Rice porridge

Smooth and thick enough to stay on the spoon, with no whole grains of rice left.

Serve warm. Do not leave cooked rice standing — its storage rules are stricter than the other recipes.

Whole grains of rice are never served; cook until they break down, then mash.

Cooked rice has its own stricter rule: cool it within 1 hour, refrigerate it and eat it within 24 hours. Never reheat rice more than once; when you do reheat it, heat until steaming hot all the way through, then let it cool before serving. Throw away a half-eaten portion rather than storing or reheating it.

Your baby should be sitting upright and someone should stay with them while they eat. Add no salt, sugar or honey; honey is not given before one year. Babies do not all manage the same texture at the same age — follow your baby's pace rather than pushing. If your baby has an allergy, eczema, or a family history of allergy, talk to your GP or health visitor before introducing new foods.