What to Feed Babies When Starting Weaning onto Solids

I am often emailed with questions about how to start weaning babies. Weaning a baby can be a stressful time for a new mum as she often doesn't know what to give or when and mums can frequently have concerns as to whether her baby is getting the right nutrition.

Firstly, I should say that every baby is different and what follows is general advice that should be fine for most babies.

Relax, take your time and, as always, trust yourself to 'listen' to your baby, and if in doubt seek advice from a professional you trust. Start with half a teaspoon of fresh apple puree (using a glass grater produces one of the best purees I know in small quantities). Your baby will not take a lot in the beginning - babies have to get used to the feel of solids and learn how to move to the back of his or her mouth in order to swallow it. If your baby spits the food out or cries, ty again later or even tomorrow. The important thing is to get used to sucking or licking food from a spoon. While mentioning spoons, I really would recommend using plastic ones - Holle have weaning spoons made from 100% renewable resources - as metal spoons can be quite cold and quite a shock to a baby's sensitive mouth. A few days later you can add 1 tablespoon Holle Organic Rice Porridge to the puree.

Once your baby is used to the puree you could either start making rice or millet porridge with breast milk or baby formula. Again after a week or two you can start giving him one or two teaspoons of carrot purée. Gradually increase the amount of solids according to your baby's appetite.

I do not recommend a huge variety of fruit or vegetables at first as this can confuse babies and there is even a discussion about developing a risk of allergy when too many different foods are given. You baby needs security and can be happy with little.

If your baby is a good eater you can change/add vegetables over the coming weeks. Take your baby's pace. There aren't any "must gives". Soon your baby will be eating his baby porridge for breakfast (with fruit purée), he or she can have a sugar free rusk and/or a breast feed in the later morning, a vegetable/grain based lunch, a milk free porridge in the afternoon and a milk based porridge in the evening.

I usually send out a Holle Baby Food Advisor with any first order. The advisor contains lots of useful tips as well as full information about the Holle organic baby food ranges.

Let me know your experiences of weaning. What advice and tips would you give mums about to start weaning their babies?