Each child should be managed individually and developmental signs of readiness for solid food in the child, and parental opinions, should be taken into consideration when advising on the ideal age to begin weaning.
Weaning is not just about the taste and texture of the new foods you choose to introduce your child to. Remember that the sight and smell of the food is also very stimulating to the child6.
Colors
Children are stimulated by different colors.
Vegetables and fruits are great first taste foods and offer a huge variety of colors' that can be used at each of the different stages of weaning.
Melon, Mushroom, Red Pepper, Red Onion, Yellow Pepper.
Green Beans, Beetroot, Kiwi Fruit, Cauliflower, Tomatoes.
Green Lentils, Strawberries, Baked Beans, Kidney Beans, Sweetcorn.
Smell
Foods may be the same color such as potato, onion and cauliflower or broccoli, peas and green pepper, but each has a very distinctive smell.
Smell is an important part of tasting foods. Smell triggers saliva production in the mouth which helps the child to taste and swallow the food properly. It also aids production of digestives juices in the stomach which assists with digestion.
Texture
Different textures can easily be obtained with the same foods by altering the amount of time mashing or blending of each food.
Samples from the smoothest stages can be added to the next stage to ease transition.
- Small individual pieces
- Mashed with a fork (10-20seconds)
- Blended (2 minutes) add a little water
- Blended (1 minute) add a little water
- Mashed with a fork (40-50 seconds)
Please consult your doctor the soonest to follow up in case of an allergic reaction to a food item, particularly what to do if your child’s breathing is affected.