Baby Led Weaning Guide and Tips
Best First Foods:
Avocado: Superfruit stuffed with healthy fats and carotenoids. The dark green flesh close to the peel has the most phytonutrients.
Pumpkin & Squash: Rich in antioxidants and vitamins and easy for baby to eat, even without teeth.
Banana: Excellent source of fibre, potassium, and vitamin B6.
Sweet Potato: Serve roasted or steamed chunks for a wallop of beta-carotene and vitamin A.
Stewed Meates: Stew chicken, beef or pork in the slow cooker until incredibly tender.
Salmon & Tuna: Fresh steamed fish (with the bones removed) delivers healthy fats and omega-3s.
Strawberries: Packed with vitamin C and manganese. Serve raw or stewed and added to porridge or yogurt.
Spinach: Nutrient dense greens can be steamed and added to just about anything!
Foods to avoid for under 1s:
Honey: Contains bacteria which can be toxic to babies under one.
Undercooked Food: Fully cook all egg, meat and shellfish – no soft-boiled eggs for baby!
Animal Milk: Avoid cow’s, sheep’s or goat’s milk until 12 months old. Stick to mum’s milk or formula and/or water at mealtimes.
Certain Fish: Shark, marlin and swordfish can contain high levels of mercury.
Mold-Ripened Cheese: Avoid cheeses like brie, stilton and other soft, mold-ripened varieties.
Salt: Limit to under 1g salt (or 0.4g sodium) daily for babies under one.
Sugar: Avoid sugar or artificial sweeteners. Watch out for processed foods and juice.
Caffeine: Avoid tea, coffee, soft drinks and hidden sources of caffeine like cocoa and chocolate.
Tips for Baby-led Weaning:
Remove Choke Hazards: Cut grapes or cherry tomatoes into quarters. Avoid tough skins and always check for small bones and remove shells.
Be present: Always stay with the baby while they eat, in case they need your help.
Cup Drinking: If you’re breastfeeding, avoid using bottles. Instead, try a sippy cup or Doidy Cup.
New Era Nappies: Brace yourself for nappy contents: Baby’s poo will change as they start to eat (and digest) solids.
Get Suction Plates: Avoid your baby throwing the plates on the floor by using Silikong Suction Plates.
Invest in Bibs: Baby-led weaning is messy. Get a full-sleeved bib and an easy to clean silicone bib with crumb catcher.
Get a Splash Mat: Save your floors and stock up on wipes and splash mats.
Have Fun: Remember that food before one is just for fun. Relax and help baby explore.
