Introducing Solids With Sophie,? in-house paediatrician and Co-Founder at Little Tummy’s.

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to ask and gain advice on weaning. I feel that there is so much contradicting advice out there, it can be really difficult to know what is right, when in fact you can do a lot right, and not that much can be wrong.

You may be in the same position as me where it was nice to feel reassured in everything that you have been doing right so far.

Here are my questions to Sophie and her responses!

My baby makes a scrunched up expression on her face like she is not enjoying her food?

It can take up to 10 to 15 times before a baby can like certain tastes. Especially vegetables. Vegetables are bitter unlike fruit and your baby’s sweet tasting milk. This unusual taste will be ever so strong for them when they first try it. Scrunching up their face does not necessarily mean that your baby has taken a dislike to the taste, it could just be like us when we try sour food. The taste can be strong or unusual to them and that is their reaction.

How can I get my baby to try more finger foods?

Start off by mashing up your own family meals first. This will allow them to try different textures and help them become use to chewing first if they struggle to consume solid finger foods.

How much sugar should my baby be consuming?

Your baby should have 5g/100g of sugar and no additive sugar. Since watching Moles sugar intake, she has been sleeping through the night much better.

Fruit purees will be higher in sugar content. When the fruit is boiled, it sets the fruit sugar free.

Focus on looking at the carbohydrate, complex carbs and fibre intake for your baby to have sufficient energy levels. Foods such as:

• Weetabix
• Wholegrain
• Porridge
• Dark green vegetables (kale, spinach)
• Beans
• Lentils

You can make tasty lentil burgers for your baby to try. Then can be sweet and savoury, easy to chew and contain a high amount of protein and iron.

My baby does not seem too hungry during the day?

When your baby goes through a development spurt or a mental leap, they can forget to eat. By this I mean, your baby is far too fascinated with everything new, playing with their toys, learning to crawl and explore and even trying to climb. The last thing your baby will think is how hungry they are or when they are being fed, you may find they become bored quickly and want to be out of their high chair exploring.?

Mole would have very little appetite during the day and then be up through out the night screaming for night feeds. I changed her eating routine to make sure she had 3 meals a day and 2 snacks. I switched her breakfast to fruity, wholegrain porridge rather than natural yoghurt so she was full. Again with her dinner, I give her cottage pie and for her tea she will have something like beef strew with a dessert. Meals that will really fill her up. Her favourite snacks are Ellas melty puffs or a natural yoghurt.

How much protein should my baby have?

Your baby should have 3 to 4 portions of protein a week. This can be from:

• Dairy (make sure it is whole fat milk)
• Meat
• Lentils.

How much fat should my baby have?

3 times per week. Excellent fat sources are:

• Fish (tuna and salmon as they are high in omega 3)
• Rapeseed oil
• Olive oil

Is my baby getting enough vitamins?

If your baby is on less than 500ml of formula then they need Vitamin D. The UK recommendation is that children up until the age of 4 years old need to take Vitamin D. The reason? In the UK we are not exposed to enough sun. Foods that are high in Vitamin D are salmon and eggs. Although you will need to eat 10 eggs.

You can read mine and Mole’s Vitamin routine here.

My baby is starting nursery, any tips on staying healthy?

With nursery comes viruses and infections. It unfortunately is something that your baby has to go through but will help strengthen their immune system.

Winter will be worse as they are inside, the air from the heating will be dry and the babies will be touching each other.

Make sure you and your baby are getting enough sleep, Vitamin D, iron and zinc. Again this can be found in fish, lentils and beans.

How can I get my baby to drink water from a sippy cup?

Some babies prefer to use a straw with their cup. The main tip is to be persistent and keep offering the sippy cup. If you supervise your baby, offer them a plastic or glass cup and see if they prefer that method instead.

I hope you have learnt something from my questions, I sure did! Remember…there is so much that you will already be doing right!

A massive thank you to Sophie at Little Tummy!

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xxx