This month paediatric food allergy clinicians from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute claimed starting babies on solids at four months would give them the best chance of avoiding food allergies.

This is at odds with the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines which recommend introducing solids at six months.

‘’Parents get a lot of conflicting information but I think the most important advice is to not introduce solids before four months, and to not delay after six months,’’ Ms Spink said.

‘’It’s about whether an infant is developmentally ready and that will vary, though there are signs of readiness parents can look for.

‘’These include if their child is showing interest in food; if they are able to sit up relatively unaided; or if they’ve lost that tongue thrust reflex where they’re pushing everything out of their mouth.’’

For Warrawong mother Clare Jessop, it was clear that five-month-old son Levi was more than ready.

‘’Breastmilk alone wasn’t filling him up – he was always watching me eat,’’ she said.

‘’Now he can’t get enough of it, he loves it – and he’s settling and sleeping much better as a result.’’