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Fun first foods: An easy guide to introducing solid foods

Contents:	How this booklet will help you What is weaning about? When should weaning begin? Signs to help you tell if your baby is ready for other foods Allergies in the family? Making Food Fun Stage 1: Getting Started Stage 2: Moving On Stage 3: Mini Meals When can my baby eat...? What can my baby drink? How to prevent your baby choking More information on weaning

Making Food Fun

Weaning is a time for learning about foods. Your baby needs to learn that:

Weaning is about gradually moving from an all-milk diet to one which provides nutrients from the four main food groups. For a healthy diet babies should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods from each of the following groups.

Fruit and vegetables

These should be a major part of your baby’s diet. You can use fresh, tinned, dried and frozen varieties (but remember to buy tinned fruit in natural juice as this is better for your baby’s teeth). They are a good source of vitamins and minerals essential for your baby’s health.

Fruit and vegetables are ideal first foods, e.g. pureed carrot or mashed banana. Later they are ideal finger foods, e.g. sliced pear or melon sticks and great for snacks.

Starchy foods

This group includes potatoes and sweet potatoes, breads (wholemeal and white), cereals, porridge, rice, pasta, noodles and cous cous. They provide a good source of energy, vitamins and minerals.

Protein-rich foods

Lean red meat, oily and white fish (include tuna canned in oil and sardines), chicken, eggs and pulses (beans, peas and lentils, etc.), Quorn™ and tofu are high in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals.

Milk and dairy foods

Dairy foods are made from milk, e.g. cheese and yoghurt. Milk and dairy products contain calcium, which is needed for strong bones and teeth. They also provide energy, protein, vitamins and minerals for your baby.

Babies have high energy needs for their size and should have fat as part of their balanced diet up to the age of 2. After that they will gradually move to a lower fat diet the same as the rest of the family. Good sources of fat will come from butter or vegetable spreads on bread or toast fingers, vegetable oils such as olive oil or sunflower oil used in cooking, and after 6 months, cheese, full fat yoghurts and fromage frais, and full fat cow’s milk used in cooking, e.g. cheese sauce, custards, rice pudding and semolina.

Examples and servings of the four main food groups

What is a serving?

Every baby is different and you will have to be guided by your baby. The amount will change as your baby grows and becomes used to new foods, tastes and textures. At first a serving may only be a few spoons but later it could be a snack of finger foods (see page 22). The important thing is that you offer your baby a range of foods from all 4 food groups as shown below. This will ensure that your baby gets a healthy balanced diet.

Listen to some happy music at meal times and sit down next to your baby so you are near to her eye level.