QI. What about routine childhood immunisation?
QII. Starting solids?
QI. What about routine childhood immunisation?
Most countries have government-funded programs for the routine vaccination of young babies and children against common diseases. The vaccinations offered can vary, depending where you live and what your national and state governments have approved. In Australia vaccination against polio, diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, Hepatitis B, Hib (meningitis), and more recently chicken pox are offered.
The first hepatitis B vaccination is offered within a week of the baby's birth. Further hepatitis B vaccinations are given with other routine vaccinations at 2, 4 and 6 (or 12) months of age. To read more, go to
hepatitis B.
The first of many other routine vaccinations is offered when your baby is 2 months old. You can read about these in
routine childhood vaccinations.
QII. Starting solids?
In years gone by, many parents and health professionals recommended introducing solids to young babies as early as 3 to 4 months of age. However, it is now recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Australian Dietary Guidelines released by The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), that solids should only be introduced from 6 months of age. If possible, babies should only have
breast milk until 6 months. If this is not the case, then a combination of breast milk and
infant formula (or formula alone) is all that is required for proper growth and development in the first 6 months.
NOTE: Introducing solids does NOT help your baby sleep through the night, although this is a common myth.
When first introducing solids, be aware that breast milk and/or formula remain the most important part of your baby's diet, especially in the early weeks. Solid foods are initially just an 'extra' for your baby, not their main source of food just yet.