Weaning is a very exciting time for parents and children but it can be confusing and worrying at the same. You might be asking yourself when is a good time to start weaning your baby on to solid foods, which foods to introduce first, how much food should your child consume each day etc. Weaning is a really important step in your baby’s development and it can be great fun to explore new flavours and textures together. To begin with, how much your baby takes is less important than getting them used to the idea of eating. They will still be getting most of their nutrition from milk. Babies don’t need three meals a day to start with, so you can start by offering foods at a time that suits you both. Gradually, you’ll be able to increase the amount and variety of food your baby eats until they can eventually eat the same as the rest of the family, in smaller portions. (*https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2008/02/Start4Life-Introducing-Solid-Foods-2015.pdf) It is recommended that babies start weaning at around 6 months old and not earlier as this gives them time to develop so that they are ready to cope with solid foods, to become more able to feed themselves and move food around in their mouth and chew. Before you start introducing solid foods to your baby it is important to look out for the signs that your baby is ready for weaning. They should be: able to stay in a sitting position and hold their head up coordinate their eyes, hands and mouth to feed themselves swallow food The below video produced by NHS discusses in more details signs of when a baby is ready for weaning. Here are some aspects of weaning to consider before starting to introduce your baby to solids. Introduce solid foods gradually. Start with single-ingredient purees: Begin with smooth and runny purees of fruits or vegetables, such as apple, pear, banana, carrot, or sweet potato. Offer a small spoonful and observe your baby's reaction for any signs of allergies or intolerances. Introduce a new food every few days: Allow a few days before introducing a new food. This helps you monitor any adverse reactions and identify the cause if your baby develops an allergy or intolerance. Offer a variety of textures. Progress to mashed and soft foods: As your baby becomes more comfortable with purees, gradually introduce mashed or soft foods with slightly lumpy textures. You can use a fork to mash cooked vegetables or fruits. Introduce finger foods: Once your baby has good head control and can sit up with support, you can introduce finger foods. Offer soft and age-appropriate foods that are easy to grasp, such as cooked pasta, small pieces of well-cooked vegetables, or ripe banana slices. Stick to nutritious foods. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables: Offer a range of different fruits and vegetables to provide a variety of vitamins and minerals. Opt for seasonal produce and aim for a rainbow of colours on your baby's plate. Include protein-rich foods: Introduce pureed or mashed sources of protein, such as cooked and finely shredded meat, poultry, fish, or pulses like lentils or chickpeas. These foods provide essential nutrients for growth and development. Introduce whole grains: Offer cooked and mashed whole grains like rice or oats to provide a source of carbohydrates and fiber. As your baby progresses, you can introduce well-cooked and mashed grains like quinoa or couscous. Breast milk or formula remains important. Offer breast milk or formula first: Continue to prioritize breast milk or formula as the main source of nutrition for your baby. Offer breast milk or formula before offering solid foods during mealtime. Gradually reduce milk feeds: As your baby starts to eat more solid foods, you may notice a decrease in milk intake. This is normal, but it's essential to ensure they are still getting enough milk for their nutritional needs. Consult with your health visitor or GP for guidance on the appropriate amount of milk feeds. Offer water in a cup. Introduce a cup with sips of water: As you introduce solid foods, you can offer small sips of water from a cup during mealtimes. Use a free-flow cup or a cup with a soft spout suitable for their age. Encourage them to drink from a cup: Let your baby practice holding the cup and bringing it to their mouth. Be patient as they develop their drinking skills. Avoid added sugars, salt, and honey. Minimize added sugars and salt: Avoid adding any sugar or salt to your baby's foods. Babies have sensitive taste buds, and their developing kidneys can't handle excess sodium. Avoid honey: Honey should not be given to babies under the age of 1 due to the risk of infant botulism. Be patient and responsive to your baby's cues. Observe hunger and fullness cues: Watch for signs of hunger, such as rooting, lip-smacking, or reaching for food. Equally important is recognizing signs of fullness, such as turning away, closing the mouth, or pushing food away. Respect your baby's cues and avoid forcing them to eat. Allow your baby to explore: Let your baby touch, feel, and explore their food. Encourage self-feeding. Deciding on which foods to introduce when. A good starting point in deciding which foods to introduce when is looking at the current NHS Guidelines (*https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/weaning/how-to-start-weaning-your-baby/) The following is a step-by-step list of foods to introduce during weaning, based on the NHS guidelines: Stage 1 (around 6 months): Smooth purees: Start with single-ingredient smooth purees of fruits or vegetables, such as apple, pear, banana, carrot, or sweet potato. Offer a small spoonful and observe your baby's reaction. Stage 2 (around 6-7 months): Textured purees: Progress to mashed or textured purees. You can use a fork to mash cooked vegetables or fruits to provide slightly lumpy textures. Cereal or porridge: Introduce baby rice or other baby cereals mixed with breast milk, formula, or water. Iron-rich foods: Offer pureed or mashed foods rich in iron, such as well-cooked and mashed meat (e.g., chicken, beef), fish (e.g., salmon, white fish), or well-cooked and mashed eggs. Stage 3 (around 7-9 months): Finger foods: Introduce soft finger foods that are easy to grasp and chew. Examples include well-cooked and diced vegetables (e.g., carrot, broccoli), soft fruits (e.g., banana, avocado), or small pieces of toast or bread. Starchy foods: Introduce mashed or well-cooked starchy foods like potatoes, pasta, rice, or oats. Pulses and beans: Offer mashed or pureed pulses (e.g., lentils, chickpeas) and beans. Dairy products: Introduce full-fat yogurt or unsalted cheese, ensuring they are pasteurized. Stage 4 (around 9-12 months): Chopped or minced foods: Gradually increase the texture of the food to chopped or minced. Offer small, soft pieces of cooked vegetables, fruits, meats, or fish. Bread and pasta: Introduce small pieces of bread, pasta, or other soft grains. Family meals: Introduce mashed or chopped portions of the family's meals, making sure they are suitable for your baby's age and consistency requirements. Ensure the food is low in salt and added sugars. Remember to introduce new foods one at a time, allowing a few days before introducing another new food. This helps you monitor any potential allergies or intolerances. As always, consult with your health visitor or healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance on weaning and introducing solid foods to your baby. Useful resources for Stage 1 weaning: NHS Start4Life: The NHS Start4Life website provides a comprehensive guide to weaning, including information on when and how to start, food ideas, and tips for successful weaning. Visit their website at: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/ First Steps Nutrition Trust: First Steps Nutrition Trust offers evidence-based resources on infant and early years nutrition. They have a section dedicated to weaning, including guides, fact sheets, and sample menus. Visit their website at: https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/ Annabel Karmel: Annabel Karmel is a renowned children's food expert and author who offers a range of resources and recipes for weaning. Her website provides information on introducing solids, recipe ideas, and meal planners. Visit her website at: https://www.annabelkarmel.com/ Ella's Kitchen: Ella's Kitchen is a popular baby food brand that offers a wealth of resources and tips on weaning. Their website includes a variety of recipes, weaning advice, and interactive tools. Visit their website at: https://www.ellaskitchen.co.uk/ Baby-led Weaning: If you are interested in the baby-led weaning approach, the Baby-led Weaning website provides information, resources, and recipe ideas specifically tailored to this method. Visit their website at: https://babyledweaning.co.uk/ Health Visiting Service: Reach out to your local health visiting service for guidance and support on weaning. Health visitors are trained professionals who can provide personalized advice and resources based on your baby's individual needs. Gagging on food Gagging on food is scary for parents and in some instances the worries about their baby gagging and choking may prevent parents from moving on to the more lumpy and textured food. It is very important to always be vigilant and to never leave your baby unattended when they are eating. When it comes to choking and gagging in babies aged 3-6 months, it's important to be aware of the following tips for preventing gagging and choking: Avoid giving small, hard, or round foods that can easily cause choking, such as nuts, whole grapes, popcorn, or hard candy. Cut food into small, manageable pieces or mash it to an appropriate texture for your baby's age and chewing abilities. Always supervise your baby during meals and snacks. Keep small objects and toys out of reach to prevent accidental choking. You can find a comprehensive information on how babies swallow and how to spot a difference between a baby gagging and a choking baby at https://solidstarts.com/gagging/ . Below we have information on recognising choking and basic first aid response in case of choking. Recognising Choking: Signs of choking may include difficulty breathing, inability to cry or make sounds, weak coughing, or a high-pitched wheezing noise. Your baby may appear distressed, with bulging eyes or a bluish color around the lips and face. Responding to Choking: Stay calm but act quickly. If your baby is coughing forcefully, encourage them to keep coughing to try and clear the blockage. If your baby is unable to cough, cry, or breathe effectively, perform back blows and chest thrusts. Here's how: For babies under 1 year old: Place your baby face-down along your forearm, with their head lower than their body. Support their head and jaw with your hand. Deliver up to five back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand. If the blockage is not dislodged, perform up to five chest thrusts. Place two fingers in the middle of your baby's chest and give sharp inward and upward thrusts. If the obstruction persists, call for emergency medical assistance (e.g., 999 in the UK) while continuing the back blows and chest thrusts until help arrives. First Aid Training: Many parents decide to undergo first aid training, including infant CPR and choking management techniques. These courses provide hands-on practice and valuable knowledge to respond to emergency situations effectively. Providers of paediatric First Aid: In the UK, there are several organizations and providers that offer paediatric first aid training. Here are a few reputable options: St John Ambulance: St John Ambulance is a well-known provider of first aid training, including paediatric first aid. They offer a variety of courses for parents, caregivers, and childcare professionals. Visit their website at https://www.sja.org.uk/ for more information and to find a course near you. British Red Cross: The British Red Cross provides paediatric first aid courses designed for parents, grandparents, and anyone involved in caring for infants and children. Their courses cover topics such as choking, CPR, and common childhood emergencies. Visit their website at https://www.redcross.org.uk/ for course details and availability. British Safety Council: The British Safety Council offers a comprehensive paediatric first aid course that covers essential skills and knowledge for dealing with emergencies involving infants and children. Visit their website at https://www.britsafe.org/ for more information on their training programs. ProTrainings: ProTrainings is an accredited provider of first aid training courses, including paediatric first aid. They offer online and in-person courses suitable for parents, childcare providers, and anyone working with children. Visit their website at https://www.protrainings.eu/ for course options and availability.