When to wean.

The concensus from all the bodies responsible for child health and nutrition is that babies do not need weaning before 6 months. I.e. they do not need to be progressed from milk to solid food before then. The best advice is wait.

However mothers often do feel the need to introduce solids earlier. As babies get bigger, they will need a greater milk supply, either more bottles or more breastmilk. Sometimes mothers prefer to introduce solids than feed more, or replace breastmilk with formula. In recognition of this I have included some advice on introducing solids earlier.

Remember what you’re aiming for is a happy, unfussy eater who will sit at the table with the rest of the family and share their food. When in doubt, come back to this!

What they don’t tell you

Weaning is a hassle. Introducing solid food involves a lot more preparation and time feeding than milk feeding. Its does not guarantee a better night either. Also it inevitably means less close contact between you as the baby is not being held while feeding. So do not enter lightly, if you have a really hungry baby try to milk feed more for as long as possible. Growth spurts are sometimes mistaken for readiness for solids.

How to introduce solids

At 6 months

The iron babies are born with starts to run out at around 6 months which is why it is a good time to introduce solids food.

DO’S

• Start by introducing baby rice mixed with milk sometime in the middle of the day

• Leave 2 days before introducing a new food to check for any reactions

• On top of milk feeds introduce foods in order,

Stage 1: baby rice, pear, the fruit puree/vegetable puree*

Stage 2. more fruit and veg

Stage 3:: Introduce dairy, add yoghourt to food, mix a little cheese in with puree

Stage 4: Introduce protein, lentils, chicken etc.

• Gradually drop feeds as solid intake increase

• Aim for 2 milk feeds and three meals a day from all the food groups at around 9 months

• Try and stay relaxed, allow mess, simplify the preparation process to minimise effort

• Let them explore foods and feeding without dictating the menu

• Introduce finger foods lightly cooked carrot and green beans for example early.

DON’TS

• Get too stressed about the process, it is a ‘suck it and see’ process

• Add sugar or salt before 1 yr

• Let your baby get to attached to sweet foods such as pureed fruit or banana or any one food group.

Before 6 months

If you’re baby seems dissatisfied with 4-5 feeds a day, then the best thing you can do is up their milk intake until they reach 6 months. If you really feel you need to introduce solids then here are the essentials to know. But until this time milk will continue to be their most important source of nutrition.

• Only give baby rice mixed with milk to start with

• Introduce pureed pear next

• Keep up 4-5 milk feeds until 6 months

• Introduce new foods in the middle of day

• Introduce a new food every 3-4 days, progressing through the food groups as below.

• Avoid foods in the attached list

Practicalites – you will need

• Several bibs

• A weaning cup

• Shallow plastic spoons

• Plastic cups or Tupperware

• Several ice cube trays

• A chair or your lap

The simplest way to wean is to make batches of pureed food then pop out the required amount into a Tupperware dish the night before to defrost. Its better to defrost more than less, but a cube will be enough to start with. You can then mix food groups when you’re ready. E.g defrost 2 cubes of lentils with 2 cubes of carrots and introduce more taste experiences that way,

Combining breastfeeding and solids

Most babies will still take or want a milk feed once or twice or three times a day after weaning and until they grow out of it of parents decide its time to stop. It is quite possible for your baby to be eating 3 meals a day and still having a first thing and last thing breast feed from you at a year and beyond. However, how long your supply with last on less stimulation and how long your baby will want to feed for are to be discovered by you!

Useful websites

Simple clear advice www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4117080

The advice plus where it comes from and why

www.kellymom.co.uk

For a step by step guide

www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/baby/weaning/