Top Tips for Healthy Eating (Babies)

1. Feeding your baby from 0-6 months.

Your baby only needs breast milk or formula under 6 months, check with your health visitor or GP first if you want to introduce weaning before.

2. Introducing your baby to solid food – weaning.

Weaning should start when your baby is around six months old. This is an important step in their development, and it can be great fun to explore new textures together.

3. Waiting until your baby is ready.

Waiting until your baby is six months old before starting the weaning process is recommended as it gives their digestive system time to develop fully so it can cope with solid foods.

4. Quality over quantity.

When you decide to start weaning, it’s less important how much your baby is taking, but more to get them used to the idea of eating and the various new textures. Don’t worry if they only take a few spoonfuls, as they will still get most of their nutrition from their breast or formula milk. Gradually, you will be able to increase the amount and variety of food until they can eventually eat the same as the rest of the family (in smaller portions).

5. Every baby is an individual:

However, there are some signs that, together, show your baby may be ready to begin the weaning process alongside their milk.

• They can stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady.
• They can coordinate their eyes, hands and mouths so they can look at the food, pick it up and put it in their mouth, all by themselves.

Some signs that can be mistaken for your baby being ready for weaning are:

• Chewing their fist
• Waking in the night when they had previously slept through
• Wanting extra milk feeds

These are normal behaviours and not necessarily a sign of hunger.

6. Always stay wth your baby while they are eating

When you are ready to start weaning with your baby, always make sure that you stay with them while they are eating in case they start to choke.

• Let your baby enjoy touching and holding the food.
• Let your baby feed themselves, using their fingers, as soon as they show an interest.
• Don’t force your baby to eat – wait until the next time if they’re not interested.
• If you’re using a spoon, wait for your baby to open their mouth before you offer the food.
• Don’t add salt, sugar or stock cubes to your baby’s food or cooking water.

7. Babies and food allergies.

While variety in your baby’s diet is important, there is a chance they may be allergic to certain foods. Therefore, it is important to introduce cow’s milk, eggs, wheat, gluten, nuts and fish one at a time and not before six months.

8. What milk?

• From around six months, your baby should only have breast or formula milk.
• Whole cow’s milk can be mixed with food from six months and can be given as a drink from one year.
• Infant formula or follow-on formula is not needed once your baby is 12 months.
• If your child has an allergy or intolerance to milk, talk to your health visitor or GP.