lucy-upton-weaning-guide - Flipbook - Page 3
10. Make mealtimes social. Babies learn a lot from watching and learning from others.
Where possible, share the same foods or meals at mealtimes; this will
build your baby's confidence, trust, skills, and enjoyment of mealtimes.
What is weaning?
Weaning describes the process of introducing your baby to solid foods. It is often
called 'starting solids' or 'complementary feeding'. Weaning is a process that takes
time for babies, and like other aspects of your baby's development, like learning to
walk or talk, it will be a process. While eating feels second nature to adults, your
baby has many new skills to learn and experiences to navigate, which will take time
and practice. For this reason, reframing weaning as learning to eat can be helpful!
Your baby's milk (breast and/or formula) will continue to be an essential source of
nutrition and hydration throughout weaning. As your baby progresses, they will
start to reduce the amount of milk they are drinking and increase the amount of
food they eat.
When to start weaning?
The World Health Organisation and Department of Health recommend that babies
commence solids from around six months of age. This timing closely links with
when a baby's development is best placed to support learning how to eat. Parents
are encouraged to look out for these key developmental signs that show their baby
is ready to start weaning;
1. Your baby can hold their head up and sit for a short time unsupported.
2. Your baby can coordinate their eyes and hands to see something, pick it up
and bring it to their mouth.
3. Your baby's tongue thrust (a natural reflex) has started to reduce, meaning
they can keep some food in their mouth to swallow.
There are many myths about whether a baby is ready to start solids if they "are a
hungry baby," "starts waking through the night," "is a 'big' baby," and more. These
are not reasons to start your baby with solids and breast milk, formula, or both,
which can support your baby's nutritional needs until around six months.
Which weaning approach?
Weaning can be approached with your baby in several ways. Whilst there can be
lots of conflicting information about which approach is 'best', please be reassured
that the end goal for both methods (or a combined approach) is the same 3 your
baby is accepting a wide variety of family foods. Here is some brief information
about each approach.
