Studies show that babies breastfed exclusively for the first six months are less prone to developing allergies later on in life than babies who aren't. In fact, there is mounting evidence that the longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits in terms of health and development.

Similarly, the variety of food that a baby is exposed to in the first few years of life may well set the tone of his dietary preferences in later years.

Dr Ellen Tay, consultant paediatrician at The Paediatric Centre, said this is why she tells parents that weaning should be an enjoyable time.

One of the most common problems that mothers encounter is how and when to wean. DrTay suggests that parents start introducing solid foods after six months so that by 12 months, solid foods become the main part of the baby's diet, with breast or formula milk making up the balance.

She said the introduction of solid foods must be a slow process, with care taken not to overwhelm the baby.

'Sometimes, parents get too excited and try to do too many things at the same time like switching from breast milk to formula along with introducing new food,' she said.

Dr Tay's advice is simple: Stick to one new item per week without making any other changes.

According to nutritionist Pauline Chan of nutrition consultancy firm Food and Nutrition, a good weaning diet is one that can provide the baby with the essential nutrients as well as variety. It should be balanced and food should be offered in moderation. Baby's first foods should also be easy to digest, said MsChan. She recommends iron-fortified rice cereal as the first solid food as rice is one of the least allergenic foods.

She explained that the baby's iron stores will run out at around six months and it is therefore crucial to provide him with an adequate amount of iron to prevent iron deficiency.

'Once the baby shows no adverse reaction to the rice cereal, you may proceed to feeding him other single ingredient foods such as pureed fruit, vegetables or other grains, then follow with other protein-rich foods such as meat and chicken,' she said.

She said the feeding of single ingredients is crucial to ensure that the baby is not allergic to newly introduced food.

Purees are a good way to start as their smooth and runny texture will give the baby a comfortable first-food experience. 'Breast milk or formula can be added to the puree to modify the consistency if needed, especially for babies who have just started on their first solid food adventure,' she said.

One key piece of advice about feeding: 'Do not cook too much and do not push the baby to finish the food. One or two spoonfuls may be all your baby will be able to take at the beginning.'

Dr Tay advises using a bowl and spoon to feed the baby rather than putting the mashed up food in a feeding bottle.

'The baby needs to learn to move solid food from the front of the tongue to the back to swallow it,' she said.

She also advises mothers to choose a time of the day or week when they are more relaxed to start the weaning process. 'There's no point in hurrying it. It's a trial and error process,' she said.

Also, parents should not try to stick to deadlines. 'When it comes to weaning, it's best done naturally. If the baby needs more time, then adjust accordingly,' she said.

Dr Tay said that from one year onwards, the baby requires at least 600 to 800ml of milk a day.

She said parents would do best to introduce a variety of fruit and vegetables, along with different sources of carbohydrates such as rice, pasta and noodles. 'The idea is to get the baby eating as healthy and varied a diet as possible,' she said.

Most children who eat a wide variety of food will not need additional supplementation. But for fussy eaters, growing-up milks which comprise special formulas may help. 'These can act as a safety net which provides them with energy and nutrients needed for growth,' Ms Chan said.

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times on Apr 30, 2008.