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Introducing solids to your baby can be an exciting milestone for both you and your little one. However, it’s sometimes a daunting task, especially for new parents.
Here’s a general guide to starting solids to help build your confidence as you begin this new phase.
Experts and the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines recommend introducing solids to your baby when they are around 6 months old.1,2
At this age, your baby’s digestive system is ready to handle solid foods. Your baby also has a greater need for specific nutrients that milk alone may not provide, such as iron.
Signs that your baby is ready for solid foods include:
National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines advise you to continue breastfeeding or formula feeding your baby while introducing solids, until at least 12 months of age.1
Breast milk or formula should still be the main source of nutrition for your baby as you introduce solids. You can gradually reduce the amount of milk they consume as they start to eat a wider variety of solid foods. If formula feeding, follow the feeding guide on the can.
By the time your baby is 12 months old, they should be eating around three meals a day, in addition to breast milk or infant formula.3
Once your baby is 6 months old, you can introduce small amounts of water, on top of their regular formula or breast milk. This is more for practice than for hydration. Offer your baby cooled, boiled water in a cup or sippy cup, rather than a bottle.3
Cow’s milk does not have the right blend of nutrients for babies under 12 months. It cannot be used as a replacement for breast milk or formula until your baby is 12 months.4
From around 8 months onward, you can include cow’s milk as an ingredient with some of the foods you prepare for your little one, and you can offer dairy products such a cheese or yoghurts.4
Introduce solids to your baby gradually, one food at a time. This can help you discover possible food allergies. Start with foods that are rich in iron, such as iron-fortified rice cereal.
Here are some tips to get started:1,5
Babies with feeding problems such as food allergies or lactose intolerance may have trouble tolerating certain solid foods. It’s possible these foods could further impact their condition.1
It’s best to talk with a healthcare professional about what kinds of foods work best for babies who have feeding problems.
It’s always best to check with your healthcare professional before introducing foods that can cause an allergic reaction.
Allergy specialists recommend that you introduce food allergens from around 6 months (not before 4 months) and before 12 months of age. This may decrease the risk of your child developing an allergy to certain foods.5
Try introducing small amounts of food that might cause allergies — such as peanuts, eggs, soy and fish — one at a time. You can start by applying a small quantity on the inner lip to observe possible reactions to that specific food. It’s good to try the new solid foods during the day, rather than at night, so you can watch your child and respond if they have an allergic reaction.5
If your family and baby has a history of food allergies (such as cow’s milk protein allergy), you should be cautious when transitioning to solids and introducing new foods. Talk with your healthcare professional for more advice.
If you are able to breastfeed, breastfeeding is best for babies. Breastfeeding has many benefits, such as protecting your baby from infection while their immune system develops. It is important that you eat a healthy, balanced diet in preparation for and during breastfeeding.
Infant formula is designed to replace breast milk when an infant is not breastfed. Combining breast and bottle feeding in your baby’s first weeks of life may reduce your supply of breast milk and reversing a decision not to breastfeed is difficult. The social and financial implications of using infant formula should be considered when choosing a method of feeding.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when preparing and using infant formula, including proper sterilisation of bottles and using boiled water. Improper use of an infant formula may make your baby ill.
We recommend that you consult your doctor, midwife, or health care professional for advice about feeding your baby.
Disclaimer: This article is general health information from a medical perspective and does not replace individual advice from your GP or specialist.
If you are over 30, life has probably become busier. Work pressures, family responsibilities, financial stress, and the natural changes of getting older can leave you feeling mentally exhausted, easily distracted, and low in motivation. Many Australians in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond tell me they feel like they are running on empty. They struggle to concentrate at work, forget simple things, rely on caffeine or sugar just to get through the day, and feel disappointed by repeated failures to quit smoking or to lose weight.
On top of that, some patients have been prescribed a standard antidepressant in the past, only to experience weight gain, emotional numbness, or sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction and low libido. If any of this sounds familiar, bupropion may be the option you have been looking for.
Bupropion is not just another antidepressant. It is a norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). This means it works mainly on two brain chemicals: dopamine and noradrenaline. These neurotransmitters are closely linked to motivation, reward, energy, attention, and mental sharpness. Unlike many common antidepressants that mainly boost serotonin, bupropion has a distinctly different profile.
In Australia, bupropion is TGA-approved as Zyban for smoking cessation, and generic bupropion SR 150 mg is available on prescription. Many doctors also prescribe bupropion off-label for depression, low energy, and adult ADHD symptoms. From a doctor’s point of view, it is one of the most useful tools for patients who want to feel more alert, more motivated, and more in control of their habits.
| Feature | Bupropion | Typical SSRI |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Often improves | May cause fatigue |
| Weight | Weight-neutral or weight loss | Often causes weight gain |
| Sexual function | Low risk; may improve libido | Often causes ED or low libido |
| Concentration | May improve focus | Variable |
| Smoking cessation | Yes, indicated | No |
Yes, many patients report clearer thinking, better task completion, and improved executive function while taking bupropion. Because it boosts dopamine and noradrenaline, it can help lift the mental fog that often accompanies depression, chronic stress, and low energy. Bupropion is sometimes used off-label for adult ADHD symptoms because it can improve focus and attention without being a classic stimulant. The effect is usually steady rather than a sudden “rush,” and most people notice benefits within 2 to 4 weeks.
Yes. Generic bupropion SR 150 mg is available in Australia on prescription. This means you do not have to pay brand-name prices. If cost is a concern, ask your pharmacist about generic bupropion options. Many Australian pharmacies stock generic bupropion SR, which is often more affordable than the original Zyban brand. Your GP can write a prescription for bupropion and discuss whether the PBS or a private script is the best option for you.
This is a very individual decision. Bupropion is not generally a first-line treatment for dementia itself, and it is not approved for dementia-related behavioural symptoms. However, in older adults who have depression or apathy and do not have a seizure disorder or major risk factors, bupropion may be used cautiously, often at a lower dose, under close medical supervision. Because older adults may have reduced kidney or liver function, take multiple medications, and be more sensitive to side effects, a thorough assessment by a GP, geriatrician, or psychiatrist is essential. If dementia is advanced or there is any history of seizures, bupropion is usually avoided.
No. Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold, so it is contraindicated in people with a seizure disorder or conditions that increase seizure risk. This includes a history of epilepsy, brain tumour, severe head injury, alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, and eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. If you have ever had a seizure, tell your doctor before considering bupropion. This is one of the most important safety points about the medication.
A typical course lasts 7 to 12 weeks, although some people continue for up to 6 months to prevent relapse. The usual dosing schedule is:
| Period | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | 150 mg once daily | Start before your quit date |
| Day 4 onward | 150 mg twice daily | Space doses at least 8 hours apart; avoid late evening dose to reduce insomnia |
| Day 7–14 | Quit date | Stop smoking completely |
| Weeks 7–12 | Continue treatment | Typical course; can be extended up to 6 months |
For best results, bupropion should be combined with counselling or a structured quit-smoking plan. In my practice, patients who use bupropion alongside behavioural support have the highest success rates.
No special diet is required. Unlike older antidepressants called MAOIs, bupropion does not require you to avoid tyramine-rich foods such as aged cheese, cured meats, or wine. You can take bupropion with or without food. However, you should avoid alcohol or keep it to a minimum, because alcohol increases the risk of seizures and can worsen side effects. It is also wise to limit high caffeine intake, as large amounts of caffeine may add to feelings of jitteriness, anxiety, and insomnia.
Bupropion is well known for having a low risk of sexual side effects. In fact, many patients find that bupropion improves libido and arousal, especially if they have previously experienced sexual dysfunction on an SSRI antidepressant. Bupropion is sometimes used specifically to help manage SSRI-induced erectile dysfunction. A small number of people may still report ED or reduced libido, but this is much less common than with many other antidepressants. If it happens, speak with your doctor about adjusting the dose or timing.
Several herbal products can interact with bupropion. The most important is St John’s Wort, which can reduce the effectiveness of bupropion by speeding up its breakdown in the liver. It may also increase the risk of side effects when combined with other antidepressants. Other herbal stimulants should be avoided as well.
| Herbal product | Potential interaction | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| St John’s Wort | May reduce bupropion efficacy; may increase side effects | Avoid |
| Ephedra / yohimbe | May increase blood pressure and seizure risk | Avoid |
| Kava / valerian | May increase sedation | Use caution |
| High-dose caffeine supplements | May worsen anxiety, insomnia, jitteriness | Limit |
If you are over 30 and frustrated by low energy, poor concentration, weight changes, sexual side effects from other antidepressants, or repeated failed attempts to quit smoking, bupropion may be the answer you have been searching for. It targets the brain chemicals behind drive and focus, supports smoking cessation, and has a favourable weight and sexual side-effect profile compared with many other antidepressants.
You do not have to accept feeling foggy, flat, or stuck. Talk to your GP today. Be honest about your symptoms, any history of seizures, alcohol use, and any herbal supplements or other medications you take. Ask your doctor:
If bupropion is appropriate for you, your GP can write a prescription. You can then fill it at any Australian community pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist about generic bupropion options to make treatment more affordable.
Take the first step today. Book an appointment with your GP, mention bupropion, and start the conversation about feeling sharper, more motivated, and back in control of your health.
