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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.
By a practising Australian GP with a special interest in dermatology
You know the story. You’ve had eczema since childhood, or it flared for the first time in your 30s, 40s or 50s. The itch wakes you at 2 a.m. You scratch until the skin weeps. Then you reach for the same old cortisone cream—betamethasone, maybe—because that’s what you’ve always done. But now you’re older, your skin is thinner, and you’re scared of steroid side effects. You’ve heard about skin thinning, stretch marks, and that dreaded “rebound” when you stop. You want something that actually works without damaging your skin long term.
If that sounds familiar, keep reading. Protopic (tacrolimus 0.03% and 0.1% ointment) is the non-steroid treatment that has changed how Australian doctors manage moderate-to-severe eczema in adults over 30.
Protopic is a prescription-only ointment that contains tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor. It works by calming the overactive immune cells in your skin that drive eczema—without the side effects of corticosteroids. It does not thin the skin, does not cause perioral dermatitis, and is safe for delicate areas like eyelids, face, neck, and groin—places where steroid creams are risky.
For Australians in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond, this is a game-changer. Skin naturally loses collagen and thickness with age, so the last thing you need is a steroid slowly eroding it further. Protopic gives you the anti-inflammatory power you need while actually helping the skin barrier repair.
In my clinic, I’ve seen countless patients whose lives turned around on Protopic. One patient—a 47-year-old teacher with chronic hand and eyelid eczema—had used betamethasone for years. Her skin was paper-thin, and every cold change triggered a flare. After starting Protopic 0.1% twice daily, her itch score dropped from 8/10 to 2/10 within 10 days. By week four, her eyelids were clear for the first time in a decade. Another patient, a 52-year-old tradie with lichenified plaques on his ankles, finally slept through the night after two weeks on Protopic. These aren’t rare outcomes—they’re the norm when Protopic is used correctly.
Betamethasone is a potent topical corticosteroid. It’s cheap, it works fast, but it comes with a long list of complications when used long term—especially on the face and in skin folds. Let’s compare:
| Feature | Protopic (Tacrolimus) | Betamethasone (Topical Steroid) |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Non-steroid calcineurin inhibitor | Potent corticosteroid |
| Skin thinning risk | None | High with prolonged use |
| Safe on eyelids/face/groin | Yes | Not recommended beyond a few days |
| Rebound flare on stopping | Less common if tapered correctly | Common, especially on face |
| Stinging on first application | Mild burning possible (usually resolves in 3–5 days) | Rare |
| Long-term safety in adults | Well-documented, no skin atrophy | Risk of atrophy, telangiectasia, perioral dermatitis |
For anyone over 30 with facial or eyelid eczema, the choice is clear: Protopic is the smarter, safer long-term option.
Dupilumab (Dupixent) is a biologic injection given every two weeks. It’s excellent for severe, widespread eczema and is PBS-subsidised for eligible patients. But it’s not for everyone. Protopic offers a topical option with fewer systemic considerations and faster local control.
| Aspect | Protopic | Dupilumab |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Topical ointment applied to affected skin | Subcutaneous injection every 2 weeks |
| Onset for localised itch | Often within 3–7 days | May take 2–4 weeks for full effect |
| Cost (private/PBS) | $65–$85 per 30g tube (private script; generic available) | $2,500+/month if private; PBS roughly $31.60 per script for eligible severe cases |
| Monitoring | Simple, no blood tests | Baseline and intermittent bloods, ophthalmology review for eye side effects |
| Best for | Localised moderate eczema, face/neck, maintenance | Severe widespread eczema not controlled by topicals |
Many of my patients start with Protopic for localised flares and only consider dupilumab if eczema covers large body areas. Protopic is the accessible, non-injection first step.
Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) is thickened, leathery skin caused by years of scratching—common on the nape of the neck, ankles, and shins. Steroids can thin already thickened skin further, but Protopic reduces the itch and inflammation without atrophy. In my experience, applying Protopic 0.1% twice daily to LSC plaques, combined with moisturiser, flattens and softens the skin over 4–8 weeks. The itch-scratch cycle finally breaks because the itch is suppressed at its immune source.
One of the most common mistakes is applying Protopic to dry, unwashed skin. Here’s the correct method:
This “soak and seal” method improves absorption and reduces the initial burning sensation. Most patients report significantly better results when they follow this routine consistently.
Many people worry: “If I stop Protopic, will my eczema come back?” The answer is—taper, don’t stop suddenly. Here’s my standard tapering schedule for adults:
| Week | Application Frequency |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 (active flare) | Apply twice daily to affected areas |
| Weeks 3–4 (clearing) | Apply once daily |
| Weeks 5–8 | Apply every second day |
| Maintenance | Apply twice weekly (e.g., Monday and Thursday) to previously affected areas |
This proactive, twice-weekly maintenance prevents flares for months or years. It’s the exact approach used in clinical trials and by dermatologists around Australia.
Planning a trip? Good news: because Protopic is applied to the skin and has minimal systemic absorption (blood levels are undetectable in most patients), it does not interfere with live or inactivated vaccines. You do not need to stop Protopic before travel vaccinations such as yellow fever, typhoid, or hepatitis A. Always tell your vaccination provider you are using it, but there is no evidence that it weakens your immune response. You can apply your ointment on the day of your vaccine—even on a different body area—without concern.
Cost is a real concern for people over 30 managing a chronic condition. Here’s a realistic comparison of out-of-pocket costs (private scripts, approximate as of 2025):
| Medication | Strength/Size | Approx. Private Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protopic (tacrolimus) | 0.1% 30g tube | $70–$85 | Generic tacrolimus now available, often $55–$70 |
| Elidel (pimecrolimus) | 1% 30g tube | $65–$80 | Similar class, usually for milder eczema |
| Betamethasone dipropionate | 0.05% 100g tube | $35–$50 | Cheap but steroid; long-term risks |
| Dupilumab (Dupixent) | 300mg injection every 2 weeks | $2,500+/month if private; PBS $31.60 per script for eligible severe cases | Requires specialist initiation |
When you weigh the cost of Protopic against the cost of repeated doctor visits, time off work, sleep deprivation, and the long-term skin damage from steroids, Protopic is not just affordable—it’s a smart investment in your skin.
You don’t have to live with the itch, the cracked skin, the embarrassment of flaking eyelids, or the 3 a.m. scratching marathons. Protopic is available in Australia by prescription, and your GP or dermatologist can assess whether it’s right for you. Here’s your action plan:
Thousands of Australian adults over 30 have already broken the steroid cycle with Protopic. Join them. Your skin—and your sleep—will thank you.
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not replace individual medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any treatment. Individual results may vary.
