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Weaning

 

 baby weaning - help on parenting infants 0-5 years

 

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The Department of Health Guidelines (2003) recommends that weaning babies onto solids should not be introduced until they are six months of age.

Until six months Breast milk or Formula milk provide all the nutrients that the baby requires.



However every baby is different and because of this there is no right age to introduce weaning onto solids.

The recommendations take this into account by suggesting that solids should not be introduced before four months
because of the risk of allergies.

The following are some of the signs that may indicate your baby is ready for solids:

  • Still hungry after a full milk feed
  • Demands feeds more frequently
  • Wakes at night for a feed having previously slept through.

If you feel that your baby needs solids earlier than six months, it is best to see your health visitor, have your
baby’s weight checked and decide with her a gradual plan of action.

The following is a sample weaning plan for babies:

Time of Day
6 Months - 9 Months
From 9 Months
On Waking Breast or bottle feed  
Breakfast Cereal such as baby rice with baby's usual milk Cereal such as porridge, Ready brek or Wheetabix with cows milk on cereal
 
Lunch
Pureed vegetables,lentils Mashed vegetables and in pieces
  Pureed peas, cauliflower, broccoli Mashed potato, rice and pasta
  Carrot Cauliflower cheese
  Pureed chicken & fish Minced red meats, mashed tuna
  Pureed fruit, baby yogurt Custard, fromage frais
Dinner Pureed vegetables and meat, Minced meats and mashed fish
  Fish or yoke of egg, Fish goujons, meatballs, sandwiches
  Full egg at eight months Beans & pulses, mashed banana
Milk Breast or bottle 560 ml Breast or bottle 500 ml, 400 after 1 year
Drinks Water Water
Finger Foods   Fresh fruit, banana, apple, peach
    Vegetables sticks of carrot, sweet
    pepper, steamed broccoli florets
    Bread Fingers of toast, rice cakes

Toddlers:

Toddler’s diets can be the same as parents but it is best to offer smaller portions because they will not be able
to cope with large amounts until they are two years old.

Give foods that contain lots of calories and nutrients because at this age they are active and growing rapidly
and burn up lots of calories

The following are some suggestions:

  • Full fat milk and dairy foods
  • Meat
  • Eggs cooked until the white & yoke is solid
  • Semi skimmed milk can be introduced from two years
  • Five portions of fruit and vegetables a day

Children under 3 years should have no more than 2 g of salt a day which is about a third of a teaspoon so it is
important to check the salt content of the processed food bought for children. Avoid chopped nuts for children
less than 5 years because of the risk of choking.

  

For further information on Weaning please visit our Frequently Asked Questions/Weaning

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Weaning
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