EXPERT ADVICE FROM AUTHOR TRACEY MURKETT
Include your baby in mealtimes and they will show you when they are ready to begin weaning by reaching out, grabbing some food from your plate and taking it to their mouths. They won’t be able to do that until they can maintain an upright posture while moving their heads and arms, which happens for most babies at around six months. All babies should be sitting upright to eat and never left alone when doing so.
Once they start handling food, don’t expect your baby to start eating straight away. Baby-led weaning babies familiarise themselves with food first by tasting and playing with it for a few weeks (at least), before they begin to eat it purposefully.
Offer your little one a wide range of foods from the outset, so that they can experience a variety of tastes and textures, and select those that contain any nutrients they need. Tiny amounts of micronutrients, such as iron and zinc, are usually needed first, so the foods they are most likely to choose will be meat, fish and eggs, along with vegetables and fruits. Cereals or dairy foods such as cheese, pasta and yoghurt can be thrown into the mix to offer some variety, but these are less important than foods containing zinc and iron, to start with.
Most family food can be adapted in the early weeks of BLW so that your child can hold pieces easily. Babies of six months uses their whole fist to grasp things and cannot open their hands voluntarily to get at something inside it. Small pieces of food will therefore be difficult and frustrating for them. Instead, foods need to be cut into shapes and sizes that they can grasp easily with one hand, with a bit sticking out beyond their fist for them to munch. Some foods have a ready-made “handle” – broccoli, for example. Others should be cut into sticks or strips, about 5cm long and no wider than the baby’s fist.
Shellfish, shark and marlin should all be avoided, as well as honey (until baby is a year old), and items that contain added salt, sugar and additives – read labels carefully – many items, such as baked beans, pies, sauces, fast foods and ready meals contain a lot of salt and additives.
Foods that are a choking risk will need to be adapted or avoided. Don’t offer nuts (whole or in pieces) and cut smaller fruits such as olives and cherries in half and remove any stones. Some raw fruits and vegetables may need to be checked for softness before offering (sticks or slices of very hard apple can sometimes break into chunks when bitten). Small bones and gristle should be completely removed from meat before offering it to your baby.
Parents will need to explain how BLW works to anyone caring for their baby and ensure that no one except the child puts food into their mouth – watch out for helpful toddlers.