Weaning your baby onto solid foods is one of the first major milestones they will hit in their first year. With so much information out there, it can become quite a daunting task. When should I start weaning my baby? What should the first foods be? What about allergies? These are just a few of the questions that may come to mind. We have worked with UK-based paediatric dietitians to provide you with our top tips on weaning, to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Is My Baby Ready?
Babies are usually ready for weaning around 6 months, but there are some key signs you should be looking for:
- Able to sit in a highchair without flopping forward
- Good head control and ability to bring hand to mouth
- Loss of tongue thrust reflex – if your baby spits or pushes the food straight back out with their tongue, they may not be ready
Start With Greens!
When introducing solid foods to your baby, it's important to start with bitter or savoury vegetables. Try introducing single green vegetables for 1-2 weeks. Introduce sweet-tasting vegetables later on to help your baby accept bitter tastes first.
Introduce Allergens
The latest advice from UK dietitians is not to delay the introduction of allergens. It is recommended to include these foods from 6 months of age and keep them in your baby's diet regularly. Begin with egg and then peanut, and then introduce cow's milk, wheat, soya, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame. These are the 9 common allergens. If your baby is tolerating these foods well, it's recommended to include them in their diet 2-3 times a week.
Trust The Process
It's normal for babies to not take to weaning straight away. Don't give up, every taste and texture is new to them, and it can take up to 20 exposures to a food before they readily accept it. It's important to remember that any exposure to food - mashing, touching, or throwing - is good. Think of it as fun exploration time, the more mess the better!
Flexibility Is KEY
Some babies may prefer to be spoon-fed with purees, while others may prefer finger foods. It's important to be flexible in your approach, even if you have your mind set on one way of introducing solid foods. Most babies prefer a mixture of both, which encourages good oral motor skills.
They Learn From The Best
Try to eat with your baby when you can, so they can learn how to chew and eat from you. A highchair at the table is a great idea.
Textures And Finger Food
It's important not to stay on smooth purees for more than 3-4 weeks. Your baby needs to get used to different textures. Also, it's essential to introduce finger foods to support pro-motor development and acceptance of textures.
We hope these tips have been helpful to you. Weaning doesn't need to be stressful, and we're here to help every step of the way through your weaning journey. Our meals are suitable from 6 months, but we recommend you start weaning with single components first and introduce allergens before starting with our meals. You can then use our meals all the way into pre-school!
