Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Introduction
The information in the booklet is intended for babies from around 6 months (not before 17 weeks and by 6 months) to 1 year of age, who need extra nutrition from their solid food.
Some babies are born with conditions which means they need to make the most of every mouthful. Other babies might become unwell during their first year and need extra from their solid food.
Taking additional energy and protein, alongside sufficient minerals and vitamins will help your baby achieve their maximum growth potential.
Please note - some of the advice may not be suitable if you child has food allergies. please ask you dietitian for further advice.
Breast Feeding
In most cases, it is possible to continue to breast feed, but your dietitian, in consultation with your consultant, may suggest you offer a combination of breast feeds and expressed breast milk in a bottle.
The reason for this is when a baby breast feeds, we cannot be sure how much milk they are getting. By bottle feeding expressed milk, we can be surer on how much they are feeding and babies are less likely to suckle for comfort from a bottle. We can also ensure they are getting the richer hind milk for expressed feeds, which is higher in fat and energy.
Formula
If you baby is on a standard infant formula or a follow-on milk (suitable from 6 months), we may suggest they continue to feed with this.
Infant formula should be used as a main drink and for mixing food. Using formula in food can increase the food's nutritional value. Do not use water to mix food unless advised by your dietitian.
High Energy Formula
Your baby may be prescribed a high energy formula to replace some or all their usual milk, which is only available on prescription.
High energy formula should also be used for mixing up with your baby’s food.
Introducing Solids
Breast milk or infant formula can provide all the nourishment your baby needs for their first 6 months. You should start introducing solid food by around 6 months of age. However, all babies are different, so discuss this with your health visitor or dietitian.
You should introduce solids by 6 months (26 weeks) at the latest. Do not introduce solids before 4 months (17 weeks). The process of weaning a baby when they need additional energy is the same as other babies.
When is the Right Time to Introduce Solids?
Every baby is different so look for signs of readiness these include:
- Chewing fists
- Showing interest in other people’s food
- Able to hold their head
- Some hand to mouth coordination
- Crying between feeds
Waking in the night when a baby has previously slept through on its own is not an indication to start solid food.
Tips and Hints for Successful Weaning
- Start by offering 1 to 2 teaspoons of solids at 1 feed in the day
- Try to choose a time when your baby is not too tired or too hungry
- First foods should have a thick, soft, smooth consistency. Suitable choices include:
- Baby rice mixed with your baby’s recommended milk
- Well mashed, cooked vegetables like carrots, parsnips and butternut squash
- Well mashed soft or cooked fruit such as pears, apples and peaches. You can use fresh fruit or fruit canned in natural juice
- Do not add sugar, honey or salt to your baby’s food
- Gradually increase both the quantity and number of times your baby has solids in the day
- Do not worry if the baby refuses new foods you offer - try the same food again on another day
- You may need to offer the same food at least 10-20 times for your baby to accept the taste of a new food
- Introduce a cup/beaker with a spout from 6 months of age for formula or water; tap water can be used from 6 months onwards
Homemade Food
- It may take more time to prepare, but homemade baby food can be a lot cheaper than readymade varieties
- It is also possible to add in butter/oil and smooth nut butter to increase the energy/protein content
- Cook in batches and freeze portions in clean ice cube trays or new freezer bags. Homemade food also naturally varies in flavour, which is more like the food your baby will eventually eat
- Your baby will also get used to a variety of flavours with home cooked food
Readymade Baby Foods
- There is a huge variety of readymade baby foods available on the market. Some of these can be low in protein and energy
- You can increase the energy and protein content by adding extra formula, butter/ margarine/ cheese and oil
- You can also try adding smooth nut butter and cream cheese to increase the energy content
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Starting Off (from 17 weeks / 6m) |
Moving On (around 7 months) |
Family Meals (9-12 months) |
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Mashed, cooked and soft foods with a smooth consistency. Some babies may require a smoother consistency if starting solid food before 6 months |
Gradually move onto mashed and lumpier foods, to encourage your child to chew. Offer soft finger foods If using readymade baby food, move onto the 7-month jars |
Move onto chopped up and finger foods |
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How Much? |
How Much? |
How Much? |
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Begin with 1-2 teaspoons. Gradually increase this as your baby is ready to eat more. Start with fruit and vegetables then introduce soft meat, fish or lentils Use gluten free cereals (e.g. baby rice) before 6 Months. |
Servings might still be small. Include meat, fish, eggs or lentils in at least 1 meal per day Try to offer 2-3 servings of starchy foods and 2 servings of fruit and vegetables a day |
2 small servings of meat, fish, eggs or lentils 3-4 small servings of starchy foods 3-4 servings of fruit and vegetables |
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Starting Off around 6 months |
Moving On around 7 months |
Family Meals 9-12 months |
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At first offer once a day during or after a feed (breast or formula). Gradually increase the amount and number of times the food is offered |
Before a breast/formula feed, aiming for 3 meals per day Work towards 3 meals and 3–4 formula feeds per day |
Try to have a routine - 3 meals a day with small snacks in between, if needed |
Suggested Meal Pattern
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Starting Off (around 6 months) |
Moving On (around 7 months) |
Family Meals (around 9-12 months) |
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Breast milk, infant formula or high energy formula feed, water (cooled boiled water before 6 months). Introduce drinks from a cup or beaker |
Breast milk, infant formula or high energy formula, tap water Offer drinks from a cup or beaker |
Breast milk, infant Offer drinks from a cup or beaker |
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Amount of Milk |
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Aim for around 600ml (~20-floz) per day, either as a drink or in puddings or on cereals |
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On Waking |
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Breast milk (breast feed or EBM) or formula |
Breast milk or formula |
Breast milk formula |
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Breakfast |
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Baby rice and mashed fruit Breast milk or |
Cereals such as |
Cereals with formula/breast milk/high energy formula Toast with butter or margarine Pancakes made with formula |
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Lunch and Supper |
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Soft meat, fish or lentils with mashed vegetables Mashed fruit with custard or ground rice pudding
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Minced meat, flaked fish or cooked lentils with mashed vegetables and potatoes Mashed fruit with custard, rice
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Chopped meat or fish with soft, cooked potatoes or pasta and vegetables, or cooked lentils with rice and chapatti, Pasta with white sauce or tomato sauce Sandwiches, made with spread and ham/houmous/jam/cold meat/egg (if allowed) Fruit with cream |
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Bedtime |
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Breast milk or formula |
Breast milk or formula |
Breast milk or formula |
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From first introducing your baby to food to around 1 year of age, gradually change the type, amount and texture of the food that you offer your baby.
Baby Led Weaning
This is an approach where you let your child feed themselves. This can be done from the start of weaning, by allowing your baby to choose their own food and eat at their pace.
There are many pros and cons to this approach in the short term - speak to your dietitian or health visitor for more information.
Food Fortification Ideas for Baby Food
- Add butter/margarine to mashed potatoes, vegetables,
- Spread butter/margarine onto bread in sandwiches and onto toast
- Add grated cheese or cream cheese to mashed potato and over pasta
- Add oil to mashed vegetables and mashed potatoes
- Add smooth nut butter (unless advised by your dietitian) to blended or mashed fruit and vegetables and on toast/sandwiches
- Adding lentils to dishes adds extra protein. Lentils can easily be mashed down to a soft consistency.
Ideas for Finger Food
- Cubes of cheese
- Toast with thick spread of butter and nut butter
- Cooked pasta with olive oil/butter/cream cheese
- Fruit with custard or fromage frais/yoghurt
- Strips of omelette made with cheese
- Biscuit/cake/chocolate buttons
Note - leave at least an hour between snacks and finger foods so appetite for a meal is not affected.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.
About this information
Service:
Dietetics
Reference:
DT/120
Approval date:
1 June 2026
Review date:
1 June 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.