This is a messy stage but an important one for the baby to learn to use emerging teeth. Babies who are always spoon-fed on soft foods at this age may be reluctant to chew throughout their childhood. Most babies will already be enjoying bananas, pawpaw, peach, kiwi fruit, strawberries, rockmelon and other fruits as their sweetness is usually appealing. Their vitamin C content also helps absorption of iron from other foods. You can also give a baby toast fingers, small pieces of sandwich, strips of beef or lamb, tender pieces of chicken, pasta, legumes, yoghurt, cheese, smooth peanut butter and pieces of cooked vegetable.
Many babies like to gnaw on a smooth lamb chop bone, especially when teething.
It's just as important for babies to have a variety of healthy foods as it is for everyone else. In many homes, the easiest way to do this is to give babies a small portion of whatever the rest of the family is having. Hot spices and highly seasoned foods will not be appropriate. It is best to avoid sugary foods such as cakes, biscuits, sweets and sweetened drinks at this age, as developing teeth can decay easily. There is no problem using a little milk with cereal or in a custard, but thebaby's major milk drinks should come from breast milk or formula until 12 months of age.