Starting on solid foods is an exciting milestone in the development of a baby and it should be a fun and rewarding experience for baby and parents/carers alike. However, whilst this is the start of a lifelong journey of food experiences and enjoyment, there are lots of things to consider and things that can prove stressful.
Weaning, also sometimes referred to as complementary feeding, is the gradual transition from a milk-only diet to solid foods. This process requires careful consideration and observation. Knowing when to begin and how to approach it can ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey for both you and your baby. In this guide, we will discuss the signs that indicate your baby is ready for weaning, different weaning methods, and essential tips for a successful transition.
When To Wean A Baby
There are two main things to consider when answering the question “when can you wean a baby?” These things are closely related and are:
Age – Most babies are ready to start weaning around six months of age. This is advice from the NHS. It’s a good idea to wait until the six month mark for several reasons. First, whether you’re feeding breast milk or formula feeding from a bottle, this will give the baby all of the nutrients they need (possibly with some additional help on vitamin D). Second, they need to be able to cope with solid foods and this will be around the six month mark, with the requisite mouth movement skills. Third, babies will be more able to feed themselves so it will be a more enjoyable experience for them.
Motor Skills – To successfully eat solid food, your baby should be able to sit up, stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady. This means they’ll be able to eat and swallow successfully. They should also be able to coordinate their mouths, eyes and hands at this point as well which allows them to pick up food and put it in their mouth.
Remember, at the start, it’s not about how much they eat. They’ll still be getting virtually all of their nutrition from formula or breast milk. It’s really about getting them used to the idea of eating solid food and enjoying exploring new tastes and textures as well as what they need to do to move food around in their mouths and swallow it.
How to wean a baby
There are a few different approaches to weaning a baby and the approach you choose is personal to you and your child. Remember, whichever approach you choose, your baby will only need a very small amount of food.
The most common approaches are:
Traditional (or Spoon-feeding) Weaning
What Is Traditional Weaning? – This method involves introducing purees and mashed foods with a spoon. Start with a single ingredient at a time, gradually progressing to mixed textures and combinations. Offer small amounts initially and increase as your baby’s appetite grows.
What Is Baby-led Weaning? – With this approach, babies are encouraged to self-feed by offering soft, age-appropriate finger foods. The focus is on exploring different textures, tastes, and shapes. Ensure appropriate food sizes and supervise closely during feeding to prevent choking hazards.
What Is Combination Weaning – This method combines elements of both spoon-feeding and baby-led weaning, allowing your baby to self-feed certain foods while offering purees or mashed foods for others.
It’s really important that you work at a pace that suits the baby. Don’t try and force your baby to eat food if they’re not interested. A baby may turn their head away or firmly close their mouth to indicate they’ve had enough.
Feeding can take a lot of time with some babies going through the process very slowly. Some foods are slow burners and it can take multiple tries for a baby to decide they like a certain flavour or texture. Keep going and keep offering them a variety of foods so they can explore widely and see what they like.
Once a child starts to show an interest in feeding themselves you should let them. This can mean presenting them with a bowl of food that they can use their hands with or giving them a spoon to operate themselves.
Other things to consider are:
Keep it relaxed – a relaxed atmosphere will be more fun for you and baby and make it more likely that they have a positive eating experience and adapt well to solid foods
Keep distractions away – it’s not a good idea to have a television, tablet or phone in front of a baby as this can distract them and mean they don’t focus on eating. Remember, eating is a lot of work for babies as they’ve never done it before.
Let the baby see you eating – kids copy their parents so seeing you eat is a great way to show them that food is exciting and a fun experience.
Start Smooth – Start with smooth blended or pureed foods at first. It’s a good idea though to try and transition as soon as possible to lumpier textures or even finger foods. Some babies won’t be into non-smooth foods right away but if you persist and keep offering they’ll get there.
Hygiene is vital – keep your baby safe and remember to keep all tools and surfaces used in preparation clean and wash your hands regularly.
Babies don’t like it hot – make sure any warmed food has had ample chance to cool down before serving. A bowl that indicates when food is too hot is a good idea.
Keep away from hard foods – pips, stones, seeds and bones can all be a choking hazard so remove or avoid them. Hard foods like nuts, apples and carrots should also be avoided. Popcorn is an absolute no as this is a choking hazard even for older toddlers. Never leave your baby alone when they’re eating. It can be a good idea to consider weaning equipment specifically designed to reduce the risk of chocking.
What Equipment Do You Need For Weaning?
A basic checklist of items for your baby when weaning should include:
- A high chair – To swallow properly Baby needs to be sitting safely in an upright position. Always use a securely fitted safety harness in a high chair. Never leave babies unattended in them.
- Plastic or pelican bibs.
- Soft weaning spoons – These will be less hard and uncomfortable on your baby’s gums
- Small plastic bowl – Bowls with a suction base help to keep everything in place.
- First cup – Introduce a cup at around the 6 month mark when you begin weaning and offer sips of water with meals.
Remember, you want weaning to be fun for babies and get them used to eating a variety of textures and flavours independently. Enjoy the experience and be inspired by what the baby likes and guide them on their food journey!
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