Stages of Weaning

The Stages of Weaning shown below can vary from child to child, but moving your child from milk to solids can lay the foundation of a healthy eating habit and eventually food will provide all the nutrients your little one needs.

First Stage – 4 – 6 months

Weaning your baby from bottles only to solid food.
Introduce slowly, freshly prepared food.
Puree all fruit and vegetables, like a thick soup.
Weaning spoons and bowls must be sterilized for the first 6 months.
The baby still should be taking 20floz – 25floz per day.
Foods should be introduced gradually and careful notes made of any reactions.

Second Stage – 7 – 9 months

Make eating a sociable event, include your baby at the dinner table.
Foods are now thicker and have lumps in it.
Encourage your child to chew and get used to the new texture.
The baby still should be taking 18floz – 20floz.
The baby is having three meals per day – breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Also the baby will be having one serving of cooked meat e.g.: Beef, lamb or fish in their diet.
Red meat is an excellent source of iron.

Third Stage – 9 – 12 months

At this stage your child will be progressing from crawling and possible even walking.
The child is developing their independence and may now want to feed himself.
Give him finger food and encourage him to feed themselves.
Their diet can now be like the rest of the family
No salt, nuts or honey.
Encourage your child to drink from a beaker, only having one bottle of formula milk at bedtime.
Babies who enjoy a wide variety of tastes and textures at this stage grow up to be good eaters who are not fussy with food.

Fourth Stage – 12 months – 2 years

Three meals per day.
Sitting with the family for all meals and using a spoon, fork and knife (plastic).
Limit intake of foods that are high in sugar and salt.
At this age there may be a change in their eating habits and favorite meals may be refused – this is normal behavior.
Encourage their involvement with food preparation, make meals interesting