Weaning your little one onto solid food is always going to be daunting and is going to cause emotions to run high, it is a big change after all. However, weaning doesn’t have to be an overly stressful process; it’s down to how you manage things, that’s all.
The stress isn’t just caused by having to decide how to wean your baby or when to do it; it’s also linked to the change in what you need to take out with you. You have to swap your bottles and formula (or breast if you are breastfeeding) for feeding bowls, baby spoons, bibs, and a selection of foods to keep your little one sustained.
While weaning may always be a somewhat stressful process, there are a few steps that you can take to help make things a little smoother for you and your little one. To help you to do that, below are some tips and pieces of advice that are worth taking note of.
Relax and take things slowly
Weaning isn’t a race. Don’t worry about how long the process takes, remember it’s a big change and one that it will take time for both you and your little one to adjust to. The weaning process is made to allow your child has to learn valuable skills and learning those skills, such as chewing and swallowing thicker consistencies than milk, takes time. Let your little one eat at their own pace, regardless of how long it takes for them to finish their food.
Don’t stress about the mess
If you look around and see bits of baby food flung everywhere, don’t panic. Embrace the mess. When it comes to weaning, mess is just another part of life and one that there is no need to worry about. So your little one has got their breakfast everywhere, don’t worry about it, it’s nothing a wet wipe won’t sort out. If the mess really bothers you, pop a plastic sheet under your little one’s highchair to make clearing up the mess easier.
Blend to different consistencies
The first food you give your baby should be pureed right down, so it’s smooth and as close in consistency to milk as possible. Over time, as your little one adjusts, you can begin to change the consistency of the food that you give them, leaving more chunks in their food. When it comes to transporting their food out and about, products like the Thermo Boutique insulated lunchbox, for instance, can come in handy. When it comes to weaning, you want to make things as easy for yourself as possible.
Let your baby lead you
Don’t worry about knowing what your baby is ready for, as they will soon let you know. Many parents stress about looking for the signs of what their little one is ready for when most kids will show you themselves. That’s why so many parents now use a weaning technique known as ‘baby led weaning’, where babies are given a selection of foods and able to choose what they want to eat.
Don’t stress about the weaning process, try to relax and enjoy yet another stage of your baby’s development.
