One more. The nine long months are over and the family has taken on a new life: a baby to love, protect and bring up in the best possible way. A proper diet is among the priorities to be followed in order to establish the best conditions for a growing child.

Artificial or human? In the Fifties the emergence of artificial milk represented giant steps ahead, offering an alternative to mothers unable to breast-feed. However, after the initial excitement of that time had died down, evolving medical theory meant a return to natural breast-feeding in the Seventies, considered to be by far the most suitable method for babies' healthy and harmonious development.

Mother's is best. It was especially noted that mother's milk guaranteed increased protection of the immune system - including for the future - compared to artificial milk. A further discovery was that breast-feeding favours the relationship between mother and child considerably more, increasing a unique familiarity and intimacy between the two. It's not for nothing that today the first feed is encouraged within half an hour of the birth, allowing the baby to be in contact with the mother's breast and skin.

Watch out for medicines! Obviously if the mother has a viral infection, is severely weakened or is addicted to smoking or alcohol breast-feeding is out of the question. Furthermore the taking of certain medicines is unsuitable: among these is the common anti-histamine taken for various allergies. Others, for example aspirin, are not harmful and can be taken without risk. Because of the above problems medical advice should be adhered to.

First experiences. The beginning of a relationship with the external world comes about through the contact between mother and child. The experience of pleasure: on the one hand, suction and feeding, on the other, maternal warmth. The experience of trust: accepting what is needed from another. The experience of change: mother's milk varies in taste and the baby discovers different flavours…

Not less than 4, not more than 6. Weaning, according to guidelines laid down by the World Heath Organisation, should begin not before the fourth month and not beyond the sixth, to allow the correct development of renal and gastrointestinal apparatus. A baby can easily continue to breast-feed up to the twelfth month. If this is impossible then special milk may be used instead, but not pasteurised. 

New foods and tastes. The first food can be made up of gluten-free pasta, vegetable broth, meat or vegetable puree baby-food; to dress it olive oil or parmesan may be used. After 4-6 months others foods can be added, including cheese, cereal with gluten, fruit, fish and cooked ham. At the eighth month pulses can be introduced into the diet, then, month by month, egg yolk, fresh meat and egg white.

Important stages. For a baby weaning is a fundamental and delicate phase as it means partial loss of intimacy with the mother but also the attainment of independence. He is forced to get used to a teaspoon which is cold and hard but to compensate he can move on to greater freedom.

Learning at table. It's important for the mother to respect meal times, remembering that every child has its own history and behavioural models are not geared to every individual baby. Furthermore, meal times should be put to good use to educate and allow the child to discover the feel of objects on the table, as well as different foods. So let's not worry about their little games at the table…the name of the game is: no to repression!