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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.
Written from the perspective of an Australian GP who has helped hundreds of patients over 30 reclaim their health.
If you are over 30, you have probably felt it. Your favourite jeans no longer fit the way they used to. You eat less than you did in your twenties, but the scales keep creeping up. You feel tired, your knees ache, your blood pressure is climbing, and your doctor has started using words like “pre-diabetes” or “metabolic syndrome.” Maybe you have tried low-carb diets, intermittent fasting, gym memberships, meal replacements — only to regain everything and feel like a failure.
As a doctor, I hear this story every single day. The truth is, for many people over 30, the problem is not lack of willpower. It is hormonal. That is where semaglutide enters the picture — a medication that has fundamentally changed how we treat type 2 diabetes and chronic weight issues.
Semaglutide belongs to a class called GLP-1 receptor agonists. It mimics a natural gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which tells your brain you are full, slows stomach emptying, reduces appetite, and improves insulin release. In simple terms, it works with your body, not against it.
One of the most practical advantages is its long elimination half-life of approximately 165 hours — about one week. This means semaglutide stays in your system steadily and can be given as a once-weekly injection, unlike older medications that need daily dosing. No complicated pill schedules, no daily reminders — just one simple dose per week.
| Feature | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Elimination half-life | Approximately 165 hours (~7 days), allowing once-weekly dosing and stable blood levels. |
| Form | Subcutaneous injection (Ozempic, Wegovy) or oral tablet (Rybelsus) in specific cases. |
| Main uses in Australia | Type 2 diabetes, chronic weight management, and reducing cardiovascular risk in eligible patients. |
| Typical starting dose | Low dose, gradually increased over several weeks to reduce stomach side effects. |
In Australian clinical practice, semaglutide is available under brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Ozempic is primarily indicated for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is approved for chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or 27 and above with weight-related health problems. Rybelsus is the oral version used for type 2 diabetes.
When patients ask me whether semaglutide is worth trying, I focus on what the evidence shows. In large clinical trials, people using the weight-management dose of semaglutide lost an average of around 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Many also saw improvements in blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, joint pain, sleep apnoea, and overall quality of life. For someone weighing 100 kg, that is a potential 15 kg loss — enough to reduce knee strain, lower cardiovascular risk, and restore confidence.
Nausea and occasional vomiting are the most common side effects, especially during the first few weeks or after a dose increase. This happens because semaglutide slows stomach emptying deliberately. The good news? For most patients, these effects are temporary and manageable.
Heartburn or acid reflux is another common complaint. Because food stays in the stomach longer, stomach acid can rise into the oesophagus, causing a burning feeling behind the breastbone. This is usually worse after large meals or when lying flat after eating.
Patients rarely consider this, but it is an important point. Semaglutide itself does not directly damage teeth. However, frequent vomiting can expose tooth enamel to stomach acid, increasing the risk of dental erosion. Some people also experience a drier mouth, which can encourage plaque build-up.
Some patients ask whether they should take digestive enzyme supplements while on semaglutide. Because semaglutide slows digestion, you may feel bloated, heavy, or full after meals. In selected cases, a digestive enzyme preparation may help break down food and ease fullness. However, this is not routinely necessary and should only be started after discussion with your doctor, because enzymes can alter the absorption of certain medications and nutrients. A better first step is to eat smaller, more frequent meals and chew food thoroughly.
This is a crucial interaction to understand. As you lose weight, your blood pressure often drops naturally. Semaglutide may further enhance this effect. If you are taking blood pressure medication — such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers or diuretics — your GP may need to reduce your dose to prevent dizziness, fainting or dangerous hypotension.
Any form of rapid weight loss — including with semaglutide — can increase the risk of gallstones and gallbladder inflammation. Semaglutide has been associated with gallbladder events in some users. If you already have gallbladder disease, gallstones, or have had your gallbladder removed, tell your doctor before starting.
| Issue | Why It Happens | Practical Doctor’s Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Vomiting | Slower stomach emptying; appetite reduction | Small bland meals, gradual dose increase, stay upright after eating, contact doctor if severe. |
| Heartburn | Delayed gastric emptying; acid reflux | Avoid trigger foods, do not eat late at night, elevate bed head, discuss antacids with GP. |
| Dental erosion | Vomiting exposes teeth to acid; dry mouth | Rinse with water after vomiting, delay brushing, maintain hydration and dental visits. |
| Bloating / fullness | Slowed digestion | Smaller meals, chew well; consider digestive enzymes only if advised by your doctor. |
| Low blood pressure | Weight loss plus direct vascular effects | Monitor BP regularly, report dizziness, allow GP to adjust hypertension medication. |
| Gallstones | Rapid weight loss increases gallbladder risk | Report severe abdominal pain, fever or jaundice immediately; discuss gallbladder history. |
In my experience, most patients who start semaglutide are surprised by how quickly their appetite calms down. They stop thinking about food constantly. They feel full after normal-sized meals. The knee pain improves, the blood sugar drops, and the waistband loosens. Yes, side effects can occur — but they are usually manageable and far outweighed by the long-term health gains when the medication is used correctly under medical supervision.
This is the part many people get wrong. In Australia, semaglutide is a prescription-only medicine. You cannot legally buy it over the counter, and you should never buy it from unregulated online websites, social media sellers, or overseas pharmacies without a valid Australian prescription. Those products may be counterfeit, contaminated, or incorrectly dosed — putting your health at serious risk.
Where to buy semaglutide in Australia: Start with your GP or a licensed Australian telehealth clinic. They will issue a valid prescription if clinically appropriate, and you can purchase your medication from any registered Australian pharmacy. This is the only safe, legal and reliable route.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and represents a doctor’s perspective. It does not replace individual medical advice. Semaglutide is a prescription-only medicine and is not suitable for everyone. Always consult an Australian-registered health professional before starting, changing or stopping any medication. Individual results may vary.
