hi
I wrote this and got signed off, maybe re word in your own words or take bits out if need be ...
hope it helps xx
Weaning onto solid foods is necessary as the needs of a growing baby can no longer be met by breast or formula milk alone and the baby pines for more nutrishment from about 6 months old.
Weaning enables infants to learn new skills that are required for them to progress through key developmental stages for speech and self-feeding.
The baby gets to be introduced to a variety of tastes and textures that helps a baby to learn to eat a varied and balanced diet and to avoid problems with fussy eating at later stages.
Weaning is an important factor in preventing many health and development problems in babies, children and throughout life including obesity, faltering growth and stunting, iron deficiency, specific nutrient deficiencies, dental caries and developmental delay.
Weaning is the gradual process of introducing semi-solid food whilst continuing with breast or infant formula milk but at a reduced amount of intake of the milk as there little stomachs begin to get fuller quicker.
The purpose of introducing solid foods alongside an infant's milk feeds is to
• Give extra energy and nutrients when milk no longer provides enough to sustain the baby's rapid growth, optimal health and development.
• Provide the chance to try new tastes and textures based on family foods when the baby is at a receptive stage
At 6 months old when you feel your baby is ready to wean it is important to plan it well.
Equipment – small shallow plastic spoon and plastic feeding bowl, bib and plastic mat or newspaper to protect the floor as weaning can be messy.
Seating – infants need to be sitting up to avoid choking. A highchair is best so that they will be sat at your level and will also be better able to explore foods.
Quantity – one or two teaspoons should be offered at first.
Consistency – smooth puree mixed with usual breast/formula milk. For infants starting weaning at 6 months, this stage may be very short or even bypassed. At this age infants will need to quickly progress to a thicker texture with soft lumps and finger foods.
Foods – Start with smooth vegetables or fruit, baby rice or other non-wheat cereal such as sago, maize, cornmeal or millet. Once baby is used to these, other foods should be included: pureed/mashed meat, fish, lentils or pulses; full fat dairy products e.g. yoghurt or custard; other cereal foods and soft finger foods.
It is important to give children's vitamin drops containing vitamins A, C and D. Even on a healthy balanced diet infants and children under 5 years may not get enough of these vitamins, especially vitamin D.
PROGRESSING THROUGH WEANING STAGES
6-9 months – the baby progresss to mashed and minced food with soft lumps and soft finger foods. Starchy foods (potatoes, cereals, pasta, rice) Fruit & vegetables Milk products such as yoghurt, cheese, milk puddings Protein foods such as meat and fish.
9-12 months – babys can now progress from minced to chopped family foods and also have hard finger foods.
Feeding from a bottle should be discontinued by one year, as this can affect the development of the teeth.
Self-feeding skills – these can be encouraged from the beginning of weaning by offering finger foods and giving infants their own spoon to try, whilst parents/carers continue to help with feeding.
‘Baby – led weaning'
Ive never tried this with my daughter but I do know it is very popular now adays and It involves weaning baby completely or mainly by giving them pieces of food (usually from the family’s meal that they can hold and self – feed.
Foods that should be avoided in the development of the weaning process are - Salt – infants' kidneys are not fully developed at six months of age and high amounts of salt/salty foods can be harmful. Salt should not be added to foods. Processed foods such as stock cubes, gravy mixes, packet soups, instant mashed potato, sauces, ready meals and salty snack foods like crisps should be avoided. Sugar – encourages a sweet tooth and can lead to dental decay.Honey – can contain botulinum bacteria and needs to be avoided until after the age of one year. Nuts – children under 5 should avoid whole nuts due to a risk of choking. Peanut butter, pastes and ground peanuts can be included after 6 months of age. If the child has been diagnosed with an allergy. Some Fish - avoid shark, swordfish and marlin due to mercury content. Avoid raw shellfish due to the risk of food poisoning.
FOOD SAFETY
Parents are to be advised to follow strict hygiene rules when purchasing, storing and preparing food for babys in order to reduce the risk of food poisoning. This includes hand-washing, keeping surfaces and chopping boards clean and keeping pets away from food/preparation areas. And all bottles and teats should be sterilised Although If weaning from 6 months, plates, bowls, cups and cutlery don't need to be sterilised but should be washed with hot soapy water and rinsed with hot water.
Freshly cooked food can be stored for up to 24 hours in the fridge.
Food for infants should be reheated until piping hot right through and then cooled before feeding. Food should not be reheated more than once.
COMMERCIAL BABY FOODS
Providing home prepared weaning foods encourages easier progression to normal family foods than when using mainly commercial baby foods.
Parents using commercial baby foods still need to ensure that the baby is offered a balanced diet, including savoury meals and fruit purees rather than puddings.
Estimated average requirements for calorie intake
Age . . . . . . . . . Male . . . . Female
-------------- (mj) (kcal) - (mj) (kcal)
0 - 3 months - 2.28 (545) - 2.16 (515)
4 - 6 months - 2.89 (690) - 2.69 (645)
7 - 9 months - 3.44 (825) - 3.20 (765)
10 - 12 mths - 3.85 (920) - 3.61 (865)
1 - 3 years --- 5.15 (1230)- 4.86 (1165)
4 - 6 years --- 7.16 (1715)- 6.46 (1545)
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