Baby Food
Weaning and baby nutrition: baby food tips
Weaning is a major milestone for your baby, but don't start him on baby food and solids too soon, as his immature digestive system won't be able to cope. The Department of Health recommends delaying the introduction of solid foods until at least 6 months.
Here’s the latest guidance from the Department of Health on when to start trying baby food:
- Baby can sit up
- Shows interest in solid food
- Picks up food and puts it in his or her mouth
- Wants to chew and may have teeth
- Appears to still be hungry even though you’ve tried increasing milk feeds.
Solid foods whould not be introduced before the end of baby’s fourth month (at 17 weeks). If you decide to introduce your baby to solid food before six months, there are many foods which should be avoided. These include foods which contain wheat, gluten, eggs, fish, shellfish, liver, citrus fruits, soft and unpasteurised cheeses.
The Department of Health stresses mums should ask health visitors for advice if planning to start weaning before six months, particularly if baby was premature.
Visit The Baby Show to talk to our health visitors, who will have special sessions on the subject of weaning.
Remember that milk is a food, not a drink, so once your baby is on solids he'll need extra fluids to drink. Cooled freshly boiled water is best although you can add a few drops of pure, unsweetened fruit juice, such as apple (not citrus). Don't give him fruit squashes.
Homemade baby food
Try making some homemade baby food with the fresh, ripe ingredients you have at home. It doesn't have to involve a lot of effort or trouble; a simple meal of mashed banana, ripe avocado or sweet potato is ideal, and portions can be frozen providing enough food ahead of time if working mums find it difficult. It's very reassuring to know that your baby is eating fresh homemade baby food as an alternative to convenience, pre-cooked shop food which sometimes has months of shelf-life. You will encourage your baby to learn about the wonderful variation of tastes and aromas that exist in homemade baby food, as well as provide him with the very best ingredients for his health.
Poor nutrition can cause problems for babies and children which can last for the rest of their lives, but making baby food with the fresh ingredients you have at home gives baby the best nutrition, helping him gain strength and maintain good health. An additional benefit to making baby food is that it often works out much cheaper, so you can save a bit of money while providing him with really wholesome nourishment.
Make sure you provide an adequate supply of calories too. Although you may want to eat low-calorie, high fibre foods, it's not appropriate for your growing baby to do so. He needs the whole variety of dietary components homemade baby foods can offer, including the calories we would rather forego! Remember to always serve small amounts and never force your baby to eat, even if you think he is not getting enough. Their stomachs are tiny and cannot hold large amounts of food at once.
You can get lots of information on baby nutrition at The Baby Shows including practical advice from food guru Annabel Karmel and you can also buy baby food and equipment from specialist companies
Baby food tips
AGE BABY FOOD TIPS
0-5 months
Breast milk or infant formula provide all the nutrients and energy a baby needs at this age. The World Health Organisation and the Department of Health both recommend that "to achieve optimal growth, development and health, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life." Around six months of age your baby will need other nutrients in his diet, especially iron, but it is up to parents to decide precisely when it's best to start weaning.
5-9 months
Introduce some simple solid foods into baby's diet, such as rice or baby cereal, mixed with breast or formula milk. After this, try some pureed fruits and vegetables such as carrots, bananas and apples. Introduce one new food every few days to allow the baby's system to adjust, and watch for any unusual reactions. Never add salt, sugar, honey or other kinds of sweeteners to your baby's food.
9-12 months
Start offering your baby a wider range of foods to get him used to the different consistencies, aromas and tastes of everyday family food. See if he likes bread, pasta, oats or even couscous. Rather than purees, try offering mashed or minced foods, deliberately including some lumps! Your baby can now digest fish, eggs and some dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese. Citrus fruits and finger foods are also great for baby at this age.
