Food and nutrition

Bottle feeding

Some mothers breastfeed, some mothers use infant formula milk and some mothers find that they do both.

Introducing infant formula will reduce the amount of breast milk you will produce. This may make breastfeeding more difficult.

For more information on formula feeding click here Formula Feeding: Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

What is weaning?

Weaning, sometimes called complementary feeding, is the process of introducing solid foods to your baby when they reach 6 months of age. During this stage, your baby should begin trying a range of foods in addition to their regular breast milk or formula.

Starting the introduction of solid foods can be difficult, and it's important to know when and how to start the process.

Our resources include expert guidance from the NHS, informative videos, insights from fellow parents, and a range of easy, nutritious recipes and meal ideas.

The recommended age for weaning is approximately 6 months of age. This period allows your baby to develop properly, ensuring they are ready to handle solid foods.

Why do I have to wait until my baby is 6 months to try weaning?

For the first six months, breast milk or first infant formula provides the essential energy and nutrients your baby requires.

This gives your baby time to develop, making them better equipped to manage solid foods.

At around 6 months, babies become more adept at self-feeding, moving food in their mouths, chewing, and swallowing. This means they can potentially handle mashed, lumpy, and finger foods and may not necessarily require smooth, blended foods.

You can try this short quiz to see if your baby is ready for weaning! Ready or not weaning quiz - Start for life - NHS

When should I try food with my baby?

Try a time when you don’t need to rush and when your baby is alert. Babies react differently to trying new food, it's important not to rush or pressure your baby. Eating is a new skill for your baby, allow sufficient time, go at your baby's pace, and stop when they are full.

How much should my baby eat?

The amount of food your baby eats is led by their appetite. It's crucial to allow your baby to guide you in terms of how much they need to eat. Never force them to eat if they're not ready.

It’s important to know your baby's cues when introducing solid foods. Learn to identify when they're hungry and when they've had enough.

Fussy eating

Don’t worry too much about finicky eating habits, it's normal for your baby to take time to adapt to new foods, flavours, and textures. They might need to try a particular food 10 times or more before getting used to it. There will be days when they eat more, days when they eat less, and days when they reject everything. This is normal. Be patient, persist in offering a variety of foods, including those they initially dislike, and let them go at their own pace.

What equipment will I need?

• A high chair
• A cup
• Plastic bowls and plates
• Ice cube trays
• A floor mat
• Plenty of bibs

Recipes to start with

Here's some good recipes to try! - Recipies and meal ideas - Start for life - NHS

First foods

Initially, your baby only needs a small amount of solid food, offered once a day at a time that is good for both you and your baby.

You can start weaning with single vegetables and fruits. Try blended, mashed, or softly cooked portions of, butternut squash, sweet potato, carrot, apple, or pear.

You can also consider using baby rice mixed with your baby's usual milk.

Make sure any cooked food has cooled down properly before feeding it to your baby.

Be careful of foods that can potentially trigger allergic reactions.

It's important to introduce these foods one at a time, in very small amounts, to monitor for reactions. These foods can be introduced at around 6 months as part of your baby's diet, like any other foods, and include items like:

• Cow's milk
• Eggs
• Gluten-containing foods
• Nuts and peanuts
• Seeds
• Soya
• Shellfish and fish

If your baby has no reaction to these foods, continue to include them in their regular diet to reduce the risk of allergies.

Introduce a variety of vegetables, including those that aren't overly sweet, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach. This will help your baby become accustomed to different flavours, not just the sweeter ones like carrots and sweet potatoes.

Encouraging lots of tastes early on can help prevent picky eating habits as your baby grows.

It's important to note that babies should not have salt or sugar added to their food or cooking water. Salt is not good for their kidneys, and sugar can lead to tooth decay.

Over time, gradually increase the quantity and diversity of various food groups to ensure your baby gets a balanced diet.

Try textures and tastes

When introducing solid foods to your baby, it's a good idea to change from smooth textures to lumpy ones as they become ready. This helps them become accustomed to different tastes and textures more quickly and also assists in learning how to chew, move solid food in their mouth, and safely swallow it.

You can offer mashed and finger foods once your baby is prepared for this stage, moving away from purees or blended foods. Encourage your baby to feed themselves by providing a spoon, and be prepared for a bit of mess – placing a mat under the highchair can help contain it.

Every baby has their own pace when it comes to adapting to lumpy textures, but it's a crucial skill for them to master.

Finger foods are beneficial for getting your baby used to various textures, as they enjoy picking up small pieces of food and feeding themselves. This also aids in developing their hand-eye coordination.

Here's a valuable tip: When your baby has had enough to eat, they'll signal it by firmly closing their mouth or turning their head away.

Baby-led weaning involves offering your baby finger foods from the start and allowing them to feed themselves rather than spoon-feeding them pureed or mashed foods. You can provide a variety of small, finger-sized food pieces. Some parents prefer baby-led weaning, while others opt for a mix of both methods. There's no right or wrong approach; what's most important is that your baby enjoys a range of foods and receives the right nutrients.

Breast milk or first infant formula should continue to be a primary source of nutrition for your baby in their first year. You can breastfeed for as long as you both wish. Keep in mind that your baby's tummy is small and fills up quickly, so continue offering milk feeds alongside solid foods.

When should I try my baby with a cup?

There are signs to look out for to see if your baby is ready to use a cup.

Choosing the right cup for your baby is important, and the process of introducing one can feel confusing. However, you don't need to rush this change. While it may be a bit messy at first, your baby will gradually learn to drink from an open cup. You should try to stop bottle feeding when your child is one year old.

Some babies may show interest in using a cup as early as 6 months, while others might not be interested until after their first birthday. So, you may need to let your baby try a few different cups or wait a few weeks and try again if they're not initially interested.