It’s recommended by the British Dietician Association Paediatric Group that weaning should begin at six months, as your baby starts to develop a sense of taste. The introduction of solid foods at this age should aim to make a child accustomed to a varied diet by the age of one.
There are two common ways to wean—spoon-fed weaning and baby-led weaning. Spoon-fed weaning involves introducing new foods in a puree form so the baby can grow accustomed to different tastes and textures. Baby-led weaning is when the baby chooses what and how much to eat from a range of solid foods. This allows the baby to be involved in family meals—some parents feed suitable foods from the family dinner to the baby for a sociable experience and to broaden the baby’s taste spectrum. When you start weaning, it’s recommended by the British Nutrition Foundation to continue milk feeding alongside the introduction of solid foods. They advise that foods such as avocado or sweet potato can be mashed and eaten during milk feeding to ensure a seamless transition to solid foods.
Whichever method you use, weaning is the first stepping stone to a baby’s relationship with food and so it is important to include a diet rich with nutrients and vitamins, and a range of foods to prevent allergies or fussiness when the child grows up.
Your baby’s first superfoods
Weaning is a great opportunity to start introducing your baby to new tastes and textures, including a wide range of nutrients and vitamins to nourish their system. The first foods a baby eats should include a range of fruits and vegetables, making sure that their diet is free from sugar and salt. For a nutrient-rich diet, its important to include foods that aid your child’s growth. After six months, iron needs to be restored as baby milk doesn’t provide enough iron. Foods rich in iron and folate such as kale or spinach will provide your child with antioxidants, iron and calcium for stronger bones. It is also important to include foods that are high with omega-3 healthy fats and vitamin A, C and D, such as avocados, blueberries, sweet potatoes and carrots. These are easy to chew on and can make great finger food—as well as providing your baby with the right amount of nutrients for healthy growth and development.
Foods to avoid
Be careful with foods such as grapes and cherry tomatoes, and foods containing skin like fish or apples as these can be a choking hazard.
Offer your kids organic food
Ready-made baby foods can be useful when on the go, just make sure you avoid meals that have added sugars and additives and always check the labels for sugar-free products. Here are our recommendations on brands that offer natural organic food for your baby to enjoy.
Goodness Gracious Bio Foods
Goodness Gracious Bio Foods caters to mothers who may not be able to breastfeed until the recommended six months, offering organic foods that can be introduced to your baby at four months. They are available in Wholefoods, Ocado and Asda.
Organix
Organix believe in providing children with tasty food that promotes the importance of healthy eating. Their new baby finger foods are perfect for a quick healthy snack that will encourage your child’s taste buds to enjoy healthier foods.
MiniScoff
Dedicated to providing your baby with wholesome meals, MiniScoff offer nourishing products made from organic ingredients that are locally sourced and handmade by chefs.
Read more on Celebrity Angels about infant health and possible food allergies when weaning.
