probably be eating between 1 and 6 teaspoons each mealtime when they’re six months old. At about this time, you can also introduce solids at a second mealtime too. Gradually add less fluid to the baby rice and thicken the purees you’re giving them as they get used to the feel of food in their mouth. Don’t puree everything – try mashing and finely chopping their food to encourage them to chew.

Home Cooking
When it’s time to move beyond baby rice and basic vegetable purees there are some fantastic baby recipe books around that’ll help you come up with new ideas – we’d recommend any by Annabel Karmel and Amanda Grant, plus the NCT Guide’s First Foods And Weaning is excellent.

More Tips
Don’t forget that milk’s still vitally important to your baby at this stage and they should be having at least one pint of milk a day. Plus variety is very much the spice of life when it comes to your baby’s diet – introducing them to lots of new flavours now will help ensure they’re not too fussy when they’re older. One final note – now is definitely the time to read the labels on the food you buy. Avoid any foods with salt in them until your baby is at least a year old, plus steer clear of anything with added sugar, additives or preservatives. The more natural, the better!

For more helpful advice on weaning see Open Wide! and Tuck In!

This feature is sponsored by Cow & Gate. If you have questions about pregnancy or your baby, or you just need a chat, call the UKTV Baby Squad Careline on 08453 455 600 now.