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 or earlier to 1 year of age, who are avoiding multiple foods in view of food allergies and are ready to introduce solid food
Your Doctor or Dietitian will advise you which foods your child needs to avoid
The booklet gives general advice on the process of introducing solid food. Your dietitian will customise it to suit the needs of your child
My child needs to avoid the following foods:
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Breast feeding
Breast milk is the preferred milk of choice for infant and young children who have food allergies. You may continue to breast feed your child, but you may need to avoid some foods, depending on your child’s allergies. Your Dietitian / doctor will advise on this.
Formula
If your baby is drinking infant formula, this will need to be changed to a ‘hypoallergenic’ formula. This is one free from common allergens, like cow’s milk and soya. These are available on prescription from your GP and are nutritionally complete.
Hypoallergenic formulas taste and smell different from ordinary baby milks. Younger babies tend to accept them well, however, older babies may be more reluctant. Speak to your Dietitian if you are having difficulty changing your baby’s formula.
Be aware that your baby’s stools may change colour to dark green on a hypoallergenic milk.
‘Carton’ plant-based milk alternatives
Infant formula or breast milk should continue to be offered as a main drink until your baby is 12 months old.
However, carton plant-based milk alternatives can be used for cooking and mixing in to food from 6 months unless advised by your Dietitian.
There are a wide variety of these milks available to buy, both fresh and UHT, based on oat, coconut, soya, rice, nut and pea protein. Rice milk is not suitable for children under 4 and half years.
Their nutritional value does vary. Unfortified or organic varieties do not contain any additional nutrients. Always look for the brand that contains additional calcium and ideally iodine.
Your baby’s recommended milk is………………………………………
Introducing Solids
Breast milk or infant formula can provide all the nourishment your baby needs for their first 6 months. All babies are different, so discuss timings to offer solids with your health visitor or dietitian.
You should introduce solids by 6 months (26 weeks) at the latest. Do not introduce solids before four months (17 weeks).
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 one to two teaspoons of solids at one 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
- Well mashed soft or cooked fruit. 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, water or expressed breast milk. Tap water can be used from 6 months onwards
Which food should I give first?
There are a number of foods that people can be allergic to, such as milk, egg, soya, nuts and wheat. There is no evidence that delaying the introduction of foods into your baby’s diet beyond 6 months, will reduce the risk of developing other food allergies. Evidence has shown that delaying the introduction may increase the risk of developing an allergy.
Here are some tips on introducing new foods;
- Avoid giving any food your child has already reacted to, or you have been advised to avoid
- Start with low allergenic food like fruit and veg
- Try a cooked version of the food first
- Introduce foods singly, early in the day so any symptoms are noticed
- Try a new food for 2-3 days, then move on to other foods
- Make sure you know how to deal with an allergic reaction if it happens - ask your GP or hospital doctor
Ask you Dietitian for more advice on introducing high risk foods if you need it
Homemade Food
- It may take more time to prepare, but homemade baby food can be a lot cheaper than readymade varieties
- 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 homecooked food
Readymade Baby Foods
There are a huge variety of readymade baby foods available to buy. These are suitable for your baby if they are free from the foods they are sensitive to.
It is important to check food labels to ensure the product is suitable.
Weaning Guide
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Starting Off (around 6 months) |
How Much? |
When to Offer Food |
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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 |
Begin with 1-2 teaspoons
Start with fruit and vegetables then introduce soft meat, fish or lentils Use gluten free |
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
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Moving On (around 7 months) |
How Much? |
When to Offer Food |
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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
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Servings might still be small Include a protein food in at least 1 meal per day Try to offer 2-3 servings of starchy foods and 2 servings of fruit and |
Before a breast/formula feed, aiming for 3 meals per day Work towards 3 meals and 3–4
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Family Meals |
How Much? |
When to Offer Food |
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Move onto chopped up and finger foods
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2 small servings of a protein food 3-4 small servings of starchy foods 3-4 servings of fruit and vegetables |
Try to have a routine - 3 meals a day with small snacks in between, if needed
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Suggested Meal Pattern
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Starting Off (around 6 months) |
Breakfast |
Lunch and Supper |
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Breast milk, or infant formula water (cooled boiled water before 6 months) Introduce drinks from cup or beaker |
Baby rice and mashed fruit Breast milk or suitable formula |
Soft meat, fish or lentils with mashed vegetables Mashed fruit with custard or ground rice pudding (made from suitable milk as advised) |
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Moving On (around 7 months) |
Breakfast |
Lunch and Supper |
|
Breast milk, infant formula, tap water Offer drinks from a cup or beaker |
Cereals and suitable formula, breast milk or suitable plant based carton milk. |
Minced meat, flaked fish or cooked lentils with mashed vegetables and potatoes Mashed fruit with custard, rice pudding, yoghurt (made from suitable milk as advised) |
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Family Meals (9-12 months) |
Breakfast |
Lunch and Supper |
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Breast milk, infant formula, tap water Offer drinks from a cup or beaker |
Cereals with suitable formula or breast milk Toast with butter or margarine Pancakes made from formula or suitable plant based carton milk. |
Chopped meat or fish with soft, cooked potatoes or pasta and vegetables; or cooked lentils with rice and chapatti, Pasta with white sauce, made with suitable milk or tomato sauce sandwiches, made with spread and ham/ houmous/ jam/cold meat/egg (if allowed) Fruit with cream (free from avoided foods) |
In addition to the suggested meal pattern your child should still be offered the following:
On Waking
Breast milk (breast feed or EBM) or formula
Bedtime
Breast milk or formula
Amount of Formula
Aim for around 600ml (~20 floz) per day, either as a drink or in puddings or on cereals.
Remember carton plant-based milk alternatives should not be used as a main drink <1 year.
From first introducing your baby to food, to around one year of age, gradually change the type, amount and texture of the food that you offer your baby.
Baby led weaning 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.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.
About this information
Service:
Dietetics
Reference:
DT/121
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.