You’ve been breastfeeding your baby from the start. You’ve gotten past those two-hourly feedings your baby had in the first weeks, to starting solids and drinking from a cup. What now?

When to wean

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, then continued breastfeeding while solids are introduced during the second six months of life. Weaning can happen at one year, but breastfeeding can continue as long as mom and baby are both happy with it. The World Health Organization recommends nursing to two years or beyond. Experts say the natural age for weaning is between 2.5 years and 7 years.

Weaning without worries

If you want to wean your baby, you need to consider his age and his developmental stage. If your baby is younger than one year, those at-breast feedings will need to be replaced with expressed breastmilk or formula.

If your baby is older than one year, you can gradually wean from the breast by eliminating one feeding every few days. If your baby resists or regresses in other areas, then weaning is going too fast for him. Gradual weaning is also preferred so that your breasts do not become engorged, risking plugged ducts and mastitis for you.

For older babies, weaning strategies might include: distractions at normal feeding times, substitutions with other foods, shortened nursing sessions, and don’t offer don’t refuse.

Expect weaning to take time – maybe even months. Night nursing and naptime sessions are typically the last to go.

What if you’re being pressured to wean?

How do you feel about continuing to breastfeed? It’s entirely your own private decision about whether or not to continue nursing your baby. The benefits of breastfeeding don’t end just because your baby turns a certain age. How you deal with judgments from others depends on how close you are to that person. You may be more emotionally offended if the person questioning your continued breastfeeding is your partner or a family member. You can always use phrases, such as “My doctor thinks this is best for our baby” or “This is working for our family” when people start asking when you’re going to wean.

Extended breastfeeding

Breastmilk doesn’t turn to water at one year. It continues to be a source of nutrients for your toddler. Your child will still get the immunological benefits along with the calories and comfort of breastfeeding no matter how many months (or years) old he is.

How long are you planning to nurse your baby? What are your #breastfeedinggoals?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Your pregnancy bump acts like a magnet, attracting unwanted advice from across the land. As soon as you start to show, you will be receiving advice about sleeping, breastfeeding and discipline. It can be tiresome to say the least.

There will be times, however, when you are in need of advice. Perhaps during those first few days, as you struggle to help your baby to latch on for a feed. Or maybe a couple of weeks later, when your baby develops a rash and you don’t know what has caused it. Or maybe a couple of months down the line, when you want a tried and tested method to help your baby with teething pains. So, when you do want parenting advice, where can you get it?

1. Experienced friends – lots of people rely on experienced friends for advice. These friends have been through it all recently, you trust them, and they probably love an opportunity to share their tips and tricks with you. Choose friends whose parenting styles you admire and want to replicate. Remember, just because you’re friends, doesn’t necessarily mean you will agree on everything, so it’s ok to pick and choose which advice you follow.

2. Your parents – some people choose to rely on their own parents or in-laws for advice. This makes sense, after all, you know whether they were good parents or not! You may find that you feel closer to your parents once you become a parent, because you are finally able to truly understand all that they did for you. One thing to be wary of, however, is that their advice may be outdated. Official advice changes over time because of scientific studies and new research coming out, but your parents are unlikely to be aware of this. For example, though parents are now advised to put babies to sleep on their back at the foot of the crib, this wasn’t always the case. Double check any advice that could be outdated, to make sure it is still considered safe.

3. A trusted book – if you’re a bookworm, you might have a whole shelf filled with parenting literature by now. Or, perhaps, you just have the one trusted manual. It’s useful to have a book you can turn to during times of need, and one that can help to shape your overall parenting philosophy. Try to read a variety of books, so that you can pick and choose the advice you find most helpful.

4. Doctor Google – it’s sometimes hard to imagine life before smart phones. How did new parents used to find out whether their baby’s poo was normal, or what to do if their baby projectile vomited? Some new parents search for answers on the internet. There is a wealth of information available, but it may not always be good advice. Be selective about which sites you visit, and whose information you trust.

5. Healthcare professionals – if you are worried that your baby may be ill, of course you should always contact your doctor. However, you may also find healthcare professionals useful in other circumstances too. If your child is having trouble sleeping, is having difficulty latching on, or simply wants to be held all the time, you could ask your healthcare provider for advice. In the UK, you could speak to your health visitor for advice on any issues related to parenting. In the US, you can speak to your pediatrician.

Where do you think you will get your parenting advice from?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Your baby’s first year is filled with all kinds of exciting milestones. The first smile, the first explosive poop, the first time she reaches up with those beautifully chubby arms and gives you a cuddle. One of the milestones many parents look forward to is weaning. Those first few bites of solid food seem just as exciting to you as they are for your baby. All of a sudden, a whole new world of textures, tastes and aromas has opened up to your child.

Like any parent, you’ll want to give your child the best. Whether that means food from your own plate, homemade purees or professionally prepared jars will depend on what’s right for your family. There is no right or wrong way to do things. Here are five things it’s worth being mindful of when it comes to weaning your baby:

1. Sugar

Your baby doesn’t need sugar in her diet. Sugar is made up of empty calories that will fill your baby’s tummy without providing any nutritional benefits. It’s also bad news for those pearly whites your baby has been working on recently. If you’re eating out, check with the chef to make sure sugar isn’t being added to your baby’s food. Always check jars of pureed food for their sugar content. Sugar is used a preservative, so your baby might be consuming more sugar than you think. Avoid cordials and fruit juices and instead, stick with water for your baby’s mealtime drink.

2. Salt

Salt is another ingredient commonly used as a preservative in foods. It’s also used for flavor, many adults have fallen victim to the salt trap where food doesn’t taste right unless it’s flavored with salt. Your baby does need some salt in her diet, but only 1g a day. It is thought that most babies eat more than this thanks to processed foods such as bread and tinned foods. Too much salt can lead to kidney problems as well as encouraging your child to opt for salty foods in the future which could be bad for her health. Check the labels to see how much food your baby is eating and avoid adding salt to your baby’s food.

3. Additives

Additives and e-numbers are added to all sorts of foods. They are used as preservatives and often appear on the label in the form of an e-number, leaving many consumers unaware of what they’re eating. When it comes to your baby’s food, you probably want to be clued up about what’s in it, so keep an eye on those e-numbers. A quick Google search will reveal what each e-number means.

4. Allergens

Food intolerances are more common than you might think. Food intolerances can cause skin rashes, stomach cramps and nausea, amongst other symptoms. If you think your baby may have a food intolerance, keep a food diary for a couple of weeks until you can establish a pattern. Note down any symptoms as well as any foods eaten, your doctor will be able to analyse this information to spot potential causes of the intolerance. Animal milks, dairy products, wheat, gluten and eggs are some of the most common causes of food intolerances. Speak to your healthcare provider for advice if you think your baby may be suffering from a food intolerance.

5. Quantity

How much should your baby eat? That’s a tricky question to answer and something many parents worry about at night. You may worry that your child is eating too much or too little, but how do you know when she’s getting the right amount? There is no set amount that your child should be eating. The amount she needs will depend on her energy levels, how many calories she consumes through breast or formula milk and whether she is feeling 100%. The best thing to do is let your child determine how much she eats. Offer her a healthy, balanced diet and give her the freedom to choose how much she eats. Some days she will eat more than others, that’s totally normal and nothing to worry about. As long as your baby seems to be thriving, you can rest assured that she’s getting enough food.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Breastfeeding has been going well for you and your little one, when suddenly, baby begins refusing the breast. You may ask yourself: Is he weaning? Is something wrong with my milk? Is it something about me?

A nursing strike is a sudden refusal to nurse (whereas weaning is typically a gradual reduction). Babies younger than one year rarely self-wean. Nursing strikes are most common between 3 months and 9 months. The breast refusal typically lasts 2 to 4 days, but may last a week or more. The worst part is that your baby will likely be pretty fussy and unhappy about the situation.

Knowing the cause of the nursing strike – which may take some sleuthing – will let you know how best to proceed to get baby back to the breast. Occasionally, a strike comes and goes and the root is never determined. Some common reasons for a nursing strike include:

• Illness: Does your baby have a stuffy nose (so that he can’t breathe while nursing), an ear infection (which can cause discomfort with being held certain ways or when swallowing), or thrush (which can cause a tender mouth)?
• Pain: some teething babies refuse the breast due to painful gums; immunizations and injuries can cause pain when baby is held in a nursing position.
• A change of schedule: If baby is staying with a sitter more often or if you are separated longer than normal, he may refuse the breast.
• A change in mom’s smell: Are you using a new soap, perfume, deodorant, lotion, fabric softener, detergent?
• A change in the taste of the milk: Have you eaten anything with a strong flavor? Have you recently had mastitis? Could you possibly be pregnant? These could all change the taste of breastmilk.
• A change in milk flow: If your milk supply is decreasing, your baby may be getting frustrated trying to increase the flow, and may just refuse to do so (leading to an even lower supply).
• A dramatic reaction from mom while baby was at the breast: If your baby bit you and you reacted strongly, or if you were speaking loudly or arguing with other family members while nursing, your baby may go on strike.
• More frequent use of pacifiers or bottles: A baby with nipple preference may just decide the breast is too hard and the bottle much easier.
• Stress: Do you have extra company at home, have you been traveling, have you just moved to a new home, or are you amidst a family crisis? Is your baby just overstimulated? Are there simply too many exciting distractions for your baby to be bothered with stopping to nurse?
• Developmental milestones: Some experts think when baby is concentrating on a new skill like crawling, standing or walking, eating sometimes takes a back seat.

Your baby will still need to eat during this crisis. Offer your breast often, but be nonchalant if he doesn’t nurse. Don’t force breast feedings – you want to keep the breast a safe relaxing place for baby. If your baby starts to get upset while you’re trying, feed him another way and try again at the next feeding to get him to latch and nurse.

You can use bottles, if you’d like, though you want to make it as much like breastfeeding as possible by practicing paced feeding and using a slow flow nipple. If you want to avoid using a bottle, try giving milk in a cup or syringe, or with a spoon or eye dropper. If baby will latch at all, you might be able to use a nursing supplementer to keep the flow of milk steady. You will need to pump or hand express milk as often as your baby would be feeding in order to avoid a drop in milk supply, plugged ducts or mastitis.

Getting your baby back to the breast will take patience and persistence. Other tips and tricks include:

• Spend time skin-to-skin, offer lots of extra cuddling, increase attention
• Wear your baby in a sling or wrap
• Take a bath with your baby
• Nurse when your baby is drowsy, or even when he’s sleeping
• Pump for a couple of minutes before offering the breast to get milk flowing
• Change up your positioning, or nurse in motion (walking, swaying, rocking)
• Try feeding in a quiet, dim room without any distractions, turn off the television and any music, put your phone away
• If your baby has a stuffy nose, use saline drops or breastmilk in the nose before feeding, and try clearing his airway with a nasal aspirator
• If teething pain is the culprit, offer something cold for baby to chew right before a feeding. Pain relievers are also an option

While a nursing strike can be challenging, it’s only temporary. Expect getting baby back to the breast to be a slow process. Don’t get discouraged. Most babies return to the breast and go on happily nursing as if nothing ever happened.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Although breastfeeding is a great way to give your baby the nutrients he needs, at some point you’ll decide it’s time to wean your baby. If you are wondering when you should consider weaning your little one, you’re the best judge of when the time is right.

Keep in mind, doctors usually recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months and continuing to nurse even after introducing solids for at least the first year of your baby’s life. But there is no hard and fast rule that you have to wean your baby by her first birthday. If you and your baby are both still comfortable breastfeeding, continue to do so.

But in some cases, you may feel both you and your baby are ready to wean. Your baby may show signs she is losing interest in nursing. For example, if she acts indifferent or cranky when nursing, she may be giving you a hint. In some instances, when babies start to eat solid foods, they may naturally nurse less. Also, after a year, if your milk supply is decreasing or nursing is becoming increasingly difficult to juggle with work, you may feel ready to wean.

When you do decide the time is right, it’s important to wean your baby slowly. If you wean too quickly, it can lead to engorgement. It can also be traumatic for your baby to wean cold turkey, and he may resist taking a bottle or cup of milk.

To make the transition smoother, slowly taper off. For example, drop a feeding or nurse for less time during each feeding. See how your baby reacts to a gradual decrease in nursing. Consider weaning to the point of only nursing at bedtime.

The amount of time it takes to completely wean your baby varies. Some babies don’t seem to mind the change and quickly make the switch while others may take a bit more time. Be patient and follow your babies lead.

Keep in mind, if you’re weaning your baby before the age of one, switch from breastmilk to formula. After the age of one, you can slowly introduce your baby whole milk. Whether you want to give your baby a bottle or cup is up to you.

You may feel a little bittersweet about weaning your baby. While it will be nice to get your body back, you might miss nursing and that special time with your little one. It’s also normal to feel a little nostalgic about your baby growing up. But a big part of parenting is learning to let go of each stage and embrace the next one.

written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

It’s exciting when your baby first tries solid foods for the first time. Many parents look forward to seeing how their baby reacts to the new flavors and textures of solid food. If you’re just starting this journey with your baby, you’re probably keen to discover the best way of doing things. If you’ve decided to feed your baby purees some or all of the time, you may be wondering which type is best. Should you be making your own purees at home or is it ok to buy ready made ones from the store?

Store bought purees

Store bought purees are convenient. You don’t need to spend time in the kitchen pureeing up a storm. You can also rely on the fact that the food will be available at supermarkets across the country, so there’s no need to panic about finding something your baby will eat. Store bought purees have long shelf lives and can be stored for a long time, meaning you don’t need to worry about running out.

There are some downsides with using store bought purees, however. They tend to include preservatives and may even include salt or sugar, things that you probably wouldn’t include when making your own purees at home. One research study found that store bought purees contained half as many nutrients as ones made at home. It’s also a lot pricier than creating your own purees at home.

Homemade purees

If you’re making the purees yourself at home, you know exactly what’s going into them. You can leave out any sugar and salt, and include only healthy, wholesome ingredients in your baby’s food. It also allows you to choose the produce going into the puree, so you’ll know that all of the ingredients were fresh at the time of cooking. Homemade purees are a lot cheaper because you simply buy the raw ingredients and can cook in batches and freeze. It also leaves you with more choice, there are only so many different flavors of store bought purees, but you can continue to experiment at home.

It’s not all good, you’ll need to consider the extra time it will take you to make purees at home. You might also need to purchase some new kitchen gadgets to begin with, pushing up your costs. Homemade purees don’t keep for as long, even if frozen.

There is no right answer

As with any parenting decision, there is no right decision here. How you decide to feed your baby is dependent on lots of things. You’ll need to consider time, convenience and cost. There isn’t a one size fits all approach to weaning because every baby, and every family, is different. You need to work out what works best for your family.

What are your baby’s favorite puree flavors?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

New parents are tired, always. As a breastfeeding mother, you may be finding the exhaustion even more of a struggle. After all, you’re likely to be the one awake with a hungry baby at 3am. Your baby probably goes through periods of frequent night wakings, and during these phases, you’re likely to feel like a zombie. It’s no wonder that so many parents are attracted to the idea of night weaning. When you start feeling bone-achingly sleep-deprived, you’ll probably be willing to do absolutely anything to get just a few more hours of sleep each night. Here are five tips to help you get to grips with night weaning:

1. Set realistic expectations

I know, you wanted a baby who would sleep through from day 1 and that is certainly not what you got. It’s important to remember, however, that young babies aren’t really designed to sleep through the night. In fact, there are plenty of benefits to night feeds, though it may not seem that way at 2am. As your baby grows older, however, he may be ready to sleep for longer stretches during the night. Don’t forget, though, night weaning doesn’t necessarily guarantee that your child will wake less frequently, it just means you won’t be able to boob her back to sleep if she does wake.

2. Be gentle

Night weaning doesn’t need to be a difficult transition for your baby, there are ways to stop night feeds without your child becoming upset. To achieve this, you’ll need to take your time and tread gently. Follow your child’s cues and look out for signs that things are moving too quickly for her.

3. Provide other sleep cues

To prepare your child for night weaning, you’ll need to create other cues to help your child fall asleep each night. This could be a piece of music played softly in the background or the presence of a particular toy or comforter. You’ll need to introduce it at bedtime for a month or so before you plan to start night weaning. This will help your child associate the new cue with sleep, so that when you stop breastfeeding, your child will still have a sleep aid at her disposal. After four weeks, you can try guiding your child back to sleep with the sleep aid instead of the breast.

4. Keep feeding in the day

Keep breastfeeding on demand during the day, this will help to ensure your child continues to get enough breast milk. You may find that your baby wants to feed more often during the day when you begin night weaning, this is normal and should settle down as your child adjusts to the change.

5. Expect setbacks

This is one thing parents always have to be prepared for. No matter what stage your child is at, there will always be moments of regression. Regression is a normal part of child development. If your child is feeling unwell or about to take a huge developmental leap, you may find that the night wakings increase. Unfortunately, this is something you can’t avoid. These regressions won’t last forever, though. In just a couple of days or weeks, your child will be back to her usual self and you’ll be able to get some sleep again.

Are you thinking of night weaning your baby?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Pretty soon, your baby is chomping down on strawberries, steamed carrots and sweet potato mash like there’s no tomorrow. Like many parents, you may be wondering how this will affect his milk intake. Should you offer fewer milk feeds throughout the day or do you continue to prioritize milk feeds? How can you make sure your baby is getting the right amount of both milk and solid food?

When your baby first starts enjoying solid food, he may not really be eating as much as you think. Ever wondered why there’s so much food smushed into the high chair and so much soup in his hair by the end of lunchtime? That’s because mealtimes at this age are more about playing than eating. Your baby is exploring food the only way he knows how – messy play!

Aside from the obvious problem of your food-covered dining room floor, this leaves many parents wondering whether their child has eaten enough. Remember, for the first year of your baby’s life, breast or formula milk is the most important part of your baby’s diet. Around the time of your child’s first birthday, he will start to rely on milk less and will be eating a greater variety of foods.

Breastfed babies

If your baby is breastfed, you should continue to offer feeds throughout the day. In fact, you should make sure your baby has been fed recently at each mealtime because this will mean he’s happy to play with his food for longer. It takes babies a while to understand that solid food can fill their tummies, so it’s best to introduce solid food to a baby who isn’t in the midst of a hangry rage.

As your baby consumes more solid food, you will probably notice that he asks for less frequent or shorter milk feeds throughout the day. Follow your baby’s lead on this one, remember your baby is the best judge of whether he has had too much or too little to eat.

Formula fed babies

Formula fed babies drink, on average, 900ml of formula milk a day at six months old. By the time your baby is eating a good mix of solid foods, his milk intake will probably decrease to around 600ml a day. These numbers are averages so don’t worry too much if your baby is consuming more or less than this.

Regardless of whether your baby is breast or formula fed, milk should still make up a decent chunk of his daily intake of calories. Breast and formula milk are specially formulated to meet your baby’s needs. Formula and breast milk are rich in nutrients and an essential part of your baby’s diet for at least the first year of his life.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Now that your baby is starting to experiment with food, you might be keen to give him a little more independence. Don’t worry, it’s not time to hand over the car keys just yet, but perhaps he’s ready to take control of what he eats. Finger foods allow your baby to feed himself and decide what and how much he eats from his tray.

What are the benefits to finger foods?

Your baby knows when he’s full, and giving him control of the food he eats reduces the risk of overeating. Babies are tiny scientists and are constantly learning about and exploring their environments. Using finger foods allow your baby to discover not just the taste, but the texture and color of different foods. Try not to worry about how much your baby eats at mealtimes. At this stage, lunch is about much more than just eating. After all, what kind of scientist would your baby be if he didn’t smush carrot into his eyebrows, throw some on the floor and hide some in his diaper? Exactly, he’d be a laughing stock.

Fun & Easy Finger Foods

If you’re used to pureeing, the switch to finger foods might have left you lacking in inspiration. Fear not, there are plenty of nutritious and delicious finger foods out there for your baby. Here are just ideas for you to try:

1. Fruit

Fruit is easy, delicious and packed full of vitamins. There are lots of different fruits so there’s no need for your baby to tire of eating fruit. Melon, banana, and mango can easily be cut into small slices that will fit perfectly in your baby’s palm. Fruits such as blueberries, cranberries and pomegranate seeds are great for helping your baby to develop his pincer grip. Some fruits pose a danger of choking, especially grapes, apple and pineapple, so always chop up food correctly before giving it to your child. Grapes must be cut in half lengthways to avoid choking.

2. Vegetables

You can’t go wrong with vegetables. In fact, if you give your baby the freedom to explore and play with vegetables now, you may find you have less ‘eat your vegetables’ battles in the future. Vegetables can be cut into chip shapes and steamed. Steamed vegetables contain more vitamins than boiled or fried vegetables. For a change, you could also try roasting them. Carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, butternut squashes, broccoli and courgette are all good vegetables for finger foods. Be careful with raw vegetables, like carrots, as it can pose a danger of choking. Always chop up food correctly before giving it to your child.

3. Dips

Using dips can also add some extra nutrition into your baby’s diet whilst allowing him to improve his hand-eye coordination. Hummus, salsa, baba ganouj, and lentil dips are just some of the dips you can offer your baby. Be wary of shop bought dips which may contain high levels of salt and added sugar. It’s always best to whip up a healthy dip at home if you can. Steamed vegetables, rice cakes and cooled slices of pitta bread are good for dipping.

4. Smaller foods

As your baby’s hand-eye coordination improves and he masters his pincer grip, it’s worth experimenting with smaller foods. Black beans, chick peas, peas, sweetcorn and blueberries are small enough for your baby to pick up once he’s got the hang of using his thumb and index finger to grab small objects. It might take a while for your baby to get hold of them, but remember it’s good practice and will aid the development of his fine motor skills.

5. Pasta

Pasta always makes for a great photo opportunity, though you should expect your baby to be covered from head to toe in pasta sauce before the end of the meal. Run a bath in advance so you can clean your baby straight after the meal. Pasta comes in all shapes and sizes, giving your baby ample opportunity to develop his skills. Fill the pasta sauce with vegetables and your baby will be getting plenty of vitamins and minerals too.

6. Curry

Some parents choose to avoid strong flavors thinking they will be too much for babies, but in fact, babies have quite adventurous palettes. He might not be ready for a vindaloo just yet, but you could try him with a gentler curry. Lentil dahls, mixed vegetables curries and kormas are all great options. Make sure there are plenty of vegetables in the sauce so your baby is enjoying a varied diet, and opt for whole wheat rice.

7. Sugar free fruit flapjacks

You don’t need to add sugar to make flapjacks taste good. Coconut oil is high in fat which is great for brain development, and will add a sweet flavour to the flapjacks. Add in some mushed up banana, raisins, dried cranberries and oats and you have yourself a simple, healthy flapjack.

To avoid choking, always chop up food correctly before giving it to your child. It’s advised to cut food lengthways in small strips. Cut soft food into thin slices or small pieces—no larger than one-half inch (1⁄2”). Cut soft, round foods, like hot dogs or string cheese, into short strips rather than round pieces.

What are your baby’s favorite finger foods?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.