ABSTRACT
Mothers need evidence-based advice and support to ensure that the timing of introducing solid food is appropriate and safe and does not cause any health problems. This chapter aims to be a practical guide to introducing infants to solid food. Weaning and the introduction of solids develop biting and chewing reflexes which also develop the muscles required for speech development and tooth alignment. The aim of weaning is to introduce infants to the variety of foods that the family eats. The Department of Health recommend that infants between the ages of six months and five years of age should be given supplements containing vitamins A, C and D unless feeding on formula to which the vitamins have been added. The decision of when to introduce solid food is a complex process for mothers and can be positively or negatively influenced by partners, family, friends and healthcare professionals, as well as socio-cultural traditions.
