Common weaning questions that Cow & Gate get asked by parents...

A: Cow’s milk should not be given as a main drink until 12 months of age because it does not contain enough iron and other nutrients that a baby needs and contains too much sodium and protein.

If parents choose to use cows’ milk as a drink for their baby after 12 months then whole cows’ milk should be used. Semi-skimmed milk can be introduced after 2 years and skimmed milk after 5 years.

A: The most important point when beginning to introduce solid foods is that it is done gradually, as with any change to the diet. This gradual process is taken at a different pace depending on when weaning begins. If weaning at 6 months, as per the recommendations, then this process should move relatively quickly from baby rice and puréed fruits and vegetables onto finger foods and more mashed textures. If weaning anytime between 4 months and 6 months then gentle flavours and gluten free foods should be offered.

• Start with a spoon or two of puréed food at one mealtime during the day
• Increase the number of spoonfuls of food given over the course of a few weeks
• Introduce one new food at a time, then start to put different foods together
• Offer new foods when baby is not too hungry or tired; offer milk before and after the food initially
• When baby has the hang of this process and is eating a little more solid food then the milk before the feed can be decreased and eventually dropped

Baby rice mixed with baby’s usual milk is an ideal first weaning food for parents to try as it provides a familiar taste, is gluten free and smooth in texture. Puréed fruit or vegetables can be added to provide variety. Examples of suitable fruit and vegetables to try are apple, banana, pear, sweet potato, carrot, parsnip or cauliflower. Simply boil or steam the fruits or vegetables and then purée or pass through a sieve. Some of baby`s usual milk can be added to thin the mixture if required.

A: The transition from milks to solid foods and then on to lumpier textures requires baby to learn new skills; moving solid food around in the mouth with their tongue, chewing and then swallowing, and as with any new skill, it will take time and practice master.

Common signs that a baby is having trouble with lumps include:

• pulling funny faces
• spiting the food out
• gagging on the food

In this case:

• reassure parents that this is a common reaction to a new feeling in the mouth
• gagging on more lumpy food can be very normal and is part of learning about chewing and swallowing foods and usually only lasts a second before the baby swallows the food
• encourage parents to persevere, but if baby is very distressed by the new texture go back to puréed food and try again another day
• encourage parents to stay calm during feeding times
• try finger foods, as some babies find these easier to cope with

A: Babies are born with a preference for sweet foods and a liking for the more bitter tastes, like vegetables, has to be learned. Preference for a food is a function of exposure so even if the child rejects these foods initially, reassure parents to keep persevering as it can take 10-15 times for some new tastes to be accepted.

Handy Hints: Offer a small amount of the savoury food every day

• Encourage parents to offer at least one spoon of savoury food every day
• Even if only one spoonful of a savoury taste is accepted at first, reassure parents that this is great
• Don’t let it get to the stage where baby is very distressed with taking the food; if baby clamps their mouth shut and refuses, take the food away without comment

Handy Hints: Mix sweet and savoury

• Try mixing savoury tastes e.g. beef or broccoli, with sweeter foods such as apple purée
• Don’t worry about which tastes are put together, for example parsnip or sweet potato into an apple purée
• Use a small amount of savoury food mixed with the sweeter food at first and build up gradually, using more of the savoury food each time

A: If a parent comes to you with this before 6 months then offer reassurance that milk alone is sufficient until 6 months of age and to wait and try introducing solid foods again after this time.

If after 6 months:

Look at how much milk is being consumed and when it is offered

• Babies need around 20oz (1 pint) a day at this age. Drinking milk is still very important but the consumption of large volumes should be discouraged unless baby is unwell. Filling up on too much milk can reduce a baby’s appetite for solid foods.
• Discourage parents from offering milk before solid foods.
• If they are just drinking milk after a solid feed and in-between feeds then advise parents to slowly decrease this milk intake over a week or so.

Teething can affect food and milk intake

• Increase milk intake slightly, this will keep fluids up and ensure that baby is getting enough energy and nutrients.
• Feeding cooler foods can soothe sore gums, for example cold yogurts and fruit purée or cucumber pieces stored in the fridge.
• Harder foods may also help, as it gives baby something to bit down on, to help the teeth come through.

Any illnesses can also cause babies to go off their food

• Reassure parents that if this is only for a few days there is nothing to worry about.
• Suggest offering more milk but still offer solid meals, although baby may not eat much.
• Offer something that baby likes and stick to that for a few days.

A: This can be very common in babies when they have started to be introduced to the varied world of food!

If weaning before 6 months and baby stops taking as much milk:

• Continue to offer baby’s usual milk at the normal times
• Add baby’s usual milk to all weaning foods
• Try different teats and bottles or different temperatures of milk
• If you suspect teething, then offer pain relief before feeding

There can be other reasons for babies who are younger than 6 months to go off milk and these can include being unwell, allergies or intolerances, thrush or a change to routine. Generally these are short lived and the most important thing it to keep up fluids to ensure baby is hydrated.

If weaning after 6 months and baby stops taking as much milk:

• Reassure parents that a baby only needs 20oz (1 pint) a day at this age.
• Suggest continuing to try milk at the usual times but if it is refused don’t worry.
• Add baby’s usual milk to as many foods as possible, for example cheese sauce, mashed potato, vegetables, scrambled eggs as well as milky puddings like custard and rice pudding.
• Offer dairy food when you can, for example add cheese to eggs, on toast and in omelettes, and offer yogurts for pudding.
• If baby is over a year, Growing Up milk could be tried as this has a different taste which may be more acceptable. Click here for more information on Growing Up milk.

It is also important to consider that something else may be the cause of the milk refusal. At this age it could be teething and in this case the teat could be aggravating the gums and therefore being rejected. If this is the case, suggest some pain relief before feeding.

For practical advice and information on weaning including meal planners, weaning stages, recipes and hints & tips, visit the Cow & Gate website using this link:

Cow & Gate parents website - weaning information