Top Tips for Weaning your Baby

When your child reaches an appropriate age to stop breastfeeding, then the process of introducing solid foods can begin.

For some parents, this is an exciting time as the dependency on breast milk has come to an end, but for some, it is a challenging period of their child’s life. Weaning a baby can be hard work, and there are no guarantees when it comes to the rate at which your child will embrace their new diet.

If you are struggling to wean your baby into a new dietary regime, then there are some simple tips and tricks that you can try to make the transition easier. 

Read on to discover what these tips are!

Weaning Bibs

One of the most frustrating aspects of weaning your baby can be the mess involved.

If your little one often ends up with more of the food on their clothes and around them on the floor than they do in their stomach, then this can lead to a lot of extra cleaning and laundry for you as the parent.

Weaning bibs from BiBADO help to reduce this problem. These fantastic bibs are worn by the baby at the same time as being strapped to the high chair, thereby catching more food and reducing mess.

Introducing Solid Foods

It is likely that your doctor will advise introducing solid foods at around six months of age. The gradual introduction of solid foods is a great way to naturally assist the weaning process, as the longer you leave it, the more reluctant your child might be. 

Strained fruits and vegetables are a great choice at this age, and you might try introducing just one new item of food every few days. Note how your child reacts to each new food, and then adjust your feeding plan accordingly. 

Foods that can cause a risk of choking, such as grapes, nuts, seeds, and other smaller foods, should be avoided until your child is older.

Introduce Allergens

Many parents feel as though they should avoid adding potential allergens into their baby’s diet during the first few years. However, there is evidence to suggest that there is little benefit to this. 

The only exception to this is if you are already aware that you have a family history of problems with certain allergens. In this instance, it is best to seek specific advice from your primary healthcare provider before you make any decisions about allergens. 

Use a Comfort Object

Using an object that you already know your child finds comforting is a good way to introduce them to any kind of life change, such as weaning. 

A comfort object can be within reach of your child while you are attempting to feed them new foods. Not only can this help to reassure them that this is a normal process, but the object can also serve as a distraction, which could stop your child from placing too much emphasis on the new food they are being given. 

Be Patient

Just like so many other things in the early years of your child’s life, weaning can be a slow process, and it is important to be patient.