lucy-upton-weaning-guide - Flipbook - Page 14
It works for all weaning methods, whether spoon-feeding, baby-led weaning
(BLW), or a combination of both.
Responsive feeding means:
Understanding and responding to your baby's cues, like when they're
hungry or full.
ï Nurturing a positive relationship during mealtimes.
ï Trust your baby's ability to start and stop feeding based on their needs.
ï
Recognising your baby's hunger and fullness cues is essential for positive
mealtimes. These cues help you know when to continue feeding or stop.
Hunger cues may include:
ï Reaching for food or opening
their mouth
ï Smiling, cooing, or getting
excited around food
ï Reaching for or pointing at food
Fullness cues may include:
ï Closing their mouth or
turning away
ï Pushing food or spoon away
ï Becoming distracted or
fussing
Making Mealtimes Good Times
The mealtime environment plays a significant role in shaping your baby's
relationship with food. A calm, relaxed setting promotes focus and enjoyment.
Here are some tips for positive mealtimes:
1. Create a calm environment by avoiding distractions like screens or toys.
2. Establish a routine to help your baby recognise mealtime cues.
3. Manage stress by staying calm. Your baby can pick up on your emotions 3 if
you are anxious, they will, too.
4. Use positivity with a smiling face and an enthusiastic tone to encourage
acceptance of new food.
5. Role model - eating together helps your baby develop feeding skills and
confidence.
6. Be realistic and accept that there will be both good and challenging days
during weaning.
7. Remember, the Division of Responsibility in Feeding model, developed by
Ellyen Satter, encourages a healthy relationship with food. In this approach:
ï Your role: You decide what, when, and where your baby eats.
ï Your baby's role: They decide if they want to eat, in what order, and how
much.
About the author of this guide
Lucy is a leading UK specialist Children's Dietitian and Nutritionist with over 14
years of experience in clinical practice, including 10 years in the NHS. She has
supported thousands of families feeding their babies and children and has farreaching experience in everything from weaning to fussy eating, food allergies to
tummy troubles, and more.
