~ Introduction ~

The First Year of Food

When you start weaning will completely depend on you and your child. So I have compiled some resources to help you consider when to start and how to start. Everything from signs to look out for that your baby is ready to start solids, advice from our partner paediatric dietician Bianca Parau about weaning, to what I find useful for prepping babyfood. You’ll be surprised as I hope most of the kit exists in your kitchen already. You don’t need an all singing and dancing blending and pureeing machine to get started.

Most importantly I want to impress on you that I am a parent and I know this stage can feel like a daunting next step, this is my parent approach to weaning, written for other parents, to help ease the journey.

For further reading the NHS guidelines are a crucial guide. I would also advise talking to your health care advisor as there really is no one size fits all to the first year of food. A link also to Bianca’s website should you wish to contact her for her expert advice, tailored to your baby, or her in depth nutrition services.

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Blog

Miriam asks Bianca Parau about Weaning

Weaning and What to Buy?

An updated list for my basic weaning starter kit, including some new finds. But mostly I am using kitchen utensils and products I already have in my kitchen, or that I bought when I started solid foods with my daughter. You don’t need to spend a fortune. In my experience you can waste so much money and simple really is best.

Starting Solids

This month I am starting my second baby eating adventure, this time with baby George. So one of the things we are talking about in the mimi’s bowl kitchen are the key signs your baby is ready to start weaning. This blog is written in conjunction with our partner paediatric dietician Bianca Parau.

Weaning and when to start?

Written in conjunction with our paediatric dietician Bianca Parau, this blog discusses the key signs your baby is ready to start weaning. Every baby is so different it has been great to get Bianca's professional opinion. I hope this blog will help guide you and answer some of your questions too.

First Tastes and Foods

This is Stage 1 of the Mimi’s Bowl approach to baby weaning; which could fall anywhere between 4-7 months, depending on when you begin solid food. It can feel like a daunting time for any parent: you have just got to grips with feeding and sleeping, then suddenly there is this next new hurdle… Keep it simple, you have enough going on. My advice is to embrace this next milestone, it will make it a much more positive experience for you and your baby. In Stage 1, focus on first foods and tastes and then wheat free grains. I am also sharing my thoughts on how to prep food for your baby and what you might need to get started.

This is the first special step in your babies first year of eating.

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First Tastes and Foods

This is the first of a series of four blog posts about weaning, which I hope will clearly lead you through the first year of food with your baby. All babies are different and what works for one baby, may not work for another. Everything from their appetites, sensitivities to taste and touch, will vary. So my key piece of advice is to be flexible and adapt your baby meal plan as you go. Trust your instincts as a parent: you know your baby best.

Weaning, Foods to Avoid

Sometimes the hardest thing about starting to feed your baby, is knowing what not to feed your baby. Our partner, paediatric dietician, Bianca Parau has put together this helpful list of what foods to avoid. I recommend reading this before you get started on your weaning journey.

recipe ideas

Recipes

Root Vegetable Purée

No Cook Fruit Purées

Apple & Pear Compote

Homemade Vegetable Stock

~ Stage 2 ~

Second Tastes and Foods

By now you will have worked through Stage 1 First Tastes and Flavours: exploring your babies first fruits, vegetables and wheat-free grains. It is now time for Stage 2: Combining Purees, a Variety of Grains, Protein and Essential Fats, Key Minerals and Vitamins.

It is an exciting time, as your baby can now begin to explore more complex flavours and more exciting foods. The foundation of weaning is ensuring variety in what your child eats and offering a broad range of flavours: bitter -> through to sweet. Stage 2 is where this really comes into play: especially since you can start making some delicious recipes. As with all weaning, stick to simple recipes which are nutrient dense. This is a period of development for your baby so food is now a key part, of supporting your baby with nourishing food.

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Second Tastes and Foods

This is the second part, in a four-part series on weaning, written in conjunction with our paediatric dietician. These four key stages are based on how I approached weaning, with both my own children. Here are my clear goals, to make the whole process easier, less complicated and more enjoyable. However, every baby is different, if you have any concerns or questions please consult your personal Health Care Advisor.