Baby development: 15-16 weeks old

• Repeating the same little games and songs might seem boring to an adult, but it helps babies learn... so how about another round of “incy wincy spider”?
• Putting a mirror where your baby can see his or her reflection can lead to some wonderfully confused faces!
• It’s good for babies’ neck muscles to be put down on their tummies to play - a soft play mat with interesting colours and textures is useful here.
• A bouncing cradle will let your baby see more - and it also bounces when baby kicks

A few more jabs are in store for your little one at around 4 months old - but it's all for a very good cause, and there'll be no more until around 12 months. (Whew!) For more information, check the NHS vaccination planner.

You'll soon be thinking about giving your baby that first taste of solid food. Another milestone - how exciting! For a look at what's in store, how to tell if your baby's ready, and what you might want to have on hand for the big day, head over to our section on weaning.

Health professionals usually advise parents to start weaning at 6 months of age, but they also recognise that some babies are ready to try solids sooner than this. There is such a thing as too early, though - before the age of 17 weeks, your baby's digestive system isn't mature enough to digest solid food. If you think your baby might be ready to wean before 6 months, your best bet is to discuss it with your GP or health visitor.

Babies’ systems are still immature and vulnerable, so it's smart to give them only the very purest and safest foods. Like many parents, you may be thinking of ‘going organic’ when you start weaning - after all, your baby deserves the best. Organic food tastes great, it's chock-full of important nutrients, and most of all, it's grown without chemically synthesised pesticides.

That's why many health professionals believe it's safer to feed babies an organic diet*.

* Independent research conducted by Durdle Davies in 2005 and 2006

If you like to get ready in advance, check out the organic fruit and vegetable sections in your supermarket. Organic carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, and other simple ingredients are all great first foods to cook and purée for your baby.

Here at HiPP, we have over 60 years' experience in bringing you a delicious range of organic (and guilt free!) ready-to-eat weaning foods. HiPP Organic Baby Rice, for example, is a gentle first food because it is very pure, simple and mild. Mix it with baby’s usual milk, or use it as a base for fruit or vegetable purées. HiPP Organic ‘Purely Fruit’ purées are also an excellent choice – they're 100% delicious organic fruit, nothing else.

If you're looking for ideas, you can also download the HiPP step-by-step weaning chart. It's easy to print and stick on the fridge, and then you'll have everything you need to remember in one easy spot.