Karmel - Weaning: what to feed, when to feed, and how to feed your baby

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Welcome to the wonderful world of weaning! Introducing your little one to solids is one of the most magical moments of parenting.

For 26 years, Ive been writing books on feeding babies, toddlers, and families, and millions of babies and children worldwide have been brought up on recipes that began their life at my kitchen table. In that time, there has been a lot of research into weaning in this book, I give you the benefit of that research, as well as nutritious quick and easy recipes and menu planners that will ensure your baby is getting a balanced diet that includes all the nutrients to fuel the rapid growth that takes place in the first year.

In the past, many babies were weaned at four or five months old onto fruit and vegetable pures, and this was fine because a babys nutritional needs are met by breast or formula milk in the first six months. However, if you introduce solids at around six months, as per the official guidance, fruit and vegetables alone will not give your baby what she needs. In this book, I will guide you through the critical nutrients your baby needs, depending on what age you decide to introduce solids, and how best to provide them.

There are different ways to wean your baby: either the traditional route of giving pures alongside finger foods or by baby-led weaning, a method that gives your baby an element of choice and encourages self-feeding from the outset. I talk you through the pros and cons of each method, but with the reassurance that there is no right or wrong way every baby is different and you as a parent will be the best judge of whats right for your baby. Many of the recipes in this book can be prepared to suit both methods.

Allergies are a big concern for a lot of parents, which is why Ive included an in-depth look at allergies. Many of the recipes can be adapted to take out foods that a child may be allergic to.

I was blessed with three very fussy eaters and for this I am thankful. Had my children been good eaters, I doubt I would ever have written my 44 books or have a global food business, with my ready meals and baby foods, based on some of my most popular recipes, sold in supermarkets. My greatest education has come from what I learned as a mum. My path was not always easy and I lost my first child at three months old although the reason for this was not diet-related, it became super-important to me to make sure that my children had the best start in life with a healthy diet.

I very much hope that my recipes, tips, and advice will wake up your babys taste buds, so that she can enjoy and benefit from a positive weaning experience and a healthy diet that will last a lifetime.

Annabel was awarded an MBE by the Queen for her services to child nutrition.

The steps involved in introducing your baby to solid food are not set in stone and you may find that she progresses more quickly or more slowly than other babies of a similar age. Some days may be better than others, too, and there will also be times when she wants only her usual milk . It helps to understand the basics of weaning and the theory behind it . Armed with knowledge, youll be able to develop a method that works for you and your baby.

Weaning is a gentle process that involves slowly and sensitively replacing your babys regular milk with nutritious food that will fill her with energy and encourage optimum growth and development. Bear in mind that eating is a learned skill, like walking and talking, and will take time for your baby to master. You have a window of opportunity between 612 months of age when your baby will eat pretty well, so take advantage of this to introduce a variety of new flavours that should set her on a path of healthy eating for life.

From around six months, your babys regular milk will no longer provide her with all the nutrients she needs in particular, vitamin D and iron and her stores of these start becoming depleted by this stage. This is one reason why now is the ideal time to begin weaning, as missing nutrients need to be provided by food. It is, however, very important to remember that your babys milk will continue to form a significant part of her nutrition for many months to come, giving her the fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals she needs. Whats more, feeding your baby her milk will remain an important source of comfort and will help to continue the bonding process. Your baby will need breast milk or formula until she is at least 12 months old, when her diet is varied enough to offer the correct balance of nutrients. Breastfeeding can be successfully continued alongside the introduction of solid food. There is plenty of research to suggest that breast milk continues to offer antibodies well into toddlerhood, which can help your little one resist infection. It also contains a readily absorbed form of iron, as well as protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, making it a perfect complement to a healthy, varied diet.

Breastfeed your baby as usual, or, if she is on formula milk, make sure she gets at least 600ml (1 pint) per day. Most parents find it easiest to continue with the morning and evening feeds and fit the other milk feeds around mealtimes, gradually giving a little less as their baby takes more solids. Feed your baby after her first tastes instead of before, so that she is hungrier and more willing to try foods on offer. Top her up with a milk feed once shes had a few spoonfuls of pure or rice.