The meaning of. When is it best to start?

There comes a time when a baby needs more nourishment than breast or infant formula alone can provide.

Weaning

There is more to learning to eat than meets the eye – so it is best to

wean a baby gradually.

What and when you introduce different foods is important and this booklet guides you

through the stages of weaning.

The meaning of

1 2

Government guidelines strongly encourage mothers to breast-feed their baby

exclusively (i.e. offer only breast milk) for the first six

months of life.

Not too soon

Don’t be tempted to start weaning your baby too soon because their body will not be

ready to cope with food other than breast or infant formula.

As a guide, if a baby’s head and back support still seems to be

weak and they are unable to remain seated when partially supported, they are not ready

to be weaned.

Mums who breast- feed need to make sure they have a very

nourishing diet - see Bump 2 Baby for more information.

Not too late

Delaying weaning beyond six months may

mean that your baby misses out on important

nutrients such as vitamins and iron.

When is it best to start?

Every baby is an individual and babies develop at different rates. Most babies should be weaned around six months and not before four months (seventeen weeks). If you do give your baby solids before six months,

there are some foods that should be avoided because they are sometimes linked to allergy (see page 8). Speak to your health visitor if you

have concerns about this. It is important not to rush your

baby into taking solids and to let them

guide you.

weaning!

Start slowly –

before or during a milk feed, offer a few small

plastic teaspoons of:

How to start

cereal (not wheat-based before 6 months) mixed with breast milk or infant formula

e.g. maize, baby rice or puréed cooked rice

or

cooked vegetable, puréed or mashed

e.g. potato, yam or parsnip or

fruit, puréed or mashed e.g. banana, mango or cooked apple.

What next?

Mash rather than purée vegetables and combine potato, yam or parsnip with other vegetables.

Slowly increase the amount of solid food offered – try to match the portion size to your baby’s appetite.

Gradually increase the number of solid food feeds from one, to two and then to three a day.

Whole milk baby yogurt and fromage frais can be introduced.

Go for variety – if they are not interested in the food, don’t panic, try again with different foods.

Weaning takes patience.

NOTE: Babies weaned at six months may take considerably more than one teaspoon

right from the beginning.

Babies weaned at six

months may be ready for

mashed foods.

3 4

Continue to give your baby breast milk or infant formula. Always offer

food on a spoon – never add it to a

bottle.

Introduce one food at

a time.

Make sure your baby is well supported in a sitting position and

start feeding slowly.

Never leave your baby alone when

eating.

Once your baby has accepted and is eating the first simple foods, mashed food that combines both cooked

meat or pulses (peas, beans or lentils e.g. dahl) and vegetables

should be offered.

Soft food

Prepare soft food (e.g.

banana, mango, melon and avocado) by mashing it with a fork. If making a purée and there are still lumps, push the food through a sieve with a

spoon. Alternatively, use a hand-held blender.

Don’t add sugar or salt to baby food.

To make a purée thinner , add breast or infant formula.

purées

5 6

Perfect Cooked fruit

Hard fruits such as apples need cooking before being mashed

and puréed.

Peel, core, rinse and chop the fruit into small pieces. Place in a saucepan with two

tablespoons of water and cover with a lid.

Cook over a low heat until the fruit is soft (about 5 to 10 minutes). Mash or

push the cooked fruit through a sieve.

Marvellous

Mashes

and

Cooked vegetable

Vegetable such as carrots, potatoes, parsnips and broccoli need to be cooked before being mashed or puréed.

Peel off any skin, and then rinse and chop the vegetables into small pieces. Steam or boil in a pan until soft (about 10 to15 minutes). Mash with a fork or potato masher.

If a purée is desired and there are still lumps, push the food through a sieve.

nosh! ^Safe

Handy hint

Make batches of purée and freeze in ice-cube trays.

Once frozen, empty cubes into a freezer bag. Defrost cubes as required in the fridge overnight

or using defrost settings on the microwave. Reheat food thoroughly

until hot all the way through.

But remember to let food cool down before offering

it to your baby.

Top tips –

for keeping baby food safe

7 8

Consult your health visitor if there is a

family history of allergy such as eczema, hayfever

or asthma.

• Keep all utensils and surfaces really clean.

• Wash your hands and your baby’s hands before meals.

• Always feed your baby with a separate spoon and plate.

• Throw away half-eaten food.

• When heating up food, always stir it well.

• Check the temperature before offering food to a baby.

From six months

Foods linked to allergy

From six months onward, foods that can cause allergies such as eggs, wheat, peanuts*, nuts*, seeds, fish, shellfish, milk** and dairy foods (such as yogurt and cheese) and foods containing these ingredients can be introduced one

at a time. If your child is at high risk of peanut allergy (has already been diagnosed with a food allergy or eczema or there is family history of allergy such as eczema, hayfever, food allergy or other types of allergy) you should speak to your healthcare

professional before you give peanuts or foods containing peanuts for the first time.

Soya products should only be used if advised by your healthcare professional, as babies who are allergic to cows’ milk may also be allergic to soya. Goats’

milk products, even if formulated for babies, are not suitable for babies.

Foods to take care with

Foods with skin and large chunks of hard foods such as raw carrots, apples, sausages, and fish with bones can cause choking. Lightly cook hard fruits and vegetables, cut all food into small pieces, and remove all skin and bones before

feeding any food to your baby. Also take care with small round foods like grapes or cherry tomatoes, removing any stones or pips.

Foods to avoid in the early stages of weaning

*Nuts: Whole nuts should not be given to children under 5 years due to risk of choking.

Salt: Do not add salt to your baby’s food or use stock cubes or gravy, as these are often high in salt. Too much salt is not good for your baby. Always check food labels.

Sugar: Your baby does not need added sugar. Avoiding sugary snacks and drinks will help prevent tooth decay.

Honey: Do not introduce before 1 year.

**Cows’ milk: This can be used in cooking but do not give as a drink until 1 year.

Low fat foods: Do not introduce before 2 years – fat is an important source of energy and some vitamins for babies and young children.

Eggs: Avoid raw eggs and always make sure the whites and yolks are cooked until firm.

Important

For babies weaned at six months: a baby’s tummy is better developed by this age so new foods and textures can be introduced more quickly and, because they are that bit older, they will naturally progress through the weaning stages much quicker than a younger baby. Many babies are holding things at 6 months

and will be ready for soft finger foods. It is really important to encourage your baby to eat a wide variety of foods from all food groups (see page 12) early on

to ensure they don’t miss out on any essential nutrients. Some babies may require vitamin supplements - contact your GP or health visitor for advice.

For babies weaned at five months (e.g. premature babies): start by giving purées and introduce foods gradually, increasing the number of meals as and when your baby is ready. See page 8 for foods to avoid during this time.

9 Menu planner for weaning stage one

It may take your baby time to learn

how to eat different foods, so

be patient and keep trying

10

Your baby still needs breast milk or infant formula

each day.

Never leave your baby alone with a bottle

or give a bottle to help with sleep as it could cause choking as well

as damaging teeth.

Let your baby decide when he

or she has had enough – babies’

appetites vary from day to day.

*Mashed food with soft lumps should be introduced from around six months Number of

meals a day Breakfast

Midday

Early evening

Late evening

Then move on to:

Two

Baby rice mixed with breast or infant formula Breast or infant

formula

Fruit or vegetable purée or mash*

and breast or infant formula Breast or infant

formula

Finally increase to:

Three

Baby rice mixed with breast or infant formula Purée or mash*

of meat or pulses and vegetables

Fruit purée or mash* and breast

or infant formula Breast or infant

formula Start

with:

One

Breast or infant formula

Breast or infant formula

Baby rice mixed with breast or infant

formula Breast or infant

formula

It’s now time to gradually move from

Offer your baby several small meals each day.

Slowly introduce a wider range of foods and some water.

Weaning Each day, try to give your baby:

Finger foods

Make sure your baby is in a sitting position

when eating. Always stay near your baby – in case of

choking.

From six - nine months Introduce:

Wheat products and foods that contain gluten

(e.g. bread, pasta, breakfast cereal and other foods made

from wheat, oats, rye or barley) Citrus fruit

(e.g. oranges, grapefruit and satsumas) Well-cooked eggs with solid yolks Cubes of cheese as ‘finger food’

Meat, chicken, fish and shellfish (well-cooked, with no bones).

Avoid:

Whole or broken nuts and seeds (until five years)

Honey (until one year).

11 12

• Starchy foods (e.g. potato, pasta, bread and rice)

• Fruit and vegetables

• Meat, fish, pulses (peas, beans or lentils e.g. dahl) or well- cooked egg (with a solid yolk).

• Milk (not as a main drink) and dairy

Once your baby can hold things, offer soft ‘finger foods’:

• toast

• cooked green beans

• cooked carrots

• cubes of cheese

• peeled ripe banana

• peeled ripe pear.

Note: Hard finger foods such as raw

carrot or unripened pear are unsuitable.

stage two

Babies need to learn how to drink rather than suck - give your baby a free-flow lidded beaker rather

than a bottle.

Your baby should still

consume some breast or infant formula during

the day.

Menu planne r

*mixed with either breast, whole cows’ milk or infant formula

Day 3

Mashed banana and toast fingers Small cup of orange juice (diluted) Lentil and vegetable bake Semolina with strawberries Breast or infant formula Macaroni cheese Breast or infant formula

Breast or infant formula Day 1

Baby rice or porridge*

Small cup of orange juice (diluted) Spaghetti

bolognese (mashed) Plain fromage frais with stewed apple

Breast or infant formula

Fish, broccoli and mashed potato Cooked carrot (finger food) Breast or infant formula Breast or infant formula

Day 2 Wheat-based cereal*

Small cup of orange juice (diluted) Minced lamb and vegetable casserole with mashed potato Soft, ripe peeled pear or peach (finger food) Breast or infant formula

Scrambled egg with toast, chapatti or pitta bread Breast or infant formula

Breast or infant formula Breakfast

Midday

Early evening

Late evening

matters

13 14

Milky

for weaning stage two

Although you should not give your baby cows’

milk to drink, you can use it in

cooking.

Milk-based puddings like yogurt or rice pudding are

good milky options.

Soy-based infant formula should only be given if specifically recommended by your

GP, or dietitian.

Start meals with solid food and finish

with a drink of breast or infant formula.

As your baby starts to eat more solid food, he or she will want less

breast or infant formula. Keep giving breast or infant formula

on waking and at bedtime.

Only breast or infant formula should be given as a main drink to the under ones. Follow-on formula must not be given before six months. It’s not essential after six

months for most babies either.

If your baby is six months or older, is breastfed and/or drinking less than 500mls of

formula milk each day give them vitamin drops containing

vitamins A, C and D. Your GP or health visitor can advise you on amounts. Vitamin drops are available under the Healthy

Start scheme

Weaning

Now it’s time for chopped or minced family meals.

Your baby will be eating 3 meals a day and may need snacks.

Introduce snacks e.g. cubes of cheese or plain yogurt with added fruit.

Each day, try to give your baby:

• 3 or 4 servings of starchy foods

(e.g. potato, pasta, bread and rice)

• 3 or 4 servings of fruit and vegetables

• at least 2 servings of meat, fish (well-cooked, with no bones) or well-cooked egg, or at least 2 servings of pulses (peas, beans or lentils e.g. dahl).

Most children are ready to join in with family meals by their first birthday.

Try and make their diet as varied as possible.

Whole milk can now be introduced as a main drink. Milk should be given in a cup.

15 16

Feeding

Stage four (a one-year-old) Stage three (nine - twelve months)

For a FREE copy of Tiny Tums!

- A guide to healthy eating for the one

to fives contact The Dairy Council at [email protected] Continue giving

your baby breast milk or infant formula each day

from a free-flow lidded beaker.

Each day, try and give your child:

• Starchy foods (e.g. potato, pasta, bread and rice) at each meal

• 5 servings of fruit and vegetables (a child’s portion is the amount they can fit in the palm of their hand)

• 1 or 2 servings of meat, fish or egg, or 2 or 3 servings of pulses (peas, beans or lentils e.g. dahl)

• About 3 servings of milk a day, either as a drink or in the form of milk-based dishes, hard cheese or yogurt.

answered

Your questions

How can I make sure my baby gets enough iron?

Babies are born with a store of iron that will last about six months.

After that they need to get iron from their food. Give your baby some of the

following: beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, eggs, pulses (peas, beans or lentils e.g. dahl) and oily fish such as mackerel and salmon. Giving your baby foods containing vitamin C (such as well diluted fruit juice, or green vegetables)

along with the foods above will help them make best

use of the iron.

Is it OK to give my baby goats’ or

sheep’s milk?

No, only breast or formula milk should be given until your baby

is one-year-old.

Should I give my baby fruit drinks, squash or fruit juice?

Beware, these drinks contain sugars which cause tooth decay. ‘Baby drinks’

and squash are not needed.

Fruit juice can be given after six months, but to prevent damage to the teeth dilute it well, restrict it

to meal times and only give it in a free-flow lidded beaker, never a bottle.

The best drinks to give between meals are breast or infant formula, or water*.

When should I switch my baby from a bottle to a cup?

Introduce a free-flow lidded beaker when your baby is six months old. Try and finish

with the bottle by his or her first birthday.

17 18

Can I give my baby low-fat foods?

No, save low-fat foods for later in life. Babies need fat to help them grow and develop.

For example, choose yogurts made from

whole milk.

Should I give my baby ready-made

baby food?

Jars of ready-made baby food are convenient, but home-made baby food is usually cheaper. If you do buy ready-made food, look at the ingredients label to check that it does

not contain sugar or salt (or egg or gluten if your baby is less than six

months old). Don’t serve warmed baby food straight

from the jar.

* Water for babies under six months should be boiled

and then cooled.

DCBANE Tel 020 7467 2629

[email protected]

For free copies of The Dairy Council’s publications visit www.milk.co.uk

© The Dairy Council 2011

References

NHS Start 4 Life. Introducing solid foods

http://www.nhs.uk/start4life/Documents/PDFs/Introducing_solid_foods.pdf (Date Accessed: 08/2011)

The Department of Health. Birth to Five

http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_107710.pdf (Date Accessed: 08/2011)

NHS Choices. Birth to Five

http://www.nhs.uk/Planners/birthtofive/Pages/Healthydietweaninghub.aspx (Date Accessed: 08/2011)

The British Dietetic Association. Paediatric Group Position Statement: Weaning infants onto solid foods.

http://www.bda.uk.com/publications/statements/PositionStatementWeaning.pdf (Date Accessed: 08/2011)

The Department of Health. Delivering Better Oral Health. An evidence-based toolkit for prevention http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_102982.pdf (Date Accessed: 08/2011)

NHS Choices. 5 A DAY portion sizes

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/5ADAY/Pages/Portionsizes.aspx (Date Accessed: 08/2011)

Healthy Start Scheme. Healthy Start vitamins http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

(Date Accessed: 08/2011)

Last reviewed: 06/10/2011 Next review due: 06/10/2012