How exciting it is to finally reach the beginning of the weaning journey with your baby?! Don't get stressed out if you’re unsure what to do next, it is really quite simple! Read this ultimate weaning guide - our SILLYBOO team have done the research for you, so you don't have to.
For the first 6 months of life, your baby only needs milk as a primary source of nutrition. But by the time they reach 6 months, their bodies need other sources of nutrition to ensure the right amount of goodies are supporting their fast growing bodies. *It is recommended to wait until they are 6 months old because, simply, this is the length of time it takes the little ones to develop the ability to fully cope with solid foods and move the food around their mouth.
*But the age mark is not the only factor to determine whether or not babies are ready for solid food, you must also look out for signs of readiness;
The ability to sit unassisted
Eye-hands-mouth coordination - getting their toys into their mouth
Curiosity about food and what you are eating
Swallow food
You may want to begin the process in a more traditional way by blending the food and spoon feeding your baby (don’t forget to buy a SILLYBOO rounded, soft silicone baby spoon with the purpose of protecting your baby's gums), or choose a more modern approach of baby led weaning, which is becoming more and more popular over the years due to the many benefits, some of which you'll come across in this post.
Baby led weaning encourages babies to feed themselves from the start by offering finger foods and letting them decide how much they eat. It is ultimately your decision whether to offer your child blended food and let them use a spoon or hands to self feed, or prepare larger pieces for the baby to hold in their cute little hands.
Fun facts: bigger food chunks will cause more brain neurons to fire and recognise food, thus minimising the risk of choking. And on that note, make sure you know the difference between gagging and choking - but lets save that for another article. It is a great way to promote independence in babies as they are given the opportunity to choose and explore the food. Research shows that babies who feed themselves have wider food taste as they get used to different textures from beginning.
Remember that commencing the weaning journey is going to be fun, but messy! Equip yourself with our SILLYBOO essentials. Our silicone bib will help you control the food falling on the floor, and the baby silicone cup will avoid spillages due to its smash proof design and durable lid.
So now you are probably thinking ‘but where do I start?’
Start by introducing your baby to green and white veggies to get them used to more bitter and savoury flavours. After around 2 weeks you can move onto mixing fruit, veg and a sprinkle of spices to tingle those taste buds. It is important to remember that in the first few months it is not about the amount the baby eats, but the whole experience of discovering new flavours, smell, textures and sensory experiences as the baby navigates through their journey of food. DO NOT WORRY - your baby won't be hungry as milk is still the main source of nutrition up until their first birthday. I bet you are probably thinking ‘So why even bother with solids?’ and the answer is easy: When your baby reaches 6 months they require more energy and nutrients for their fast growing body, therefore need a boost of goodies as the milk alone is not enough.
Here is an example of first 3 weeks:
Week 1 : broccoli, potato, peas, swede, brussel sprouts, carrot, cauliflower
Week 2 : butternut squash, green beans, parsnip, courgette, aubergine, cabbage
Week 3 : leeks + cheese and potato, strawerries + cucumber + natural yoghurt, swede + carrot + cinnamon, apples + blueberries, courgette + peas + mint, avocado + kiwi, chickpeas + carrot + coriander.
How often? Introduce one meal per day.
How much? Around 6 tablespoons per serving.
What's next?
From around 7 months, introduce your baby to meat, pulses, cheese, eggs and seeds as they are a great source of iron and protein. Remember to also include fish in your baby's diet as they are rich in fatty acids, omega 3, protein and vitamins. If up to this point you were giving your baby blended food, now is the perfect time to introduce them to textures. Put away your blender, and use a fork to mash up their food. Don't worry if you think your baby doesn't have teeth - Babies love texture and are clever enough to quickly learn how to mash soft lumps against the roof of their mouth.
How often? At this stage, encourage your baby to participate at mealtimes. You can now offer them food 3 - 4 times a day (that includes a snack).
How much? The amount of food depends on your baby’s appetite, but as a guide, that will usually be half a baby bowl. As your baby grows older, you can increase the portion (but again take the lead from your baby, who will show clear signs whether they want more or have had enough.)
Examples of a typical dinner:
Day 1: Tuna pasta
Day 2: Lamb with dates and couscous
Day 3: Tomato salmon and rice
Day 4: Hereby chicken with steamed peppers
Day 5: Veggie and cheese bake
Day 6: Fish curry
Day 7: Porridge with dried fruit
Honestly, you cannot begin this journey without the Silly Maxi Set that includes all the essentials to begin your little one's weaning journey. Our silicone baby plate and bowl include a strong suction base which makes it mealtime's best friend.
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