A guide to the solid food frontier with baby-led weaning

Aim for ‘finger food’. A piece your baby can hold in their fist with a bit sticking out.

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Avoid hard food such as raw carrots to begin with.

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Aim for foods that break up easily in the mouth to reduce the risk of choking.

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Try to offer your baby a variety of weaning food suitable for their age. This can include fruit (soft or cooked without added sugar), vegetables (soft cooked), boiled eggs, cooked starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta, rice, noodles. Go for pulses such as beans and lentils. Try meat or fish without bones and sticks of pasteurised full-fat hard cheese.

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Babies do occasionally gag when they move on to solid foods. This is different to choking so it’s important to know the difference and what to do in case of either. The risk of choking is no higher with baby-led weaning than spoon feeding. It’s good to prepare yourself in the event of a choking incident.

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Don’t leave your baby to eat on their own.

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Try to incorporate their food explorations into family mealtimes so they can take part and copy what the rest of the family is doing.

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Be prepared for the mess. Some parents find placing a non-slip wipeable tablecloth, or floor mat under baby’s highchair can make clearing up a little easier.

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Remember it’s all about exploration and discovery, let your baby lead the way!

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