WHAT WEANING’S ALL ABOUT

Weaning is a gentle process that involves slowly and sensitively replacing your baby’s regular milk with nutritious food that will fill her with energy and encourage optimum growth and development. Bear in mind that eating is a learned skill, like walking and talking, and will take time for your baby to master. You have a window of opportunity between 6–12 months of age when your baby will eat pretty well, so take advantage of this to introduce a variety of new flavours that should set her on a path of healthy eating for life.

Your baby’s usual milk

From around six months, your baby’s regular milk will no longer provide her with all the nutrients she needs – in particular, vitamin D and iron – and her stores of these start becoming depleted by this stage. This is one reason why now is the ideal time to begin weaning, as missing nutrients need to be provided by food. It is, however, very important to remember that your baby’s milk will continue to form a significant part of her nutrition for many months to come, giving her the fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals she needs. What’s more, feeding your baby her milk will remain an important source of comfort and will help to continue the bonding process. Your baby will need breast milk or formula until she is at least 12 months old, when her diet is varied enough to offer the correct balance of nutrients. Breastfeeding can be successfully continued alongside the introduction of solid food. There is plenty of research to suggest that breast milk continues to offer antibodies well into toddlerhood, which can help your little one resist infection. It also contains a readily absorbed form of iron, as well as protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, making it a perfect complement to a healthy, varied diet.

PREMATURE BABIES

Babies born before 37 weeks will have fewer nutritional stores than full-term babies. Breastfed premature babies will require a multivitamin that contains high levels of vitamin D and an iron supplement. Some mums will also be given a supply of breast milk fortifier to enrich their breast milk. Bottle-fed premature babies will be given prescription milk fortified with vitamins and iron. A dietitian will advise when to switch to regular formula.

If your baby was born prematurely, start weaning her between 5–8 months from the birth, but not before three months after the due date. This is to ensure she is developmentally ready to digest solids, while at the same time balancing the need for more nutrients. As with all babies, look for signs of developmental readiness (see here). Premature babies should be regularly reviewed by a Registered Dietitian who is qualified in children’s nutrition.

Breastfeed your baby as usual, or, if she is on formula milk, make sure she gets at least 600ml (1 pint) per day. Most parents find it easiest to continue with the morning and evening feeds and fit the other milk feeds around mealtimes, gradually giving a little less as their baby takes more solids. Feed your baby after her first tastes instead of before, so that she is hungrier and more willing to try foods on offer. Top her up with a milk feed once she’s had a few spoonfuls of purée or rice.

Introducing a mixed diet

When you begin to wean your baby, you’ll be introducing her to new tastes and textures. At the outset, she’ll take these in the form of a liquid purée so that it’s similar to her milk – it should be almost the same consistency as yogurt – and then progress to lumpier, thicker purées, then chopped or lightly mashed. In baby-led weaning (see here), you’ll be introducing soft finger foods.

Variety is the order of the day. Introduce your baby to new foods (including those you may not usually have yourself!) every day or so. The greater the variety, the easier it will be to progress to a healthy, nutritious diet. Small amounts represent success in the early days, so don’t panic if she doesn’t manage a whole bowl.

The first stage is about introducing new tastes and textures and teaching the art of eating. If she doesn’t like what’s on offer, put it aside and try again another day.

TOP TIPS

Before you wean your baby, it’s helpful to be aware of the top tips for successful weaning:

• Make sure your baby is ready. Pushing a young, reluctant baby will make the start of weaning upsetting for you both.

• Babies sometimes find the process a little clinical and become upset when mealtimes no longer involve the comfort of sucking milk. When offering your baby her very first taste or two you may find it easier to hold her on your lap, as this will help her feel loved and secure.

• When babies feed from the breast or a bottle they instinctively push their tongue forwards. Now your baby needs to learn to keep her tongue at the back of her mouth. If she can’t get on with a spoon, try dipping a clean finger in the purée and let her suck your finger for the first few mouthfuls.

• Avoid feeding your baby when she’s tired, irritable, or very hungry.

• Don’t get hung up about portion sizes. If she’s taking a little, you’ve done well.

• Don’t compare your baby with others. She will develop at her own pace and it is no reflection on her intelligence or abilities.

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Weaning is a gentle process, involving slowly and sensitively replacing your baby’s regular milk with healthy, delicious, nutritious food.

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