A baby’s first and exclusive source of nutrition in the first 6-months of life is breastmilk or infant formula.  

Solid foods and water can be introduced at 6-months old but no younger than 4-months old.  

Introducing solid food is an important growth and developmental milestone for an infant. Feeding guidelines including the progression from soft foods to complex textures assists with correct development of:

• the mouth and throat
• oral motor skills
• swallowing, sucking, chewing and biting ability
• self-feeding fine motor skills.

See Child Development to read more about developmental skills for each age group.