I’m a mum and nutritionist – here’s 6 simple ways to take the stress out of weaning your baby
EATING solid food can be a whole new experience for babies, a nutritionist has revealed.
And it can be new territory for parents as well.
Many can find the experience confusing, even if they’ve done it before.
The Sun reported this week that almost half of parents in England were giving their babies solid food too early, according to experts at Censuswide.
An equal portion of the 2,000 parents quizzed for the study were confused about how much to feed their baby and what sings indicated they were ready to be weaned.
A mum-of-two herself, Sunday Times best-selling author of The Science of Nutrition Rhiannon Lambert shared some tips to guide parents through the weaning process.
She told Sun Health: “One of the most important things to remember when weaning is finding a routine that works for you and your baby.
“Every family’s journey with weaning will be different, and even between children in the same family, the experience will be different.
“Be sure to go at your own pace and try to not compare yourself to other parents or children in similar situations.”
Patience is also important when it comes to weaning your child, she noted, as eating solid foods “is a whole new experience for them”.
“It may take them a while to get used to all the new flavours and texture that they are being exposed to,” Rhiannon added.
“In some cases, it may take more than ten attempts for your baby to start accepting a certain food regularly, so just keep offering and eventually this may become something that they start to eat more of.”
Rhiannon’s six weaning tips for parents
- Reduce choking hazards
Make sure finger foods are soft enough for babies to squash with their gums, Rhiannon said.
This is to help reduce the risk of choking.
2. Establish mealtime routines
Babies thrive off routine, so it’s a good idea feed them at the same times each day, Rhiannon suggested.
3. Role modelling
Eat as a family where you can, Rhiannon told parents.
This will encourage good role modelling. Your baby can learn to chew and swallow foods as they watch you.
4. Tools at the ready
Get prepared by having all the necessary equipment, such as soft-ended cutlery, bibs and floor mats, ice cube trays to freeze homemade purées etc.
5. You do you
Ultimately, do what works for you and your baby, Rhiannon said.
Whether that be baby led, purees, veg led, rice and fruit, there’s many option to trial and choose from.
When weaning her two little boys, Rhiannon started with vegetables and a mix of purees and finger foods.
6. Words matter
Most of all, it’s essential that no food is seen as good or bad.
“The language we use around food is also important,” Rhiannon pointed out.
“Keep it positive at all times if possible and try not to offer rewards with it for eating certain foods or certain amounts.”
Rhiannon recently revealed three foods to never give toddlers and advised parents on what they should be opting for instead.
Rhiannon Lambert (@rhitrition) is a registered nutritionist and Sunday Times best-selling author of The Science of Nutrition.