Tips Weaning Your Child
When to begin
The current UK advice is to stick to breast milk (or formula if your baby isn’t breastfed) for the first six months. But babies’ needs are individual – some need food a little sooner, and others are fine on milk only for a little longer. A lot of parents begin with purees, but this isn’t essential. From around six months onwards, your baby can use their fingers and hands to bring food to their mouth, and this ‘baby-led’ weaning approach is a good way of helping them to learn the connection between taste, appearance and texture.
First tastes can include:
* Mashed vegetables such as parsnip, carrot, courgette, potato or yam
* Mashed fruit such as pear, cooked apple, banana and mango
* Rice, cornmeal, millet or baby rice mixed your baby’s usual milk
If the food is hot, make sure you stir and test it before giving it to your baby. Don’t add any foods to a bottle with milk, as it could cause your baby to choke. Don’t force-feed them – if they do not seem to want the food, try again another day. Your baby should still be having breastfeeds or 600ml (one pint) of formula milk a day.
Weaning advice
* Don’t rush your baby – give them as much time as they need to feed
* Make sure you’re both relaxed before you start to feed
* Feed your baby on your lap or in a high chair
* When introducing new foods, try to mix them in with familiar ones
* Go at your baby’s pace and don’t be upset if they refuse the food – they will get used to the idea
* Weaning can be a messy business so make sure you’re prepared to get your clothes, flooring and your baby very dirty indeed.
Over the next few months
* Try to increase the amount of food your give your baby – i.e.; – two of their meals each day
* Don’t add any salt to your baby’s food – if they are eating food prepared for the whole family, make sure their portion has been set aside before seasoning
* Small amounts of sugar may be required to take away the sharpness from fruit such as gooseberry and rhubarb, but avoid adding sugar to food and drinks
Preparing your own food for your baby is cheaper than buying ready-made jars, because it can be made in bulk and frozen, and you know exactly what the ingredients are.
Can babies eat everything?
If your baby is six months or older, there are no foods they can’t have, unless you know they are at risk of allergy. Stick to breast milk or formula milk as a drink until your baby is a year old (cow’s milk is fine in cooking, or to mix with other foods). It’s probably wise to avoid honey until your baby is one because of the very small risk of botulism. Don’t add salt or sugar to your baby’s food.
Bought baby foods
Pre-prepared jars or packet foods are convenient, especially if you’re visiting friends or travelling and need to take something for your baby. If you do give her ready-made food, try to mix it with fresh foods.
* Choose ‘sugar-free’ foods or those that don’t contain added sugars or sweeteners (check the label)
* Check the seals on cans and jars haven’t been broken and they haven’t exceeded their sell-by date
* Check they’re suitable for your baby’s age
* Buy gluten-free and egg-free food for babies less than six months
* Check drink labels carefully, even baby drinks labeled ‘low sugar’ or ‘no added sugar’ often contain some sugar and may harm your baby’s teeth
Drinks
* Breast milk
* Infant formula can be used for babies up to one year and beyond
* Once your baby’s teeth have come through, try to cut out a bedtime bottle to avoid tooth decay
* Water is the best alternative drink to milk – avoid bottled water as it can have higher mineral and salt contents
* Citrus fruit juices can be used after six months – they’re a good source of vitamin C but are acidic and have high sugar content, so try to dilute with water
* Squashes, fizzy drinks, flavoured milk and juice drinks are unsuitable for babies because of their sugar and additives
* Tea and coffee aren’t suitable drinks for babies or young children because they reduce iron absorption and cause tooth decay if they’ve got sugar in
When choosing childcare be sure that they are able to suit you child feeding needs.
Any children’s nursery will be able to give you further advice.
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