Moving On To Solid Foods
When should I start?
Having spoken to lots of mum’s there appears to be a common theme when talking about ‘weaning’. Pressure, to start because people they know have already started their babies on solid foods or pressure not to, because it’s earlier than six months.
Breastfeeding babies need 7mcg of vitamin D from 6 months of age and formula fed babies need 7mcg when they are beginning to have less than 500mls of formula each day
The government guidelines recommend that solid foods should be introduced when your baby is 6 months of age. Up until this age breast and formula milk should provide all the nutrients that they need for healthy growth and development.
If however, you decide to start your baby before 6 months, then it is important to avoid foods that contain:
- Wheat
- Gluten
- Eggs
- Fish/shellfish
- Liver
- Citrus fruits
- Soft/unpasteurised cheese
How do I know my baby is ready?
By 6 months your baby will be starting to sit up, hold objects and put them to his or her mouth. They will also start to show signs of being interested in the food you and your family are eating.
Introducing solids should be seen as an adventure which allows babies to experience different tastes and textures.
Try to introduce solid foods when your baby:
- Appears to still be hungry even when the milk has been increased
- Shows interest in solid food
- Wants to chew and may have teeth
- Can sit up
How do I start?
Offer a small amount of mashed fruit or vegetables after or in the middle of a milk feed.
Babies take time to learn how to take from a spoon. Be well prepared. It could be a messy experience!!!!!
If your baby doesn’t seem to want the food, wait and try later.
- Always wait for your baby to open his/ her mouth when offering the food
- Allow your baby to feed themselves, let them touch the food
- Don’t add any foods (including baby rice or rusk) to a bottle of milk
- Offer a variety of foods:
- Mashed bananas
- Papaya
- Cooked pear/apple
- Baby rice
- Mashed cooked vegetables such as carrot, potato, parsnip, sweet potato and butternut squash.
Start to introduce a cup at 6 months. Offer water, or if you choose to use juice dilute it one part juice to ten parts water. Aim for your baby to be off bottles by their first birthday.
What foods should I give?
As well as vegetables and fruit you can add other food:
- Mashed up lentils/split pulses
- Mashed up meat, chicken and fish
- Full fat dairy products
- Pasta, bread and rice
Finger foods should be encouraged even if your baby doesn’t have teeth! Finger foods provide chewing practice and encourage them to feed themselves.
Foods to try:
- Carrot sticks – raw
- Cooked green beans
- Cheese
- Toast
- Bread
- Pitta bread
- Chapatti
- Peeled apple
- Banana
Avoid sweet biscuits/rusks so your baby does not get into the habit of expecting sweet snacks.
How often and how much?
Move gradually from offering solid foods once a day to twice and then to three times a day. As your baby’s solid intake increases the amount of milk they want will reduce. Your baby is the best guide to how much solid food you need to give. Be guided by your baby’s appetite, but never rush or force feed them. Most babies know when they have had enough to eat.
Eating as a family
From around nine months, your baby should be learning to fit in with the family by eating three chopped or minced meals
per day, as well as milk. Fruit should be
offered between meals.
Carry on breast feeding or giving infant
formula milk each day until your baby is
a year old. Cow’s milk can be used in
cooking, but is not suitable as a drink.
Foods to avoid:
- Salt
- Sugar
- Honey
- Nuts
- Low fat-foods
Allergies
Exclusive breastfeeding is particularly recommended for the first six months if there is a family history of eczema, hayfever, or asthma. Foods such as milk, eggs, peanuts, seeds, fish and shellfish can cause allergies, and should therefore be introduced one at a time so that any reactions can be spotted.
There are also many books available that will guide you through the weaning process. If you have any worries or concerns then your health visitor will be able to guide you through this stage – give the team a call or pop along to your local baby clinic.
Remember to encourage your baby to enjoy the experience without forcing it to happen.
| For more information visit | |
 |
www.eatwell.gov.uk |
|
www.allergyuk.org |
| Mothers Choice - homemade baby foods delivered to you | |
 |
0800 088 7322 |
|
www.mothers-choice.co.uk |
| River Nene – organic vegetable boxes delivered to your door | |
|
01206 230769 |
|
davidandcarolyn@rivernene.co.uk |
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www.rivernene.co.uk |
