Baby Weaning Plan: Month 1

Congratulations on starting the exciting journey of weaning with your little one! The first month of weaning is an essential and gentle introduction to solid foods. As you begin this new chapter, it's crucial to take it one step at a time and allow your baby to adjust to the new tastes and textures. This is a structure that worked for us when we started weaning our little ones. Remember, every baby is unique, and this plan is meant to be flexible, accommodating your baby's preferences and developmental readiness

Week 1: Introduction to Purees

During the first week of weaning, focus on introducing smooth, single-ingredient purees to your baby. Opt for mild and easily digestible foods such as:

1. Pureed Apple: Steam or boil apple slices until soft and then mash or blend them into a smooth puree.

2. Mashed Banana: Mash a ripe banana until smooth and offer it to your baby.

Start by offering a small spoonful of puree after one of your baby's usual milk feeds. Observe your baby's reactions and cues, such as tongue movements or eagerness for more, to gauge their readiness.

Week 2: Introducing Vegetables

In the second week, continue offering single-ingredient purees, but this time, introduce vegetables to expand your baby's palate. Some suitable options include:

1. Pureed Carrot: Steam or boil carrot slices until soft, then blend or mash them into a smooth texture.

2. Mashed Sweet Potato: Cook sweet potato until tender, then mash it until smooth and creamy.

Alternate between fruit and vegetable purees to expose your baby to different tastes. Keep in mind that your baby may only consume a small amount at this stage, as their main source of nutrition is still breast milk or formula.

Week 3: Mixing Fruits and Vegetables

As your baby becomes more accustomed to the taste of purees, you can start mixing fruits and vegetables to create new flavours. Some combinations to try are:

1. Apple and Pear Puree: Combine steamed or boiled apple and pear slices and blend them into a smooth mixture.

2. Carrot and Potato Puree: Blend or mash cooked carrot and potato together for a tasty blend.

Introduce one mixed puree at a time, allowing your baby to adjust to the new flavours and textures.

Week 4: Introducing Soft Finger Foods

Towards the end of the first month, you can begin introducing soft finger foods to encourage self-feeding and improve hand-eye coordination. Some suitable options include:

1. Soft Cooked Broccoli Florets: Steam or boil broccoli until tender and cut them into small, baby-friendly pieces.

2. Ripe Avocado: Offer small, ripe avocado slices that your baby can pick up and explore.

Always supervise your baby closely during this stage, as they may still be learning how to manage solid foods.

Tips for Successful Weaning

1. Follow your baby's cues: Pay attention to your baby's signals of hunger and fullness, and let them guide their eating pace.

2. Be patient: Some babies may take longer to accept new tastes and textures, and that's completely normal. Be patient and try again later if they refuse initially.

3. Offer water: Begin offering sips of water from a sippy cup or open cup to complement their solid food intake.

Remember that weaning is a gradual process, and it's essential to continue providing breast milk or formula as your baby's primary source of nutrition. As you progress through the weaning journey, observe your baby's development and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or questions.

Wishing you a joyful and empowering weaning experience with your little one!