All genders

By 8 or 9 months, you can start to offer your baby their solids before breastmilk or formula. By now your baby is probably having 3 to 4 meals a day, 1 to 2 snacks, and 2 to 3 breast (or formula) feeds.

Keep giving your baby breastmilk (or formula) before solids. Give more variety and texture as baby grows older.

Start with one food at a time, and add a new food every 2 to 4 days. Over time, increase how much and how often you give solid foods. Start with 1 to 2 teaspoons once a day, and slowly increase.

Prepare a week of baby meat and vegetables and freeze in individual containers (such as ice cube trays). Do some tasks the day before. Check out some other time saving tips.

A great way to stock up on baby food - cook a large amount and freeze portions. Once your baby's eating foods with more texture, you could put any healthy leftovers from the family meal into a blender and blend to a lumpy pulp.

Your baby is learning about food and developing eating habits from the time they start solids. There are lots of things you can do to help your baby learn healthy eating habits right from the start.

Safety's important when your baby is eating. Make sure your baby's well-secured in a high chair, or on your lap. Find out about foods that are more likely to cause choking.

Start with spoon-fed puréed foods when your baby is ready (around 6 months). Move on to mashed and chopped foods over the next few months. Offer finger foods from 7 to 8 months when your baby is able to pick them up, bring them to their mouth and chew them.

Around 6 months, your baby starts to need the extra vitamins and minerals (especially iron and zinc) that are in solid foods. 

Your breastmilk makes a big difference to both your baby's health and yours. 

Exclusively breastfeeding for around the first 6 months of your baby's life and then continuing once your baby starts solids until 12 months and beyond gives your baby the best start in life.

Choosing how you feed your baby is a really important decision.

When your baby is hungry, they will show signs of nuzzling, hand-sucking, or mouthing (opening their mouth and turning their head).

When your baby is hungry, they will show signs of nuzzling, hand-sucking, or mouthing (opening their mouth and turning their head).

Conjunctivitis is a very common condition in tamariki (children). It causes red, irritated and sticky eyes. Infection or allergy are the most common causes of conjunctivitis.

Information for rangatahi (young people) who have had cancer treatment. Some rangatahi who have had certain types of treatment are more likely to have problems with their teeth. It is important to see your dentist regularly - at least once a year.