· A balanced diet is made up of food from five groups: bread, cereals and potatoes, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and alternatives, milk and dairy foods, fats and sugary foods.

· Variety is important because it brings a wide range of nutrients: for the body to use one nutrient others are often required.

· Adjustments don't always mean major changes, sometimes just "tweaking" a day's menu will do the trick: a mid-morning apple or a pear, for instance, or some chopped peppers on a ready-made pizza.

· Babies who have small birthweights can do a lot of "catching up" growth in infancy, the first year of life.

· Although breastmilk is the "gold- standard", babies can still thrive on properly given formula.

· Rusks, rice and non-wheat cereals are good first foods followed by as wide a variety as possible.

· Low-fat, high fibre diets are not suitable for babies.

· Introduce different textures as well as tastes.

· Keep persevering: food that is spat out one week might be enjoyed the next.

· Beware of children getting fat at around the age of four or five: it can be a predictor of obesity in later life. There are two main culprits: snacks and lack of exercise.