Weaning Facts

* Start from 6 months onwards

* Signs that baby is ready for solids :-
- starts demanding feeds more often and still seems hungry after usual milk feed
- begins to wake more often at night and is comforted with milk
- no longer display tongue poke reflex
- watch what you eat with interest
- indicate through gesture and sounds their interest in sampling whatever you are eating
- hold their mouth open and imitate eating behaviour

6-9 months (Baby's first Solids)
- all feeding utensils should be sterilised
- rice cereals is usually used, should look like runny yoghurt
- all fruit and vegetables should be cooked until VERY soft and pureed to semi-liquid form
- use formula, breast milk, pure fruit juice or boiled water to help thin solids
- introduce new items only every 2 days and in the morning to monitor reactions

9-12 months (Young Tummies)
- good time to introduce new foods and flavours
- solids should be part of baby's daily diet
- when chewing more proficient, replace purees with chopped and mashed foods
- purees should become thicker and chunkier
- start adding fruits, yoghurts and vegetables to cereals to create new flavours
- solids increase, milk around 400ml per day
- finger food is excellent such as rusks, steamed and raw vegetables or breadsticks
- eggs, fish, red meats may be introduced but WELL COOKED

Do not offer baby :-
* Nuts
* Raw or lightly cooked eggs
* Soft or pasteurized cheeses
* Shellfish
* Honey
* Tea
* Coffee
* Cola

12-18 months (Toddlers treats)
- may introduce cow's milk unless dietary needs
- offer plain water as thirst quencher
- encourage plenty of fruits and vegetables as part of meal and snacks
- may introduce yoghurt, fromage frais, pasteurised cheese
- baby may make decision on eating stuff and perhaps fussier
- try to be more adventurous and use garlic and herbs
- try making creative healthy meals with lots of finger food for selection and variety