Once your little one approaches six months of age, milk just doesn’t quite cut it anymore. This is when the weaning journey begins, and your tot can start eating solid foods. All the mamas out there prepare yourself – it’s going to get messy! However, it’s also going to be super fun. This blog will answer all your burning questions, from what is weaning to how do I wean my baby onto solids? We’ve also got delicious recipes to share, for getting your little one’s taste buds going.
What is weaning?
Weaning introduces solid foods alongside breast milk or formula. The process works to gradually replace breastfeeding. Remember, weaning isn’t going to happen overnight! Your baby needs time and practice, to get the hang of chewing and moving food around their mouth.
For safe weaning, a good highchair is essential! We have a large collection of highchairs to choose from. There’s something for everyone, whether it’s traditional or stylish you’re going for.
How do I wean my baby onto solids?
There are three signs to look out for, which ensure your tot is ready to be weaned:
- They can sit up unsupported, holding their head steady.
- They have the hand-eye coordination necessary to look at food, pick it up and bring it up to their mouth.
- They swallow food instead of spitting it out.
Once you’ve spotted these, we recommend beginning just before a breast or bottle feed. Once their tum is full of milk, they will not be able to stomach solid foods. However, don’t leave it too long either – a hungry bub is no fun! We have a range of weaning products, to make the journey easier for both mum and tot.
The best weaning recipes
Get creative with your tot’s meals and get stuck in! Our tried and tested recipes are bursting with goodness.
Porridge
It’s a nutritious and yummy food to introduce your bub to. It’s super quick and easy to prepare too. This recipe adds a fruity twist with juicy strawberries. If you want to get inventive, cut them into heart shapes This’ll show your tot how much you adore them!
Ingredients:
- 40g porridge oats
- 275ml milk
- 3 strawberries
Method:
- Measure your oats and milk into a saucepan.
- Stir the mixture over the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until the porridge thickens.
- Serve the delicious goodness in your tot’s favourite bowl and decorate with strawberry hearts.
Butternut squash and banana
This recipe introduces your baby to fruit and veg – the best of both worlds. Once your tot gets a taste of this, they won’t be able to get enough of it!
Ingredients:
- 1 full butternut squash
- 1 full ripe banana
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4.
- Pierce the butternut squash all over with a fork. Cover it up in foil and put it on a baking tray. Pop it into the oven and bake for 1 hour.
- Take the butternut squash out and leave it to cool. Slice it in half, scrape out the seeds and spoon out the flesh.
- Place the flesh into a bowl along with sliced banana and mash.
Three in one breakfast
Everyone loves an English breakfast! To make it healthier, all you need is – boiled eggs, toast fingers and mouth-watering tomatoes. This recipe is suitable for children 12 months and over.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium egg
- 1 medium slice of whole meal bread
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 3 cherry tomatoes, quartered
Method:
- Bring a pan of water to a boil. Gently put the egg into the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes. Once it’s cooked, place the egg into a bowl of cold water to cool down.
- Toast the bread, spread it with 1 tsp of vegetable oil and slice into rectangles.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes into quarters.
- Peel the egg and carve into fingers.
- Pop the toast, egg fingers and tomatoes onto a plate.
Baby’s first Bolognese sauce
Iron is a vital supplement and babies need it from 6 months onwards. This recipe is a beef Bolognese, which also works to boost iron levels.
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp baby pasta shapes
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 100ml boiling water
- 100g lean minced beef
- 50g onion, finely sliced
- 150ml Passata
- 20g celery, chopped
- 1 small clove garlic, crushed
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded
- ¼ tsp fresh thyme leaves or a dash of dried thyme
Method:
- Heat 1tbsp of vegetable oil in a pan. Sauté the onion and celery over a low heat for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally until softened.
- Pop the garlic in and cook for 1 minute. Add the shredded carrot and sauté for 4 minutes.
- In another pan, brown the minced beef.
- Put the mince in with the onion and carrot. Drizzle in Passata, boiling water and sprinkle with thyme.
- Cover the pan and cook over a low heat for 12 minutes.
- Remove the mixture from the pan, put it in a blender and mix for a few seconds. Keep going until the texture is smooth.
- Cook the baby pasta as per the package instructions.
- Drain and combine with the Bolognese sauce.
Weaning may seem daunting at first. However, we’re here to remind you – it’s actually super exciting! For your budding foodie, they’re about to experience new tastes and textures. Just take it one step at a time and enjoy the food adventure. Before you know it, you’ll have a happy little eater.
