Introducing solid foods

Introducing solid foods:

When your baby starts having food as well as milk, this is called moving onto solid food.

Most babies are ready at about 6 months old.

Before this: · milk gives your baby all they need

· your baby’s body is still growing and learning

Keep giving breast milk or formula as you start solids. Milk is still very important.

Every baby is different. Your baby will show you when they are ready.

You might notice they can: · sit up and hold their head steady

· pick food up and bring it to their mouth

· swallow food

Take your time and follow your baby’s lead.

Premature babies and weaning

Weaning for babies who were born prematurely or sick

Weaning your premature baby | Bliss

What to feed your baby from 6- 12 months

Start with simple foods, such as: vegetables, fruit and soft cooked foods

As your baby gets used to eating: offer more foods and try different textures

Let your baby touch, taste and explore food at their own pace.

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/weaning/

https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/eating-well-in-the-first-year

First Steps Nutrition Trust

First Steps Nutrition Trust is an independent charity that focuses on healthy eating. They create helpful information and resources for health workers.

Their work supports families to eat well from before pregnancy until a child is five years old.

Eating Well in the 1st Year: First Steps Nutrition Trust

Eating Well Recipe Book: First Steps Nutrition Trust

Eating well on a budget for the wider family

Eat well, spend less | British Dietetic Association (BDA)

The BBC has some useful guides to eating on a budget for a variety of dietary requirements.

Budget recipes and advice – BBC Food

Eating healthy on a tight budget: 6 top tips – BHF

Some tips to save money on food – British Nutrition Foundation

Oxfordshire’s Sustainable Food Network | Good Food Oxfordshire

Some supermarkets are selling fruit and veg boxes for as little as £2.

Sugar Smart | Sustainable Food Places

HENRY

HENRY supports families from pregnancy until children are 12 years old. They offer workshops, programmes, helpful resources and online support.

HENRY helps parents build confidence, knowledge and skills so they can make healthy changes for the whole family. This helps children have a happy and healthy start in life.

Find out more about HENRY and the support in Oxfordshire here:

Parents | HENRY

Food allergies

Managing food allergies: Baby food allergies – Best Start in Life – NHS

Vitamins for children

Healthy Start: (help to buy healthy food and milk): Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)

Healthy Start Easy Read: Easy Read A4 (V0.3) 01.2022

Vitamins for children: Getting vitamins – Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)

When to weigh your baby

Your baby will be weighed in the first 2 weeks to check they are back to their birth weight.

After that, babies are weighed at check-ups at about 2, 3, 4, and 13 months.

Babies are only weighed more if there are worries about their health or growth.

Weighing over longer periods gives a better picture of growth. For this reason, babies do not need to be weighed too often unless there are concerns.

Some parents want their baby weighed often to make sure they are healthy. But weight is not the best way to check how well a baby is doing.

It is more helpful to look at how your baby feeds, how they behave, how many wet and dirty nappies they have, and whether they are growing out of their clothes.

Older babies are weighed less often because they grow more slowly.

Your baby’s weight and height – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Growth charts – information for parents and carers | RCPCH

What, When and How to Measure (rcpch.ac.uk)