Introducing Solids… The Simple Way!
Baby-led Weaning
When you follow the internationally recognized guidelines to start solids around six months, it isn’t necessary to reduce foods down to a near-liquid state to allow babies to swallow them. The old advice to start from 4 months … or even earlier… meant foods weren't "solids" at all and often led to babies being unable or unwilling to progress to self-feeding a few months later.
Being developmentally ready to eat foods is a big step for babies and allowing them to begin when they are physically able means they can enjoy the experience as nature intended. Studies suggest that baby-led weaning is associated with less parental control of children’s eating and lower Body Mass Index. Healthy eating habits right from the start.
Involve your baby in family mealtimes
When your baby is around 4 months, he will start to show interest in you eating. He's not yet ready but boy, is he studying hard! As your hand moves from plate to mouth, he follows with his eyes. His hand reaches out for what you are holding and he makes chewing movements and even drools a bit! Let him sit on your lap and even hold or taste a little - he wants to see what it's all about!
Wait until your baby developmentally ready
Around six months, your baby’s body is ready to give it a go. He can sit up mostly unsupported, he has lost that tongue reflex which prevented swallowing solids and he can bring his hand to his mouth with control. As the UK Institute for Health Visitors explains: “All 3 signs of readiness for solid foods should be present before offering complementary foods: Baby being able to sit in a high chair and hold the head steady; being able to grab foods and put them in the mouth; being able to swallow food (and not just put it in the mouth for it to come out again). Premature babies may be ready for solid food at different ages and ‘baby readiness’ should be the key factor rather than age.”
Make sure everything has a handle!
When starting Baby-Led Weaning, it's essential to offer first foods with handles. Vegetables like broccoli, lamb chops, chunks of roast meat or steak, and thick fruit slices with the skin left on are great options. These foods allow babies to explore and feed themselves effectively. As your baby starts grasping other foods like rice and pasta, be prepared for mess. Using a plastic mat or a clean drop cloth on the floor can help in cleaning up dropped bits easily. Smock-like bibs that cover arms and body are also useful in keeping the baby's clothing clean.
Remember it's all about the experience.
How much he eats at this stage isn't really important. Milk (breastmilk or formula) is the main food source in the first year. As his skills improve, you'll start to see changes in his poo, a sure sign food is reaching his digestive system! As Accredited Practicing Dietitian and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Joy Anderson explains ‘Take care that your baby doesn’t take to solids too enthusiastically and cut down his/her milk intake too quickly. From 6–9 months, intake should still be close to 100% breastmilk, gradually reducing as solids increase but breastmilk should remain as greater than half the diet until 12 months.’ So let you baby explore without stressing over how much he eats.
Offer everything, right from the start
In the past, lots of foods were delayed in an effort to reduce allergies. New research shows it is actually important to introduce an extensive range of foods before 7 months. That means a varied and diverse diet can be offered right from the start. The only exceptions are honey (not before 12 months) and whole nuts (nut and seed butters are fine). So indulge your little foodie, let him experience as many tastes and textures as possible.
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The Australian Dietary Guidelines and the Academy of Pediatrics clearly recognize the WHO Guidelines.
Listen to an interview with Professor Jane Scott from Curtin University explain how these guidelines are meticulously researched and written using scientific publications, expert studies and the very best information available in the world.
