Next steps in baby’s solid foods adventure
Now that you’ve introduced baby to some new tastes and textures, you can start broadening their taste buds even further by offering a variety of healthy solid foods.
- Let your baby set the pace. Every child is different, and you’ll be able to see what works best for your little food explorer.
- Try different textures and flavors to broaden your baby’s taste.
- Cook the same ingredients in different ways to see what goes down the best.
- Baby see baby do, so be a good role model and let baby join in with family meals.
- Watching you will arouse their curiosity, and encourage them to copy you and join in.
- Watch out for allergies. Common food triggers include: celery, cereals containing gluten, cow’s milk, crustaceans (shrimps, prawns etc.), eggs, fish, nuts, lupin, sesame seeds, soya, and sulphites. Read up on what you should consider when it comes to baby food allergies vs intolerances.
- Variety is key. Focus on the main food groups: dairy (always full-fat and pasteurized), grains and starches (rice, pasta, potatoes), protein foods (meat, fish, eggs, and pulses. Also nuts—crushed, ground, or as a smooth butter), fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned, but no added sugar or salt).
- Don’t give up! You may need to offer your baby new foods and textures up to eight times before he enjoys them.
- Try to avoid salty and sugary foods, foods high in saturated fat, low-fat foods, raw shellfish, shark, swordfish and marlin (high in mercury), whole nuts (choking risk), honey*
- Offer water with every meal and snack. And remember, breast milk or formula, and water are the only beverages your baby needs at this age.
Sources:
https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/what-to-feed-your-baby/7-9-months/#anchor-tabs
https://buildinghealthyhabits.com/forum/2016/6/3/the-three-stages-of-weaning
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/solid-foods-weaning/
*Honey plays a crucial role in taste development, particularly in early life, as it introduces infants to a diverse range of flavors and helps shape their palate.
However, honey can contain the bacteria that may cause infant botulism. Consequently, honey should not be introduced before 12 months of age unless the spores of Clostridium botulinum have been inactivated by adequate high-pressure and high-temperature treatment, as used by industry.
Whenever honey is used in our products, it undergoes an externally validated treatment that ensures our products are safe to consume.
Related articles
Acceptance and Refusal – 12 to 24 Months
When feeding your baby, understanding how much food he/she needs can be tricky.
2 mins to read
Understanding The Power Of Proteins
Proteins are often known as the “Bricks of Life”.
3 mins to read
The importance of responsive feeding for lifelong health
Did you know? Both pressuring your baby to eat more, or restricting how much she eats, can interfere with her growth.
3 mins to read
Baby Self Feeding – What to Expect?
Gone are the days of spoon-feeding him purées, it’s time to roll out the wipeable mat for your independent eater! Let your toddler lead the way on his adventures in food.
6 mins to read
Baby constipation - symptoms, causes and treatment
Constipation doesn’t only happen to grown-ups; babies and children get it as well.
2 mins to read
Baby Teething Tips
Teething can be a distressing time for your baby and you too. We’ve put together an action plan of teething tips, so you can all get through it without gritting your teeth.
2 mins to read
Playful Learning – The unseen benefits
Did you know? Imaginary play and ‘talking time’ are essential to your baby’s healthy development.
2 mins to read
How to Increase Baby Immunity with Child-Friendly Foods
Nothing is more painful than seeing your child fall prey to infectious diseases easily.
4 mins to read
Babies And Their Grandparents - The Beginning Of A Beautiful Love Story
Grandparents love looking after their grandchildren and can be a great help to you as long as they can retain their freedom! Make the most of this special relationship.
3 mins to read
Signs of Baby blues vs postpartum depression
Wondering how to know if I have postnatal depression? You’ve just birthed a human, your whole has been turned upside down, and you haven’t slept for what feels like an age.
4 mins to read
Healthy Baby Snacks On The Go – Get Inspired!
When your baby is hungry in between meals, think about nutrition and balance as you do with main meals. Avoid high-sugar, low-nutrient snacks.
1 min to read
Baby Milestones – 12 to 24 Months
A few key milestones in your child’s development.
1 min to read
Developing Healthy Digestive System By Including Probiotics In Your Child's Diet
There are billions of bacteria living in our digestive system.
3 mins to read
How to tell if your baby is full? Nine faces of feeding
It may seem like a whole new world now that your little one is starting to eat solid foods.
4 mins to read
Finding the right nutritional balance for your toddler
Latest research reveals that foods high in salt and sugar may be taking up too much space in toddlers’ tummies, leaving little room for foods that are high in essential nutrients.
3 mins to read
Baby Poo
Your baby's stools let you know how their digestive system is performing. Telling the difference between "normal" and "abnormal" can be difficult at first, but don't despair.
7 mins to read
10 tips for a sound baby sleep routine
Baby sleep routines can vary enormously, often causing poor parents many sleepless nights. Here are some bedtime routine tips to help your baby sleep through the night.
1 min to read
Baby Sleep Development - Benefits
As well as recharging your baby’s batteries for tomorrow’s playtime, sleep can help his brain, body, and even vocabulary develop.
5 mins to read
Baby Blues
You are not alone. Almost two thirds of mothers feel down after childbirth.
4 mins to read
