lucy-upton-weaning-guide - Flipbook - Page 13
1. Egg: Use a well-cooked, British Lion-stamped egg. Mash or blend it into
other foods, such as veggies or porridge. You can also offer scrambled eggs
or egg muffins.
2. Peanut: Choose smooth peanut butter (no added salt or sugar) and dilute
with milk or water. You can mix it into purees or use peanut puff snacks like
Bamba™. Avoid chunky peanut butter or whole peanuts, as they pose a
choking risk.
3. Wheat: Start with wheat-based cereals (e.g., WeetabixTM ), soft-cooked
pasta, or toast fingers.
4. Fish & Seafood: Offer well-cooked, flaked fish (e.g., salmon, cod) or seafood
(e.g., prawns). These can be mashed or mixed into dishes like mashed
potatoes or pasta.
5. Cow's Milk: Offer plain, unsweetened yoghurt or fromage frais. You can also
mix whole milk into meals like porridge or mashed potato. Note: If your baby
is formula-fed, they will have been introduced to cow9s milk already, as this is the
protein in most UK formula milk.
6. Soya: Try soya yoghurt or milk (unsweetened) in place of cow's milk. Tofu
can be blended or offered as finger food.
7. Tree Nuts: Like peanuts, introduce tree nuts as smooth nut butter or finely
ground. Mix them into porridge or cereals. Avoid whole or chopped nuts
due to the risk of choking.
8. Sesame & Other Seeds: Tahini (sesame paste) is a good option for hummus.
You can also grind seeds and add them to porridge, fruit, or yoghurt.
Top Tips for Introducing Allergens:
1. Signs of Allergic Reactions: Learn to spot allergic reactions (e.g., hives,
swelling, or difficulty breathing). Although severe reactions are rare, seek
medical advice immediately if you're concerned.
2. Introduce One Food at a Time: Never give two or more new allergens on
the same day. Wait 2-3 days between new allergens to check for delayed
reactions.
3. Start Small: Start with a small amount (¼ teaspoon) and gradually increase.
Offer new foods in the morning to monitor your baby throughout the day.
4. Patience is key: If your baby refuses a food, try again later or mix it into a
food they already accept. Don't force-feed.
5. Keep it regular: Once an allergen is introduced, continue offering it
regularly (e.g., once a week for most allergens). For peanuts and eggs, aim
for 2-3 times a week.
How to feed your baby and support a positive food relationship
Babies are naturally good at self-regulating their food intake, but we sometimes try
to intervene too much as parents. The key is trusting your baby to know when
they've had enough and letting them take charge of their eating. An approach to
feeding encouraged by health and feeding professionals, which the World Health
Organisation also backs, is known as responsive feeding.
Responsive feeding involves paying attention to your baby's hunger and fullness
cues, allowing them to regulate their appetite while offering a nurturing and
relaxed mealtime environment. This type of feeding is not just about nutrition but
also comfort, trust, and love. Responsive feeding supports a baby's health, wellbeing, and long-term feeding habits.
