• cereals such as baby rice mixed with milk,
• mashed cooked vegetables such as parsnip, potato, yam, sweet potato or carrot,
• mashed banana, avocado, cooked apple or pear,
• pieces of soft fruit or vegetables small enough for your baby to pick up.

All of these fruits and vegetables are very cheap to buy compared to ready-made baby foods. Rather than spending money on prepared baby food in jars which is often higher in sugar and contains additives, it is cheaper and better for your baby to make your own meals.

As long as you feed your baby foods from each of the following food groups each day, he/she will be provided with a more than adequate and healthy varied diet.

• Starchy carbohydrates such as potatoes, pasta, bread and rice.
• Protein from any meat, fish, eggs (make sure they are cooked thoroughly) and Quorn, tofu, beans or lentils.
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Milk and dairy foods

Help is also at hand from schemes such as Healthy Start where you can get free vouchers every week which you swap for milk, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and infant formula milk. You can also get free vitamins. Visit the Healthy Start homepage for more information: www.healthystart.nhs.uk/