Grab the bibs and a ground sheet because things are going to get messy as you introduce solid foods. Gradually transitioning a baby's diet from solely breast milk or formula to other foods is often referred to as ‘weaning’, but it is also sometimes known as ‘introducing solids’ or ‘complementary feeding’.
WHEN DO I START?
The NHS recommends starting your baby on solid foods when they are around six months old.
It is important not to rush the process. Starting too early, especially before four months old, can put unnecessary strain on your child's digestive system. Signs that your baby may be ready include:
- Sitting up well and holding their head steady.
- Co-ordinating their eyes, hands and mouth to pick up food and bring it to their mouth.
- Swallowing food rather than pushing it back out with their tongue (a reflex of newborns).
Ask your GP or health visitor for advice if your baby was premature.
HOW TO PREPARE
It is advised that you have a sturdy high chair with a footrest. It can also be useful to have soft spoons, small bowls and tubs with lids. If you are puréeing food, a blender can be useful, but you can also use a fork.
Weaning is as much about your baby exploring food as it is nutrition. Food will inevitably be smeared onto your child and surrounding surfaces, so it can be advisable to invest in some wipeable bibs and a floor mat.
BABY-LED WEANING OR SPOON FEEDING?
Both are acceptable, so choose one or have a mixture of both. The most important thing is variety of food so they get the nutrients they need.
- Spoon feeding involves offering purées and gradually increasing the texture as your baby adapts.
- Baby-led weaning allows babies to feed themselves using soft finger foods.
WHAT FIRST?
Keep things simple and begin with a single-ingredient food, ideally a vegetable that isn't sweet, such as spinach, cauliflower or broccoli, which will help your baby to get used to a range of tastes. Cook the vegetable to soften it, then mash with a fork, blend it or give as a finger food. Gradually increase how much you give your child and the variety as they get used to eating.
Avoid processed foods and anything with added salt or sugar. Children should not be given honey until they are over a year old and soft cheeses, which may contain bacteria.
EXPLORING FOODS
Allow your child to experiment with different flavours and textures by also offering fruit, starchy foods, protein and dairy, such as:
- Toast fingers, pasta, sweet potato wedges, cornmeal.
- Chicken, lentils, tofu, pulses such as chick peas or hard-boiled egg.
- Mild cheese and full-fat plain yoghurt.
Babies need to learn to chew and manage lumpy food, so don't be afraid to introduce this. They should be eating texture by the time they are nine months old.
ALLERGENS
If you have a family history of allergies, consult your GP or health visitor. Otherwise, introduce allergenic foods, such as eggs and dairy, gradually while continuing to breast feed. You can also do this with nuts, as long as they are crushed, ground, smooth – or peanut butter.
Research suggests that this may reduce the risk of allergies, but be careful to start with small amounts and watch for any reactions, such as rashes, swelling or difficulty breathing.
DRINKS
During the first year, your baby's main source of nutrition should still be breast milk or formula, so offer these as usual. However, once you start introducing solid foods, it is a good time to encourage your baby to drink water with meals. Use a free-flowing cup rather than a bottle to support oral development.
CHALLENGES
- Refusing new foods: Persistence is key. Babies often need to try food ten times or more before they accept it.
- Mess and waste: Serve small portions to minimise waste and cover your child with a muslin or bib.
- Choking fears: Always sit with your child while they are eating, and consider taking a baby first-aid course.
Eating should be a fun, relaxed and social time, so sit down to eat as a family as much as possible – your baby will learn from watching you.
Also, avoid pressuring them to eat; trust they'll let you know when they are hungry or full.
