When starting solids, start with an iron fortified rice cereal as it is the easiest to digest and the least likely to cause an allergic reaction in your baby.

Strained meats may be introduced at 6 months as they are high in iron.

Use baby food within 3 days of first opening (2 days if meat) – otherwise discard.

Always offer your baby single ingredient foods first (i.e. rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, carrots, beef, etc.) before combining foods to rule out any sensitivities. Wait 3-5 days before introducing new varieties.

New foods should be introduced by parents or regular caregivers.

Signs of allergy or any other adverse reactions include:  rash, diarrhea, tummy ache, frequent crying.

Be patient, babies’ tastes change rapidly, if foods are initially rejected, try again later.

Do not force-feed your baby.  Let your baby guide you in quantity.

Bland food is very tasty to your baby so don't prepare food for your baby to suit your taste. Never add salt or sugar. Babies don't generally like spicy food either.

Adding breast milk or formula to your baby's foods will help make the taste more familiar. It might be boring to you but is delicious to your baby!

Always serve your baby his food from a bowl, not straight from the jar.

Don’t heat cooked baby food more than once.

It may take many tries with a new food before your baby decides to try it. If it's a healthy food, don't give up. Keep offering it until your child decides he'll give it a try.

Even under your watchful eye, your baby should not be offered any of the following foods, which can cause choking:

• Raw, hard fruits and vegetables
• Fruits with seeds/pits such as cherries
• Dried fruits, except raisins that are small and seedless
• Hot dogs, popcorn, nuts, seeds, whole grapes, chips or small hard or chewy candies that can get stuck in the airway.

When out with your baby, always take extra food supplies in case you are unexpectedly delayed.

Bran should never be given to a baby under 12 months. Too much fibre can aggravate constipation and interfere with protein digestibility as well as absorption of iron, calcium and other essential nutrients.

When traveling, always take your own supply of baby food, formula and snacks with you because you may not be able to find your favourite baby foods at your destination.

Offer your baby vegetables before fruit.  Babies tend to enjoy the sweetness of fruit more and may reject vegetables if they follow fruit in the meal.

Is your baby not a veggie lover yet? Heinz has combined vegetables and fruits together for delicious tastes that can help you fulfill your baby's dietary needs. Available in Heinz^® Stage 2 Strained (From 6 months) and Stage 3 Junior (From 8 months).

Never feed honey to an infant under 12 months of age as it may cause botulism.

Egg white is highly allergenic and shouldn't be given to babies under one year. Only offer egg yolk to your baby before that age.

Be creative – add Heinz^® Baby Food fruit and vegetable purees into your home cooking and baking as healthy ingredient alternatives!

To get finicky eaters to consume more veggies, try using Heinz^® Baby Food vegetable purees as a sauce on top of their favourite foods or as a dip.