Top tips for Weaning your Baby
- Whilst sucking is a naturally reflex, swallowing solids is something that babies need to learn and can take time so you need to be patient. When a baby sucks, he pushes his tongue forward – don’t worry if your baby spits the food out to begin with, this is quite normal and he will soon learn to cope with transferring food to the back of the mouth and swallowing.
- In the first week, its best to give your baby solids at around lunchtime. In the morning they may be too hungry and in the evening too tired. It’s a good idea to give a little milk before introducing solids so that your baby is not frantically hungry. Hold your baby on your lap or sit him in a bouncy chair or car seat.
- Cow’s milk contains very little iron or vitamins C and D and should not be given as your baby’s main drink during the first year. However from 6 months you can use cow’s milk in cooking or with your baby’s cereal.
- One in 5 babies aged 10 – 12 months has a daily intake of iron and essential fatty acids below the desired level. Make sure that you include red meat and oily fish like salmon in your baby’s diet.
- Eggs can be given from six months but they must be thoroughly cooked until both the white and yolk are solid.
- Babies under one year should not have salt added to their food as a baby’s kidneys are too immature to cope with added salt.
- Do not refreeze meals that have previously been frozen. The exception to this is that raw frozen food can be returned to the freezer once it is cooked. For example cooked frozen peas can be re-frozen.
- Honey should not be given to babies under 12 months as it can cause infant botulism. Although this is very rare, it is best to be safe as a baby’s digestive system is too immature to deal with the bug.
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