So, you’re ready to start weaning. Weaning is the introduction of solid foods to your babies diet. All babies are different and develop differently so begin introducing solids once you think your baby is ready – this is usually done at six-months old but not before four! Most parents start with purred and chopped foods – we have a great variety that we supply to creches. You can read all about them here. This is also referred to as spoon-feeding, however, there is another option for you to try at home – baby-led weaning. This is when you allow your baby to choose what they eat, thus teaching them to feed themselves. Sounds great, right? To do this, your baby needs to be able to sit upright, pick up and hold food, and bring food to their mouth. Most babies usually have these skills around the recommended age of six months. Here are some handy tips if you’d like to try baby-led weaning.
- Offer your baby similar foods to the rest of the family. Most of the time kids want to eat from your plate anyway!
- Start slow. One or two options is fine at first – don’t overwhelm them with too many choices.
- Avoid salt and sauces.
- Maybe skip the plate or bowl for the first few attempts. It’s more likely to wind up on the floor than anywhere else.
- Invest in a good bib. Have you seen BabyBoo’s YummyBoo bib? It’s super cool and ethically made too.
- Offer variety. Once you’re into the swings of things, offer a variety of foods, colours, and textures, so your little one develops an adventurous palate. They’ll be less likely to be a picky eater then when they’re older! The dream.
