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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 | General information only — always discuss your own health with your doctor.
If you are over 30, there is a good chance you have been told your blood pressure is “a little high” — or perhaps you have not been told at all. High blood pressure rarely causes obvious symptoms until damage has already occurred. As a doctor, I regularly see patients who feel tired, wake with headaches, struggle with poor sleep, or worry about their risk of a heart attack or stroke. Many of them have tried older blood pressure medicines and stopped because of a dry cough, swollen ankles, dizziness, or the constant need to urinate.
Here is the truth: not all blood pressure medicines are the same. If you are looking for a once-daily medicine that works for 24 hours, protects your heart and kidneys, and is generally well tolerated, telmisartan deserves your attention.
Telmisartan belongs to a class of medicines called angiotensin receptor blockers, or ARBs. It works by blocking a hormone called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II normally narrows your blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and increases strain on the heart. By blocking its action, telmisartan allows blood vessels to relax and widen, which lowers blood pressure smoothly and reduces the workload on the heart.
Compared with many older blood pressure tablets, telmisartan has a very long half-life. This means one morning dose gives you consistent 24-hour blood pressure control, including during the dangerous early-morning rise in blood pressure that is linked to strokes and heart attacks.
| Feature | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Blocks angiotensin II at the receptor | Relaxes blood vessels and lowers pressure without causing the dry cough often seen with ACE inhibitors |
| Long half-life | True once-daily dosing with protection that lasts through the night and early morning |
| Smooth onset | Less likely to cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when starting, especially with proper dosing |
| Metabolic neutrality | Generally does not worsen blood sugar or cholesterol levels |
Blood pressure control is important, but cardioprotection is about more than just the numbers on your monitor. Telmisartan has been studied in large clinical trials involving high-risk patients, including people with diabetes, coronary artery disease, and previous stroke. The evidence shows that telmisartan can reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, and non-fatal stroke in people at high cardiovascular risk.
In addition, telmisartan has been shown to reduce left ventricular hypertrophy — a thickening of the heart muscle caused by long-standing high blood pressure. This is important because a thickened heart muscle is a strong predictor of heart failure and irregular heart rhythms.
Many Australian doctors choose telmisartan when a patient needs more than just a simple blood pressure pill. It is a medicine that works on the blood vessels, the heart, and the kidneys simultaneously.
Telmisartan works best when combined with sensible dietary habits. The good news is that you do not need an extreme diet to see benefits. I recommend the following general approach:
For many people over 30, one blood pressure medicine is not enough to reach target. In Australia, telmisartan is available as a fixed-dose combination with amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker. This combination is available under brand names such as Twynsta and has become a practical option for patients who need two medicines in one tablet.
The combination is attractive because:
If you are currently taking two separate blood pressure tablets, ask your GP whether switching to a telmisartan/amlodipine fixed-dose combination is appropriate for you.
Like all medicines, telmisartan can cause side effects, but most people tolerate it well. The most common side effects are usually mild and may settle after the first few weeks.
| Side effect | How common | Practical advice |
|---|---|---|
| Dizziness or light-headedness | Common, especially when standing up quickly | Stand up slowly; ensure adequate fluid intake; report persistent dizziness to your doctor |
| Headache | Common early in treatment | Usually temporary; simple paracetamol may help if approved by your doctor |
| Fatigue | Occasional | Often improves after the body adjusts; review timing of dose with your GP |
| Back pain or muscle aches | Occasional | Mention to your doctor if persistent or bothersome |
| Diarrhoea or stomach upset | Uncommon | Usually mild and self-limiting |
| High potassium | Uncommon but important | Detected by blood test; more likely with kidney disease or certain diuretics |
People with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure are at particularly high risk of kidney damage, heart attack, and stroke. Telmisartan is often a preferred medicine in diabetes because it helps protect the kidneys and slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease.
However, diabetics need to be aware of a few specific issues:
Many Australians with high blood pressure also take a diuretic, often called a “fluid tablet.” Combining telmisartan with a thiazide diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide can be very effective, and this combination is sometimes prescribed deliberately.
But there are important interactions to understand:
Accidental overdose of telmisartan is uncommon, but it can happen. The main effects of an overdose are low blood pressure, dizziness, rapid or slow heart rate, and sometimes changes in potassium levels. Fortunately, telmisartan poisoning management is well established and usually supportive.
In hospital, management may include:
With appropriate supportive care, most patients recover fully. This predictable safety profile is one reason telmisartan is considered a reliable long-term medicine for blood pressure control.
If you are over 30 and concerned about high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, or kidney damage, telmisartan may be the medicine you have been looking for. It offers true once-daily dosing, strong heart and kidney protection, a lower risk of cough compared with ACE inhibitors, and a convenient combination option with amlodipine for those who need more intensive control.
Do not stop your current medicines suddenly. Instead, book an appointment with your GP and ask these questions:
Take control of your blood pressure today. Ask your Australian GP about telmisartan and whether a prescription is right for you. With the right medicine and the right lifestyle, you can protect your heart, brain, and kidneys for the decades ahead.
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace individual medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
