Baby Weaning Questions We’re Always Asked (And Happy To Answer!)
Whether you’re just about to start weaning, well into the thick of it, or have weaned before, there are bound to be questions that come up on your journey! At Mamamade, we’re always happy to answer your weaning questions and offer you guidance, support and advice - whether that be via Instagram DM, phone call or email - just know that we’re always here for you every step of the way.
Read on for the answers to some of our most frequently asked weaning questions…
💭 How do I know when my baby is ready to start weaning?
It's so important to wait until your baby is ready to start weaning, but as new parents you may be a little unsure about what signs to look out for! Here are three common signs which usually appear around 6 months, that show your baby is ready for their first solid foods, alongside breast milk or formula:
1️⃣ They’re able to sit up and hold their head steady with support.
2️⃣ They have lost their tongue-thrust reflex and are able to swallow food (rather than spitting it back out!).
3️⃣ They’re interested in food and can look at it, pick it up and bring it towards their mouth.
💭 Is baby led weaning or spoon feeding better?
At Mamamade, we don’t ascribe to ‘the one of the other’ philosophy - when we talk about weaning, it's a process - it's learning a new skill, so that your baby can diversify their diet with foods in addition to milk, and ultimately to eat as part of the family. And whether you’re spoon feeding or introducing solids from the outset, these are just two methods to achieve the same outcome, and one isn’t better than the other!
We find that the majority of our customers go with a combination of both! Both methods have their pros and cons, which we'll explain in more detail in this blog.
💭 What are the best first baby weaning foods`?
The truth is, there is no right or wrong. First foods can be influenced by what you eat, what’s in season, and what’s culturally relevant to your family.
That said, we’d definitely advise looking for nutrient-rich and nourishing foods, such as fruits and vegetables that are either cooked until soft, mashed or pureed, or oats.
See above for a couple of our favourite first foods - plus download our First 30 Days Weaning Guide for a step-by-step menu with over 40 baby food recipes and meal suggestions for the first 30 days of weaning.
💭 Do I start with one meal a day when weaning?
As your little one will be eating such a small amount when they first start weaning (perhaps just one or two teaspoons!), you can start with one ‘meal’ alongside milk feeds, and build up from there. In the first few weeks of solids, it might be helpful to think of that first meal as an opportunity to explore, rather than as a meal!
Most parents find the mid-morning works well for serving a meal, but ultimately, you should look to serve the food when your little one is alert, not too hungry and not too tired.
We’ll be here every step of the way as you look to introduce more meals to your little one’s diet - just drop us a DM, or book a Weaning Consultation with us!
💭 My baby gags when eating anything other than purées - help!
Gagging when weaning is very common and completely normal! During weaning, your baby will probably gag a lot, as they have a highly sensitive gag reflex. Babies don't have the skills to control chewing and moving food to the back of their mouths to swallow, so babies gag to stop food going down the wrong way.
You might be reassured to know that gagging is a protective reflex, designed to prevent choking - so though it can be dramatic and noisy, it’s not an emergency.
If you find your little one is gagging on anything other than purées, we recommend building up texture slowly over time - make purées a little thicker, then try mashed food, before working your way to more whole textures and finger foods.
Still worried? We discuss gagging, choking and textures during our Weaning 101 Workshops!
💭 Can finger foods be given to a 6-month-old?
Yes! Finger foods are not recommended if starting weaning before 6 months, but if your little one is 6-months-old, that’s completely fine. Just make sure that foods are still soft, and cut safely for baby-led weaning.
💭 I’m so scared about BLW - how should I introduce finger foods to my baby?
It's okay to be nervous about introducing finger foods! The most important thing you need to know is how to serve finger food to your baby, in order to reduce the risk of choking, and also to help your baby feed themselves! At 6 months they won't have developed their pincer grip yet, so they'll need to be offered foods they can pick up with their whole hand. Think finger-size strips and only offering soft food, plus grated foods are also great for exploring new textures!
At Mamamade, we offer bundles for every age and stage, including bundles specifically for BLW! Discover our full range of meal and finger food bundles here.
💭 My baby has started to refuse their bottle - any advice?
We know firsthand that when a baby shows difficulties with bottle-feeding, it can be very worrying! Saying this, bottle aversion is incredibly common - so much so that this blog we wrote two years ago is one of our most-read posts. Click here to learn more about bottle aversion, how to identify it and most importantly, how to navigate your way around it!
💭 How should I introduce peanuts to my baby?
The prevalence of peanut allergies has doubled in the last 10 years alone, so we understand that you can feel a little nervous about introducing allergens! The good news is that general consensus today is that the earlier you can introduce common food allergens, the better. There are plenty of ways you can introduce peanuts into your little one’s diet - such as mixing into porridges or serving a thin layer on toast - click here for even more easy foodie suggestions, along with allergic reaction signs to look out for.
💭 When should I drop milk feeds when weaning my baby?
Up until 12 months, milk will remain your baby’s number one source of nutrition, and until they’re one, there’s no need to actively drop any milk feeds. As they start to eat more, they may naturally cut back on milk - and in most cases, that’s totally ok. However, you may wish to start dropping some milk feeds as your baby gets older - follow your baby’s lead!
At Mamamade, we’ve always been more than just food, which is why we’re here to support you with weaning accessories and resources to support you on your journey…
☎️ Book a Consultation With Us
Feeling overwhelmed by all of the mealtime advice out there? Book a 30 or 60-minute call with us! We're here to chat through your questions and concerns at a time convenient to you.
💻 Join our next Weaning 101 Workshop
Consider our Weaning 101 Workshop as a complete support system - a detailed virtual 45-minute workshop filled with practical advice on how to wean your baby, helpful visuals and action points that you can follow on your weaning journey.
📒 Download the First 30 Days Weaning Guide
Jam-packed with bite-sized, expert information and over 40+ recipes and meal ideas, our First 30 Days Weaning Guide is perfect for those just starting their solids journey.
📱 Chat with us on Whatsapp
We’ve just started a Mamamates Whatsapp group so we can all chat about weaning, parenting, and everything in between! Click here to join!
💗 Join our private Facebook community
Our private Mamamates Facebook group is a place for like-minded parents to connect, share, listen, learn, help, or just talk about whatever is on our minds. See you there!
Love, Sophie & Team Mamamade x
