Starting the weaning journey can be an anxious time for new mums. When to start, what to feed…here are top tips to help you.
With thanks to Laura Erskine, Parenting Expert with BabyDoc Club UK

The general recommendation is to start your baby’s weaning journey somewhere between 20 weeks and 6 months. If your little one previously slept through the night and is now waking for more feeds, it may be a good time to introduce some solid food. You can find out more on the NHS website. Here are some top tips to help you on your weaning journey.

Root Vegetables

Start your weaning journey with pureed root vegetables like, sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash and parsnip which are all rich in vitamins and easy to digest. Try to introduce as many vegetables as you can rather than focussing on fruit. This will help your baby to develop a broader taste for food that should help them to maintain healthier eating habits throughout their life.

Batch Cook and Store

Batch cooking is a great way to save time when preparing both your little one’s meals and those for the whole family. Simply cook a little extra and freeze in portions so that you can defrost them in the fridge over night for an easy weaning meal on busier days.

Finger Foods

From six months, always try to offer some sort of finger food with each meal time so that they can really have fun and explore their food. Soft chunks of roasted vegetables as well as pieces of soft fruit like raspberry and banana are great finger foods to try.  Roll the half moon banana chunks in desiccated coconut to give them better grip when picking it up.

Introduce a Cup or Beaker

Introducing a cup or beaker with water at meal times from around 6 months will make the removal of a bottle much easier at 12 months of age.

Utensils

Offer utensils from 6 months so that your child gets used to the idea of using them at meal times. Start by simply placing a baby friendly fork or spoon beside their dish for them to use if they please. It’s a great way for them to develop their motor skills too.

Texture

Do not delay moving on with textures and flavours when weaning. Your baby has a natural gag reflex and will regurgitate any lumps they’re not able for. You can always go back if your baby is not ready for a certain food or texture.

Get Messy

Don’t be afraid to let your child really explore and enjoy their food. Avoid hovering over them with a wipe every time food gets on the tray table, on their face, in their hair or on the floor. Allow them to enjoy their food as a full sensory experience.

Lead by Example

Where possible, mum or dad should be eating too at baby’s mealtimes. All children learn best by example and that includes babies too! Try to eat the same foods together and watch them follow your lead.

About BabyDoc Club

BabyDoc Club is the UK’s only social-first parenting community.  With an audience reach of over 4.5 million mums a day through their Facebook and Instagram social accounts, BabyDoc Club provide no-nonsense advice straight to mum’s social news feed.  Unlike other parenting communities, BabyDoc Club don’t require followers to leave their favourite social platforms to get the lowdown on common parenting challenges, expert product recommendations and special offers. BabyDoc Club is the millennial mum’s favourite parenting community with content formats perfectly optimised for the modern social Mum.

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Disclaimer: The views and advice given in this article are those of the guest writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Weaning Week or any other organisations represented on this platform