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When should I start to think about weaning baby?
Weaning means the introduction of foods other than breast milk (or infant formula) to a
baby. The World Health Organisation and UK Government recommend introducing solid
food at about 6 months of age. In the first 6 months of life, babies can get all the fluid and
nutrients they need from breast or infant formula milk.
Important signs for a baby being developmentally ready include sitting up unaided and be able to make chewing motion. Your baby should be able to move food to the back of their mouth and swallow. You may feel your baby is ready before this, or cannot be interested in food at six months, be guided by your baby and seek support from your GP or local NCT Introducing Solids teacher for more support around this.
How long does weaning take?
This totally depends on the baby. Some babies embrace trying new food and are willing to try lots of different foods first time around. Other babies are quite happy with their milk and show no signs of interest in taking solid food - both are very normal behaviours. Be guided by your baby and don’t worry if they are not too bothered by food early on. Your baby is getting the majority of their nutrients from milk at this stage, so if they are not interested, just try another day, and remember that can take time to introduce new foods. It is important however to remember that variety is key in these early stages. You don’t want to stick to just vegetables and fruit for too long. Introducing different grains and protein soon afterwards and keeping up a mix of different flavours and textures is more important than the quantity at this stage.
Do I have to use baby-led weaning?
You can do whatever you feel is right for you and your baby. Introducing food to your baby
doesn’t have to be a set of rules or processes. Finger food is an important part of your
baby’s development, and is great for hand-eye coordination and speech development, but if you feel more comfortable starting with purees, then do what works best for you.
What is baby-led weaning?
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is the term used to describe a way of feeding your baby that skips
past the purees and letting your baby feed himself. Many parents follow BLW without even
thinking about it, or calling it that. With BLW you cut food up into manageable sticks and
offer it to your baby. They learn chewing before swallowing, while with purees, it is the
often the other way around. It is a messier way to introduce food, but is also great for development and really fun for babies. Some parents choose to do a mix; it really is whatever works best for you and your family.
With so many different options when it comes to weaning, it can be hard to know where to start. Alice Fotheringham, Infant Nutrition Specialist at Piccolo, the organic baby food brand, answers questions and provides a delicious recipe for your little ones.