Baby-led weaning can be fun and exciting, but also overwhelming. We've cut the jargon and simplified the need-to-know information to help you see success.

Whether you're puree weaning or trying baby-led weaning, this need-to-know weaning guide will get you ready for anything your baby throws at you (and we mean this quite literally). Our guide includes expert health advice on when and how to start weaning your baby safely, plus a few top tips from parents who've done it before.

So before you snap up one of the best highchairs or treat yourself to a trusty baby food maker, take the time to sit down and swat up on the basics and see what the next 12 months have in store.

When should I start baby weaning?

Parents can safely start baby-led weaning after their child has turned six-months-old. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises you feed your baby milk for the first 6 months after birth. After this stage, infants can begin a diet which combines solid food and breast milk or formula.

Baby-led weaning generally begins after six months, as by this point in your child's development, their digestive system is ready to cope with solid foods and they'll start needing the extra nutrients and iron that breastfeeding or bottle-feeding can't provide.

Whilst six months is the age universally recomended by experts, some parents may start weaning as early as four or five months old - but this is only to be done after consulting a health professionals' advice.

Your baby may start grabbing at your food and try to eat it themselves, which is a clear sign that they're ready. Babies with older siblings often start weaning earlier as they see the family eating together and want to join in.

Though early weaning is acceptable, the NHS clearly states that you should never start weaning your baby before 17 weeks old. They explain that starting them on solids before this age "is associated with greater risk of infectious illness in infants."

If ever in doubt, speak to your local GP, midwife or Family Practitioner.

What are the risks of starting baby weaning too early?

Weaning your baby too early can risk choking and lead to constipation or digestion problems. If your baby isn't ready or interested in food, it may also become a struggle to feed them and make the weaning process more stressful than it needs to be.

"You don’t want to offer food when baby isn’t quite ready and end up displacing your baby’s milk, which is very important for them especially at a younger age," Charlotte Stirling-Reed tells Goodto, Joe Wicks' trusted Wean in 15 nutritionist and author of How to Wean Your Baby.

"Their digestive and immune system also need to be ready. That's not something you can necessarily tell as a parent. That's why it’s ideal to wait until around six months and to look out for signs of readiness."

Babies do not develop enough of the enzyme salivary amylase, which enables their body to convert starch to sugar and access the food's energy, until their fifth or six months. If babies are weaned too early they cannot absorb enough nutrients. This could lead to digestive disturbances like diarrhoea or stomach cramps which keep them awake at night.

When is my baby ready for solids? The 3 signs

1. Sit and hold their head and neck steady
2. See food, pick it up and bring it towards their mouth. This demonstrates hand-eye coordination
3. Swallow more food than they spit out.

"You want to see all three signs happening at the same time on multiple occasions," advises Charlotte. "Not just a one off."

Every baby is different, but you shouldn't assume that a hungrier-than-usual baby means it's time to wean. If you're worried about slow weight gain or think your baby seems ready for solids earlier than six months, discuss this with your health visitor or GP before you begin. This is especially important if you're a parent to a premature baby.

What are the three stages of weaning?

Stage 1: about 6 months

"Try and think about weaning as a journey for you both," says baby nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed. "There is no right and wrong so try to approach it with excitement and exploration, rather than being nervous or taking it too seriously."

Guidance from the AAP says when beginning your weaning journey it's important to "expose baby to a wide variety of healthy foods" and to also "offer a variety of textures".

How much your baby eats during the first stage is not important at this stage, states the NHS. It's essentially about intoducing them to food and teaching them "how to move solid food around their mouth, chew, and swallow solid foods." 

"There will be days when they eat more, some when they eat less, and then days when they reject everything. Don’t worry – this is perfectly normal. Be patient and keep offering a variety of foods, even the ones they don’t seem to like, and let them get used to it in their own time."

• READ MORE: Baby food meal planner: weaning at 6-7 months

Stage 2: 6 to 9 months

As you enter step 2 of weaning, your baby will begin working up to eating 3 meals a day. However, each baby is different and will get to this point when they are ready.

We say meals at this point, as during step 2, babies will be able to move on from single ingredient meals to ones which mix a variety of foods. Baby weaning food company Babease says you want to stick to combining foods from the four main food groups: fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates, protein and dairy.

Some parents have a habit of getting "very excited" and can innocently end up giving babies too much food too quickly. This should be avoided, says Parent & Baby Coach Heidi Skudder, who boasts 18 years in the business. 

"It can sometimes mean the baby’s digestive system becomes overloaded very quickly. Which in turn can lead to a grumpy constipated baby who ends up waking up more than they did before starting weaning," she tells us.

"I always advise clients to take it slowly, one new food every few days. I also recommend keeping a food diary to track if your baby has any reactions at all."

You can also make the baby-led weaning process more natural in step two by eating alongside your baby and making this a routine for the rest of the process. "They will learn so much about how and what to eat from watching you," explains nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed.

When your little one reaches seven or eight months they'll need 500-600ml or a pint of milk in addition to solids. This should continue until their first birthday.

• READ MORE: Baby food meal planner: weaning at 7-9 months

Stage 3: 9 to 12 months

Entering the final weaning stage, your baby should be enjoying 3 meals a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner - in addition to their milk feeds. Textures continue to be encouraged during stage 3, particularly foods that require chomping, which helps develop their biting and chewing skills.

If they're not quite at the 3 meal stage, don't fret. Nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed reminds parents of the bigger picture.

"If you remember one thing about weaning and feeding children in general, remember that their appetites are always up and down," she tells us. "This is normal. Try not to analyse each meal, and look at what your little one eats over a week instead."

It's important to keep milk feeds up during stage three, despite their food intake. The NHS recommends about 3 milk feeds a day at this age (e.g. after breakfast, after lunch and before bed).

According to Babease, you want to view milk as a "snack between meals" which contributes to your child's energy levels and nutrient intake.

• READ MORE: Baby food meal planner: weaning at 9-12 months

How should I start baby weaning?

You want to start off slowly - according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. "Start solid feedings (1 or 2 tablespoons) of iron-fortified infant rice cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, stirred to a thin consistency," their advice states.

"Once the infant is eating rice cereal regularly, you may introduce other iron-fortified instant cereals."

You can also try a single fruit or veg puree on your finger or on a soft-tip weaning spoon and give your baby a little taster every few days.

You can then build up slowly over the next few weeks, offering your baby a few spoonfuls of combined fruit and veg purees once a day, then twice a day and then up to three times a day when your baby is ready.

Do this in addition to your baby's usual milk feeds until they're established on three meals a day.

What equipment do I need to start weaning?

What time of day should I start weaning?

According to baby sleep coach Heidi Skudder there is "no right or wrong time" of day to start weaning. "I tend to find most babies are receptive to foods late morning, after their milk feed. But before they go down for another nap," she tells us.

Start your first weaning whenever you have time to prepare food and then sit with your baby. This may be breakfast, or busy families might prefer lunchtime when other children are out at school. Start with one regular meal time and then build up your weaning slowly as your baby's hunger and interest increases naturally.

Do's and don'ts for starting baby weaning:

• Enjoy it. Find a time when you and your baby are both relaxed to make the process of starting weaning easier.
• Sit comfortably. Sit facing your baby without leaning forward to protect your lower back.
• Plan ahead. Use our baby weaning meal plans and stock your freezer up. Keep basics like tomato sauce, stews, curries or purees in the freezer so you can prepare dinner quickly.
• Put a small amount on the spoon to start with so your baby can easily fit it in their mouth.
• Keep it varied. Try a variety of vegetables (cooked and raw) to keep the meal colourful, interesting and nutritious.
• Keep it simple. Don't spend hours preparing dinner every day. You'll only get disheartened if most of it ends up on the floor. Babies can also get overwhelmed if there's too much variety in front of them. So aim for three to five flavours maximum when starting to wean your baby.
• Let them eat what you eat. When you're cooking your own dinner, syphon off a portion for the baby (without any salt or sugar). It's more convenient, and it means they'll be used to your cooking as they get older.
• Be creative. Most babies will happily eat herbs and spices (within moderation!) so introduce interesting flavours early on. A drizzle of olive oil, chopped herbs, roasted spices, or a squish of lemon juice make vegetables taste much better.
• Eat with your baby. Babies will enjoy mealtimes more if they feel like they're part of something. Try to eat at least one meal with your baby so they can watch and learn.
• Give them encouragement. Smile, laugh and congratulate your baby when they put food in their mouths or take the puree. Children enjoy positive reinforcement and it makes them more likely to do it again.

What to avoid when baby weaning

• Don't force your baby to eat if they turn their head away or keep their mouth shut. Don't take their refusal personally.
• Never put food in the baby's mouth when they are laughing or yawning. They won't be ready for it and they could choke.
• Don't take all day over it. Allow 20 minutes to half an hour for feeding time when you get started with baby weaning. Your baby will learn that is sufficient time to eat their meals.
• Don't worry. When you first start weaning your baby will be drinking milk for all their nutrients. Consequently, both you and your baby have time to learn how to feed and eat together without worrying about eating enough to begin with.

Top weaning tips from real parents:

'My best tip is to freeze everything! I have a drawer in our freezer especially for Finlay's food so it's easy to see what I have, ready for his lunches and tea.' Glenda, 32, mum of Finlay aged 8 and a half months old

'Sam loved bananas but after I fed him them for the first time, his stools were filled with what looked like little black worms. Don't worry if this happens to you - they're just banana fibres. Phew! Jenny Bounsall, mum of Sam aged 10 months old

'When I started weaning my baby, I found that steamed fruit and veg, rather than boiled, made the tastiest meals. I loved the baby food mill for turning Sam's meals into textured purees which weren't too smooth or too lumpy.' Jenny Bounsall, mum of Sam aged 10 months old

'I found Baby-led Weaning much easier than pureeing. I went straight into sharing our meals with both of my babies.' Sarah Graham posted this top tip on Facebook

'Sam would get restless and upset at meal times. When I gave him a spoon to play with or finger foods while I fed him, he was happy as Larry.' Jenny Bounsall, mum of Sam aged 10 months old

'I was really worried about feeding my baby healthily on a budget when we started weaning. Until I realised I qualified for Healthy Start vouchers for fruit, veg and milk too.' Angie, mum of Harry aged 11 months old

We spoke to the following parenting experts:

Video of the Week

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic measuring less than five millimetres. While many people don't worry about them in day-to-day life, new research suggests that they may actually be more common than we think.

So now people are looking for alternatives and wondering whether glass baby bottles would be a better, safer alternative to plastic.

This week, a new study from Trinity College Dublin revealed some alarming results. The research found that high levels of microplastics are released from polypropylene baby bottles as formula is being prepared, meaning that babies are consuming microplastics as they eat. It is thought that bottles made from the plastic, which is used in many types of kitchenware, release up to 16 million microplastics per litre of liquid. However, the release is made significantly worse when hot liquid is used inside the bottle. When the temperature increases from 25 to 95C, as often happens when boiling water is poured into the bottle during formula preparation, the number of microplastics released increases from 0.6 million to 55 million particles per litre. 

The findings were especially troubling as research conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) only last year suggested that adults would consume about 300 to 600 microplastics a day but the average values of this study were around the millions.

Taking on these findings, it could easily be applied away from baby formula and to adults' cooking as well. After all, many households store leftovers in plastic containers in the fridge and then use the microwave to heat them up the following day or alternatively, wash out their plastic containers with boiling water. So if microplastics have been in our systems for years, are they really so bad?

“When we saw these results in the lab we recognised immediately the potential impact they might have." Professor John Boland said, "The last thing we want is to unduly alarm parents, particularly when we don’t have sufficient information on the potential consequences of microplastics on infant health."

But he said, "I’ve already gotten rid of all those [plastic] containers I used to use and if I had young children I would modify how I prepare [milk formula],”

Professor Liwen Xiao at TrinityHaus and Trinity’s School of Engineering has also emphasised the need for more research into microplastics, as there is little information available on how they impact our health. “Our study indicates that daily use of plastic products is an important source of microplastic release, meaning that the routes of exposure are much closer to us than previously thought. We need to urgently assess the potential risks of microplastics to human health. Understanding their fate and transport through the body following ingestion is an important focus of future research."

Following the results of the study, there were some recommendations made to help prevent microplastics getting into the formula. These were to prepare hot water using a non-plastic kettle or cooker and to prepare infant formula in a non-plastic container using at least 70C water. Cool the beaker down to room temperature and then transfer the prepared formula into a high-quality plastic feeding bottle, if you choose not to switch to a glass one.

Plastic containers of all kinds made of polypropylene have been given the warning and users have been told not to reheat prepared formula (or food) in plastic containers and to avoid microwave ovens. They've also been told not to shake the container vigorously at any time and not to use sonic cleaning system to wash out the bottle.

So while there hasn't been specific advice to switch from plastic to glass bottles, the advantages are adding up.

What are the benefits of glass bottles over plastic?

The main advantage of having a glass bottle over a plastic one is the absence of these microplastics, which are currently having an unknown effect on infants' health. Glass bottles don’t contain plastic materials so there’s no chance of these fragments breaking off and entering the milk formula. 

But other benefits of glass baby bottles include: 

• They’re easier to clean: Glass doesn’t damage as easily as plastic, so doesn’t have tiny scratches that hold onto bacteria and other nasty residues. 
• You can heat them to a high temperature: Unlike plastic bottles which release microplastics when put under hot water, glass doesn’t so you can carry out full sanitisation with boiling water. 
• Smells and tastes better: As glass is easier to clean, it won’t hold onto the same residues that plastic does and so won’t give off unpleasant smells or tastes that transfer into the formula. 
• No need to buy a new breast pump: Despite what many people think, glass baby bottles are totally compatible with many modern breast pumps these days. 
• More durable: Unless they break, glass bottles are significantly more durable than plastic as they maintain their shape under pressure and won’t change colour or scratch. 

With this new research, it’s clear that the market for glass baby bottles will continue to skyrocket over the next few years. But many retailers already have a great stock of glass baby bottles as they've been recognised as a suitable alternative to plastic, especially for colic-y babies, for some years now. This is where you can buy some of the best ones...

Which glass baby bottles are best? 

Tommee Tippee glass bottles

Widely seen as some of the best glass baby bottles on the market, Tommee Tippee sells theirs on their website and easily on Amazon. Fans of the bottles say that they feel a lot sturdier and safer than plastic ones and following other research based around plastic bottles, have decided to make the switch. These are two of our favourites...

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Glass Newborn Feeding Set

If you've got a newborn or are just getting started with using glass bottles then this is a great set to buy. The bottles have a distinctive breast-like teat so baby won't know the difference between Mum and bottle as they make the transition, while the anti-colic valve reduces excessive air flow for colic-y babies. It also comes with a dummy, a cleaning brush and two spare tops. The newborn feeding set is also £5 off in October!

VIEW HERE

Tommee Tippee Baby Bottle Glass 250ml

For those looking to exchange their plastic for glass, this one bottle pack should do the trick. It's compact and easy for adults to hold, while also being completely safe for the little one as like all other Tommee Tippee glass bottles, it's BPA free and doesn't have any phthalates or toxins. It also comes with the anti-colic value and breast-like teat. Parents with babies who have trouble sleeping have also said that this bottle is the only one that their babies will latch onto in the night.

VIEW HERE

NUK First Choice Glass Baby Bottle

You can also pick up a starter-kit from NUK if you're new to glass bottles. Much like the Tommee Tippee, this one comes with an anti-colic air system and supports breast to bottle feeding with the extra wide lip. The bottle can also be recycled after you're done with it and the latex teats are biodegradable. Ideal for those aged 0 to 6 months old.

VIEW HERE

Lansinoh Glass Baby Bottle

This bottle has been designed with travel in mind. When baby and mum are apart or together, the Lansinoh glass baby bottle has been designed to replicate a mother's teat and encourage the baby to feed. Especially now it's £2 off in October, it's one of the most affordable glass baby bottle options out there.

VIEW HERE

Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle

While the Lifefactory glass baby bottle might be more expensive than the others, we like it because it comes with a shatter-proof casing around it. Available in a wide range of colours, the silicone protection will ensure that however many bumps on the floor the bottle gets, it won't shatter.

VIEW HERE

So there's plenty of options to swap out plastic for glass with these top picks of the best glass baby bottles out there.

Weaning your baby onto solids should get underway in earnest at around six months, according to the NHS, and once your little one gets a taste for baby rice, mushed up banana and more you’ll be surprised at just how quickly their appetites can develop.

And just like us grown ups, when children feel that familiar stomach growl and don’t have a snack on hand to satisfy, they can make the jump from hungry to hangry in an instant.

The reason? After a period of hunger – yep, 10 minutes post polishing off a bowl of porridge counts in baby time – blood sugar levels can start to dip causing a surge in hormones including cortisol, known as the stress hormone, and adrenaline, also known as the ‘fight or flight’ hormone.

“Babies get hangry in the same way adults do,” explains infant nutrition specialist and co-founder of baby food brand Piccolo Alice Fotheringham.

“In fact, babies can go from hungry to hangry much quicker than adults because their tummies are so small. A hangry baby can be stressful for both baby and parent, but there are other ways to make sure it doesn’t get to that point.”

Below Alice reveals her top tips for keeping baby hanger at bay.

1) Spot the warning signs

Babies aren’t afraid to show when they’re unhappy and if they go from giggling to a shrill cry and furiously chomping on their fists or sucking on their fingers, hunger could be the cause.

2) Keep milk on the menu

“When parents start weaning their babies onto solids they often start to use milk as a sideline, but actually in the first year of a baby’s development, food is more about exploration and learning rather than nutrition,” says Alice.

“It’s important parents don’t take milk away too soon. Just because babies are showing an interest in different types of food during the weaning process, it doesn’t mean milk becomes less important.

“A teaspoon of breastmilk or formula is more nutrient dense than for example a teaspoon of carrots, and because babies ingest milk quicker it satisfies a hangry baby much more effectively than food. Being organised with milk can be the secret to targeting hanger.”

READ MORE: Baby weaning guide: Everything you need to know about weaning your baby

3) Make more, for fewer meltdowns

“Preparation is key. If you’re at home I recommend cooking extra vegetables from your own dinner and leaving them unseasoned, but maybe drizzling with a little olive oil for some good fats which keep babies full. Then, you can store the vegetables in the fridge overnight in some Tupperware and have them on-hand to keep your baby busy when hanger strikes,” Alice continues.

“You can also cook some extra pasta and keep it in the fridge, and it’s not as messy as something like yoghurt.”

Warning! Stage 3 of baby weaning is a messy business. It's all about letting your baby get to grips with feeding themselves by giving them a spoon to hold while you're feeding them or letting them get their hands dirty with finger foods. 

Whether you choose weaning or baby-led weaning, know that this is a messy part of growing. You might wans to put down newspaper or a splash matt to avoid ruining your carpet and invest in a pelican bib to help catch spills, then let them have their fun - it's all part of the learning process. Fussy eaters are common at this stage and they can be especially picky about lumps and certain foods.

Towards the end of this stage, your baby's meal should be finely chopped instead of being mashed. Once babies reach their first birthday, they can start eating family meals but keep salt and sugar to a minimum. You can also use honey but beware of allergies as honey has been linked to infant botulism (an illness that can occur when a baby ingests bacteria that produce a toxin inside the body).

It's important at this stage in your child's development to make sure they're getting the same nutrients as yourself. 'Eat the rainbow' is a great way to look at their daily diet. Make sure they're eating a variety of fruit and veg as well and protein based foods to build up strength and energy levels.

Baby food meal planner weaning 9 - 12 months

Click to download, print and keep your meal planner - it'll look great on the fridge!

All of the recipes in the meal planner above can be found in our baby food recipes collection including berry eggy bread, banana porridge, turkey puree, apple chicken balls and more.

Other recipes featured in the meal plan:

• Scrambled eggs with toast fingers
• Annabel Karmel's chicken apple balls 
• Annabel Karmel's pasta shells with salmon and broccoli
• Annabel Karmel's veggie burgers
• Annabel Karmel's fruity chicken curry
• Family lentil stew
• Steamed salmon, spinach and potato 

Important: Offer water with every meal and throughout the day to avoid constipation in babies. This meal plan has no measurements as it varies baby to baby. Feed according to your baby's needs and cues. Each day contains at least 3 portions each of carbohydrates, fruit and veg, 2 portions of protein and some dairy. Morning and evening milk feeds are not included on this planner but should still be offered.

Every baby is different and this meal planner should only be used as a guide. Always go at your baby's pace and never force feed them. If you're worried about your baby's weight or have any questions, ask your health visitor.

We love hearing from you and if you have any brilliant weaning tips or advice for other moms, let us know by commenting below.

Related features:

• Baby food meal planner: Weaning at 6 - 7 months
• Baby food meal planner: Weaning at 7 - 9 months
• Baby-led weaning intimidated me - so here’s everything I did to make it that little bit easier
• Best baby-led weaning foods - how to serve them safely and what type of foods to avoid

Video of the Week

All babies are different, some will have sprouted a couple of teeth by now and some won't have any yet.

Either way, now is the time to get your baby used to a few lumps and bumps for stage two of baby weaning, remember it's always okay to introduce some baby-led weaning tactics too during this journey.

Try using a baby food mill or masher instead of a baby food maker to blend your baby's meal to a smooth puree. If feeding your baby lumpier meals isn't going smoothly and your heart skips a beat every time they gag or choke on another spoonful, go back to pureeing your baby's meal and try a lumpy version again in a couple of days time.

As your baby becomes hungrier you can add snacks and even desserts to their 3-meals-a-day diet. Snacks and desserts are a great way for your baby to experiment with new foods and you can use them to add more dairy, grains, fruits and vegetables to your baby's day. And if your baby's teething they'll love our banana yogurt pops to help cool their gums.

Some babies will naturally eat more or less than others and you should never force feed your baby, but there's no harm in offering extra snacks and desserts incase they're having a hungry day.

This is the perfect stage in your child's development for them to experiment with different textures of food, tastes, color. Of course, all babies progress at different stages so don't feel down-hearted if your little one takes longer to eat the lumps and bumps. They'll soon get the hang of it!

Baby food meal planner 7 - 9 months

Click to download, print and keep your baby food meal planner 7 - 9 months - it'll look great on the fridge!

All of the recipes in the baby food meal planner 7 - 9 months above can be found in our baby food recipes collection including apple sauce, banana porridge, turkey puree, jacket potato ideas and more.

Other recipes featured in the baby food meal planner 7 - 9 months:

• Annabel Karmel's chicken apple balls
• Chicken in broth (take out the noodles if preferred)
• Scrambled eggs with toast fingers
• Annabel Karmel's haddock and spinach pasta bake
• Annabel Karmel’s pasta shells with salmon and broccoli

Important: When weaning offer water with every meal and throughout the day, otherwise they might get baby constipation. Each day contains at least 3 portions each of carbohydrates, fruit and veg, 2 portions of protein and some dairy. Morning and evening milk feeds are not included on this planner but should still be offered. This meal plan has no measurements as it varies baby to baby. Feed according to your baby's needs and cues.

Every baby is different and this baby food meal planner 7 - 9 months should only be used as a guide. Always go at your baby's pace and never force feed them. If you're worried about your baby's weight or have any questions, ask your health visitor.

Teaching your baby to chew

During this stage in your child's development it's important to encourage and teach them how to chew properly. Baby-safe objects such as chewing toys, teething rings etc. are a great way to encourage this, especially when your little one starts teething - they'll naturally want to bite.

Another way to encourage the chewing notion is to play face games to build up their jaw muscles. Get them smiling and pulling funny faces to work their jaw muscles. Opening and closing their mouths is a great way of doing this.

Related features:

• Baby food meal planner: Weaning at 6 - 7 months
• Baby food meal planner: Weaning at 9 - 12 months
• Baby-led weaning intimidated me - so here’s everything I did to make it that little bit easier
• Best baby-led weaning foods - how to serve them safely and what type of foods to avoid

Video of the Week

Baby weaning is new and exciting for both you and baby - but be ready that it may take them a few weeks to get used to solids, so build up slowly.

If you've chosen weaning over baby-led weaning know that once baby becomes interested at around 6-and-a-half to 7 months, you may want to invest in a baby food maker and use this baby food meal planner to plan your baby's meals and feed them a variety of nutritious and tasty purees in addition to their usual milk feeds. 

Some parents can find weaning intimidating so this plan also suggests finger foods for moms keen on getting their babies to feed themselves, so print it out and stick it on your fridge and you won't even need to think about which meal comes next. Our baby food meal planners are also designed to reassure you throughout each stage. Every baby is different and this meal planner should only be used as a guide. Always go at your baby's pace and never force-feed them. If you're worried about your baby's weight or have any questions, ask your health visitor.

Baby food meal planner weaning 6 - 7 months

Click to download, print and keep your meal planner - it'll look great on the fridge!

All of the recipes in the baby food meal planner weaning 6 - 7 months above can be found in our baby food recipes collection including apple sauce, pear puree, turkey puree, squash puree and more.

Other recipes featured in the meal plan:

• Cod with root veg and rice
• Family lentil stew
• Steam salmon spinach and potatoes

Important: Offer cooled, boiled water with every meal and throughout the day. This meal plan has no measurements as it varies baby to baby. Feed according to your baby's needs and cues.

Your baby will eat as much solid foods as they need and at their own pace, so trust your little ones cues. Some babies are slow to the process, others will pick up it easily. Don't rush your child, take your time and pay attention to your baby's signs and reactions.

You should always feed your baby according to his needs and cues. Use this meal plan as a guideline and inspiration.

Related features:

• Baby food meal planner: Weaning at 7 - 9 months
• Baby food meal planner: Weaning at 9 - 12 months
• Baby-led weaning intimidated me - so here’s everything I did to make it that little bit easier
• Best baby-led weaning foods - how to serve them safely and what type of foods to avoid

Video of the Week

Joe Wicks has revealed plans to launch Wean in 15 - a new cookbook with recipes for babies and toddlers.

The fitness expert, also know as The Body Coach, took to social media to confirm that he will write the new healthy recipe book for little ones.

The title of the book is, of course, a twist on the name of his popular Lean in 15 recipes, which are centered around healthy eating and balanced nutrition - and take just 15 minutes to prepare.

On his Instagram stories, the healthy cook posted a picture of the book publisher Pan Macmillan offices, with the caption: ‘‘Meeting with my publisher to discuss my new book: #Weanin15’.

In the next story, he then posted a video that went on to explain the details of the book.

Alongside the caption ‘What is WEAN in 15? I’ve got a new book deal with my publisher. I’m calling one WEAN IN 15 with recipes for babies and toddlers’, he detailed the background of the new book in his video.

‘So for those of you asking what this Wean in 15 is all about,’ he started, ‘my brother Nikki said to me one day Joe you’ve got to do a baby book with healthy recipes for kids called Wean in 15.

Everything you need to know about weaning your baby

‘That was about 2 years ago so he had the idea,’ he continued.

‘I’ve got a new book deal it’s going to come out in 2020,’ he added, ‘it’s aimed at babies and toddlers.’

The 32-year-old, who got engaged to his partner Rosie Jones back in November, welcomed his first child with the former model last summer.

So the dad-of-one, who recently opened up about his daughter Indie’s unusual name, has presumably taken inspiration for the book from his home life.

The new release will also focus on healthy eating for the whole family, so mums and dads can make easy and nutritious meals for everyone to feast on.

It will feature 100 recipes aimed at how to healthily wean babies onto solid food, as well as exercises for time-pressed parents.

We can't wait to read it!

Baby-led weaning (BLW) or baby weaning is one of the choices parents face around the 6-month-old mark. 

This method is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, as it promotes healthy eating habits and encourages babies to explore different textures and flavors. According to Dr. Tanya Altmann, a pediatrician and author of Baby and Toddler Basics, “Offering nutrient-dense, soft, and easy-to-eat foods like avocado, sweet potato, and banana is a great way to start baby-led weaning.” Dr. Altmann also suggests cutting foods into small, easy-to-grasp pieces, and being patient as your baby learns to self-feed.

The method was originally created by UK-based Dr. Gill Rapley, a former health visitor, and midwife, whose research showed that babies were more than capable of deciding when to start solids all by themselves - provided they are given the opportunity. 

 What is baby-led weaning? 

Baby-led weaning is basically leaving food in front of your baby and allowing them to explore and eat what they fancy. This method allows your baby the autonomy to try different finger foods at their own pace, giving 6-month-old babies and older the chance to gain confidence, and independence when it comes to food.

The method is well-known in the UK, former health visitor and midwife Dr. Gill Rapley believes that BLW motivates a baby. In her BLW guidelines (2008) Dr. Rapley says; ‘This approach to the introduction of solids offers a baby the opportunity to discover what other foods have to offer as part of finding out about the world around him. It utilizes his desire to explore and experiment, and to mimic the activities of others. 

Dr Gill tells us; “Allowing the baby to set the pace of each meal, and maintaining an emphasis on play and exploration rather than on eating, enables the transition to solid foods to take place as naturally as possible. This is because it would appear that what motivates babies is curiosity, not hunger.”

Experts agree that BLW promotes healthy eating habits and helps babies develop important skills, such as hand-eye coordination and oral-motor control. According to pediatrician and author of ‘Feeding Baby Green’, Dr. Alan Greene, "BLW helps babies develop a healthy relationship with food, and allows them to explore and learn about different textures and flavors at their own pace."

Studies have also found that BLW can help prevent picky eating and promote a diverse diet. "When babies are exposed to a variety of flavors and textures early on, they are more likely to accept and enjoy different types of food as they grow up," says registered dietitian Heather Mangieri.

In addition to the developmental benefits, BLW can also make mealtime easier for parents. "With BLW, parents don't have to spend as much time spoon-feeding their babies, which can be a real time-saver," says Dr. Ari Brown, a pediatrician, and author. Overall, baby-led weaning is a safe and effective approach to introducing solid foods that can help babies develop healthy eating habits and skills. If you're considering BLW for your baby, talk to your pediatrician and do some research to ensure a successful transition to solid foods.

Baby-led weaning of weaning - what’s the difference?

The key difference between baby-led weaning and traditional weaning is the order the child learns to eat. If you start with purees and baby food, a baby will learn to swallow first which gradually develops into chewing, which can present problems when they are presented with more solid foods.

Critics of the method say baby-led weaning is messy and wasteful as the child will pick and choose a lot of foods and won’t eat everything you serve up. Babies can find it hard to chew on some finger foods, such as well-cooked meat, which is an important part of their diet.

A study conducted by researchers from the New Zealand's University of Otago looking at how dietary intake differs in infants who follow baby-led weaning found that while there were a number of positive impacts – including the fact that these babies were more likely to eat meals with their family – there were also less positive ones. Compared to babies who were spoon-fed the research found that these babies had lower intakes of iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.  However, according to American Academy of Pediatrics’ research, the potential perks of baby-led weaning include 

• Champions familiarity with a variety of textures and flavors. A number of studies have shown that babies who eat a variety of foods - including peanut products and fish, may be less likely to have food allergies later in life. Though always consult with your child’s pediatrician or your Health Visitor about how to best introduce nuts and seafood to your child’s diet as they are the most common childhood allergens
• Creates food autonomy. This can lead to better long-term appetite awareness. With spoon-feeding, the parent is in control. This could make babies eat faster and more than they need, which could lead to a habit of ignoring feelings of fullness. Baby-led weaning allows baby to self-regulate how much she eats based on her hunger levels. That could result in a lower chance of becoming overweight compared to children who are spoon-fed.
• Helps develop fine motor skills. Offering finger foods encourages the development of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination skills.
• A cheaper way to eat. As baby will essentially be eating a variation of what the family eats. 

With every pros list there's cons list and no feeding method is perfect. The downsides to baby-led weaning, are: 

• It can be messy. Giving food autonomy to an infant will be messy - if you’re considering this method, process this and come to terms with it now. especially those who are learning how to hang onto foods and get them into their mouths.
• Tricky to identify allergies. If there are allergy concerns in the family, some pediatricians may recommend introducing foods one at a time. This helps to pinpoint which food was the culprit. 
• Educate yourself on supplements. Baby-led weaning may require attention to iron levels. Breastfed babies get enough iron from breast milk until the baby is 4 months old — but levels can diminish at this point, so your doctor may recommend that your little one stays on an iron supplement through the first year as an added precaution. Where it can be hard for some babies to chew on many iron-rich foods. Mixing baby-led weaning with a spoon and puréed meat, green veggies, and fortified cereals can help fill the gap.
• Choking concerns. Giving babies certain solid foods, while exciting can be tinged with fears as it can be an overwhelming step for parents.

 When to start baby-led weaning?

The best time to start baby-led weaning is when baby is around 6 months old, Pediatric experts now recommend starting solid foods at 6 months. Not all babies are the same so there are also signs to look out for which show your baby is ready for this method; 

• Can sit up well and unaided
• Arms can reach for food
• Show significant head control

Research shows that 85% of infants gain these skills by 6-7 months and 96% have them by 7-8 months Most 6-month-old infants can grasp food, bring it to their mouth, chew and swallow. These skills mean babies can more independently feed themselves while weaning from human milk or formula nutrition.

While most babies will get the green light, those who have special needs and are unable to pick up and chew foods on their own might not be able to try baby-led weaning. Trust your instincts and look to your baby — some like taking the lead, while others don’t.

 How to start baby-led weaning? 

Prepare yourself, be ready with all the calm feelings, voice and body language. Prepare the space with the right high chair for your baby, any floor coverings if needed. Prepare the food, follow our tips below on what food to serve and how to keep it safe and fun. And, the best way to do it, is to just do it. 

In the US The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends feeding infants only breast milk for the first 6 months after birth up until 12 months, do do continue to do this along side baby-led weaning.

While continuing with breastmilk or formula, encourage your little one with a variety of nutritious finger foods that are suitable for their age. This is best done at dinner time when the rest of the family is eating. Watching you and others eat will entice them to try for themselves.

Stick with simple finger-shaped foods that they can easily grip in their hands. They might take to it quickly or they'll play around with foods, sucking or tasting. This is normal. Keep at it until they get more confident with their food. Recommended food for BLW includes cooked pieces of carrot, sweet potato, courgette, broccoli, potato, butternut squash, and apple. You can also give your little one raw foods too including pieces of banana, cucumber, peaches, avocado, pears, and melon.

Some parents like the best of both worlds and prefer to combine purees and add some finger foods too.

Never leave your baby unattended as there is a risk of gagging or choking. The gagging reflex is designed to move food away from your baby's airway, to the front of his mouth and he'll eventually spit the food out. Always be on hand to react if food goes down the wrong hole and he starts to choke. If you're worried, sign up for a free first aid guide  from St John Ambulance and learn how to deal with a choking baby.

 Safety tips for baby-led weaning 

It’s more than natural to be concerned with choking when it comes to baby-led weaning. As long as you’re prepped and knowledgeable on what to offer, how to offer, and understand the clear signs that a baby is choking, as well as what to do in that situation, all will be okay.

Gagging is common in baby-lead weaning, it’s a safety response as it’s the body’s way of stopping the food from going too far back in the throat. It’s not the same as choking. When babies gag it’s their body handling the problem itself, try to stay calm and let it pass. 

Baby-led weaning is safe if you are always present, you choose the right types of foods and you serve them in the right way. For Aisha's award-winning nutritionist, Priya Tew tells us: “Keep finger foods mushy and soft until you are sure they can manage, and never leave your little one unattended whilst eating. A little tip - cut up grapes and tomatoes into quarters. Remove the skins and pips.”

Studies into choking have come up with some helpful reminders;

• Cook and prepare food to the right shape, size, and texture for your child’s development
• Avoid small, sticky, or hard foods that are hard to chew and swallow
• Have your child sit up in a high chair while eating, no walking around
• Avoid letting your child eat in the car or stroller
• Keep mealtimes calm. Avoid distractions, disruptions, or rushing when eating
• Always pay close attention to what your child puts in their mouth
• Watch your child at all times while they’re is eating
• Be ready - Educate yourself on what to do if your child does choke

Best baby-led weaning foods

Your baby’s first finger foods should be soft enough for her to gum easily but firm enough to be cut into long, thick strips that she can easily grab. Foods that can’t be cut, like yogurt or oatmeal, can be served in clumps that your baby can rake, or maybe offer a preloaded spoon for them to lift to their mouth. As their confidence with solids grows and fine motor skills improve, you can start offering smaller pieces and slightly firmer textures.

• Soft Fruits: Soft fruits like ripe bananas, avocados, and peaches are great starter foods for babies. They're easy to digest and provide essential nutrients like potassium and healthy fats. Simply cut them into small, easy-to-hold pieces and let your baby explore.
• Cooked Vegetables: Cooked vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and green beans are nutritious and easy for babies to chew. Cut them into small, bite-sized pieces and let your baby practice picking them up and bringing them to their mouth.
• Toast: Toast is a great finger food for babies and provides a nice change in texture. Cut it into small pieces and let your baby experiment with spreading soft foods like avocado or peanut butter on top.
• Cheese: Cheese is a good source of calcium and protein and makes for a tasty snack for babies. Cut it into small cubes or shred it and let your baby explore the texture.
• Eggs: Scrambled eggs or omelets are a great source of protein for babies. Cut them into small pieces and let your baby practice picking them up with their hands.

According to Dr. Tanya Altmann, a pediatrician and author of Baby and Toddler Basics, “Offering nutrient-dense, soft, and easy-to-eat foods like avocado, sweet potato, and banana is a great way to start baby-led weaning.” Dr. Altmann also suggests cutting foods into small, easy-to-grasp pieces, and being patient as your baby learns to self-feed.

It's important to keep safety in mind when introducing solid foods to babies. Always supervise your baby during meal times and cut foods into small, safe sizes. Avoid hard, crunchy foods like raw carrots or popcorn, as they can be a choking hazard.

Dr. Stephanie Canale, a board-certified pediatrician and founder of Lactation Lab, recommends introducing a variety of foods to babies early on. “Studies have shown that the more diverse the diet, the better the gut health and overall immune system function,” says Dr. Canale.

Overall, the best foods to use first for baby-led weaning are soft, nutrient-dense foods that are easy for babies to chew and swallow. Remember to cut foods into safe sizes and always supervise your baby during meal times. With patience and persistence, baby-led weaning can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your baby.

 Tips for successful baby-led weaning - from parents 

• Invest in a big bib. Mum-of-twins Dionne tells us; “Initially, to keep it cheap, I used wipeable art smocks from IKEA. Though they weren’t waterproof and sometimes the girls would be sodden. So I eventually invested in actual long-sleeved weaning waterproof bibs.”  VIEW AT AMAZON, £14.99
• Start small. Dad-of-one, Lee tells us; “I noticed that if I put too much in front of Alf, he would barely touch it. My mum-in-law suggested just one or two bits of food with space in between and he wolfed them down. I think, like adults, too many choices can overwhelm.”
• No bowls or plates. Mum-of-four Louise soon learned not to worry about plates or bowls. “By baby number three,” she tells us; “I realized bowls just get thrown on the floor at the beginning. I would just place the food right on the table or high-chair tray, and let the party start.”
• Make it fun. Mum-of-two, Lisa tells us; “I used to worry that [my daughter] needs to learn that you don’t play with your food when really meals should be seen as curiosity-led playtime. A time when she explores different textures and experiments with tasting and chewing. Baby-led weaning is all about getting comfortable with various foods.”
• Make slippy foods easy to hold. Dad-of-one Mark tells us, being able to hold the food is a bonus, so I would wash the skins of banana and avocado - the slippery food groups - and help my son hold them while he ate.”
• Get the knowledge. Mum-of-one, Grace tells us that preparation was key when she started baby-led weaning. “I went with my three Ps. Preparation - I have everything to hand including helpful apps. Positive attitude - I stayed calm and positive as my baby looked to me to set the scene. And, Proactive - not reactive. I followed the rules, I didn’t cut corners on any of the expert advice.”
• Relax. Mum-of-two, Aisha tells us; “It took baby two before I started to chill out. I researched and realized my baby gets the nutrition she needs from the formula I still feed her in that first year, so I sat back and let her set the pace.” mpty list

One of the main points to remember when choosing BLW or the traditional weaning method is that success rates will vary from child to child. The most important thing to do is to be in touch with your baby’s needs and cues. Every baby is different and will develop at a different pace. Talk to your health visitor or GP before trying baby-led weaning especially if you have a family history of allergies, digestive problems, or food intolerances or if your baby has special needs or was born prematurely. 

Related Features:

• Baby food meal planner: weaning at 6-7 months
• Baby food meal planner: weaning at 7-9 months
• Baby food meal planner: weaning at 9-12 months

Video of the Week:

Getting to grips with how to bottle feed a newborn can take a bit of getting used to, which is why we've asked the experts for their advice.

It might sound simple, but there's a lot to consider when bottle feeding your baby, from whether you use breast milk or formula to what position you feed in - and you'll want to make sure you have some of the best bottles on hand to help you out too. Then there's the debate around breastfeeding or bottles, and if you choose the latter you'll want to know how to sterilize baby bottles too.

Goodto.com family editor Stephanie Lowe tells us; "When I had my son, the general advice was 'breast is best' and that was that, there wasn't much information for people interested in bottle feeding. For moms who decide not to breastfeed for whatever reason - and that decision is theirs alone to make - infant formula is a great alternative. Formula provides babies with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. And no one should be made to feel guilty when making the best choice for their baby and family."

How to bottle feed a newborn: Step-by-step guide

1. Baby bottles and equipment

You're going to need a selection of bottles and teats to last you through the many feeds of the day, as well as some sterilizing equipment to keep everything clean as your baby's immune system won't be as strong as an adults. Therefore, it's a good idea to invest in bottles that can be cleaned easily.

Doula Kicki Hansard adds: "You should use a bottle with a slow flow rate. This is because babies use a lot of muscles when they breastfed, which helps with the development of their jaws and dentition, but because bottle feeding involves using less muscles and the flow rate is quicker, babies can become used to this, meaning  when they are put back on the breast they don’t like that they need to work harder to get their food."

The flow rates of each teat refers to the size or number of holes in the tip, affecting how quickly milk flows into your baby’s mouth. Most baby bottle brands will tell you the flow rate somewhere on the teat - such as, 'preemie,' 'slow,' 'medium' or 'fast', while other brands give a flow rate number, such as 0, 1, 2 or 3 - there are also variflow, which means the flow rate can be changed.

You'll need several bottles and teats, a bottle brush for cleaning and a sterilizer -  this could be a cold water sterilizer, microwave or steam sterilizer. 

2. Making up a bottle with formula

The first thing to do when making up a bottle with formula is to clean and sterilize the surrounding area, the bottle and the teat. Read the formula's instructions and, if using powdered formula, pour the amount of water you need into the bottle - always put the water in the bottle first, while it is still hot, before adding the powdered formula. 

Practicing midwife Pip explains: "Formula comes in 2 different forms: a dry powder you make up with water, or a ready-to-feed liquid formula. While ready-to-feed liquid formula can be convenient, it tends to be more expensive and, once opened, needs to be used more quickly."

She adds: "Never add any extra formula than what is stated on the instructions, as this may cause constipation and dehydration."

Once the water and formula is in the bottle, re-attach the lid and give the powder a swirl until it's dissolved into the water. Then cool the bottle until it's body temperature by running it under a cool tap and testing the formula on your wrist - it should be either slightly warm or slightly cool but never hot. 

If there's any formula left at the end of the feed, always throw it away. You should make each feed up fresh to prevent bacteria growing. You should never dry the bottle with a tea towel - no matter how clean it is - as this runs the risk of reintroducing bacteria to the bottle.

3. Making up a bottle with breast milk

After expressing and storing your breast milk safely, you can warm it up ready to feed your baby. As with making up a bottle with formula, ensure your hands are freshly washed properly with soap before cleaning and disinfecting the area where you'll be making your bottle.

Sterilize both your bottle and teat and place them on the disinfected area. If you have frozen your breast milk it's best to defrost it slowly in the fridge. If your baby is happy to drink your breast milk cold you can give it to them straight from the fridge, or warm it to body temperature by holding the bottle under running warm water. 

Pip says: "If your baby prefers, you can warm the milk up to body temperature before feeding, but never heat milk in the microwave as it can cause hot spots which can burn your baby’s mouth."

She adds that freshly expressed milk is safe at room temperature for four hours, in the fridge for up to 5 days at 4C or lower, and in the freezer for 6 months.

Kicki explains one tip for using breast milk to bottle feed: "If you’re feeding your baby both expressed milk and formula, instead of mixing it with the formula, always feed your baby your expressed milk first. This will ensure that you don’t throw any of that milk away, should your baby not take the whole feed."

4. Bottle feeding positions

Start by sitting comfortably with support around your back and arms, holding your baby fairly upright in your arms, and support their head so that they can breathe clearly and swallow comfortably. Start by brushing the teat of the bottle against their lips and wait for them to open their mouth wide and draw it in.

Ensure the teat is always full, otherwise your baby will start swallowing air. It's also important to make sure the teat hasn't become bent or crumpled within their mouth, and you can do this by popping a clean finger in your baby's mouth to straighten it out.

Both Pip and Kicki agree that it's best to make sure feeds are carried out by the same 2-3 people, as this can be an important part of bonding.

Your baby may need to stop to be winded occasionally. Pip says, "When your baby does not want any more feed, hold them upright and gently rub or pat their back to bring up any wind."

She adds that you should never use a prop for the bottle or feed your baby whilst they are lying flat, and never leave your baby alone with a bottle as there is a risk they might choke.

5. Switching from breastfeeding to bottle feeding

You can decide to switch to formula at any time, although if you want to do a combination of breast and bottle you should wait 6-8 weeks. The best way is to slowly drop a feed a week - for example, start bottle feeding every Monday night. 

Be consistent with which feeds you decide to stop as your breasts will learn to stop producing milk at certain times. By reducing your feeds like this it will stop your breasts from becoming engorged or leaky.

It will take your baby and your body a while to get used to the change, but there are some things you can do to make it easier for your little one:

• Bottle feed with expressed breast milk
• Let your partner feed them with the bottle, if they can smell and feel your breasts they are likely to keep crying for them and ignore the bottle
• Hold them so that they are facing away from your chest to make your breasts less distracting
• Try a variety of shaped teats in case your baby find a specific one more comfortable

Kicki explains: "There is never a time when breastfeeding is no longer beneficial for your baby. However, if you would like to introduce a bottle feed now and again, you can still continue breastfeeding. The more bottles of formula you introduce, the less milk our body will make and eventually, you’ll stop producing milk."

Pip adds, "A mothers’ body will also need to get used to this new way of feeding and depending on the combination feeding choice you make your breast milk supply may need to increase or decrease to meet your baby’s demand. Transitioning gradually will help ensure that a mother does not have issues with engorgement if you has too much milk or troubles with a low milk supply."

How long should a bottle feed take?

Every baby will feed at a different pace. Pip offers as a guide: " a 0- 3 month old may take 20- 40 minutes to bottle feed and a 3- 6 month old around 15- 30 minutes."

Kicki adds: "The time spent feeding your baby should not only be a about nutrition, but also of about love, comfort, and reassurance." And this goes for both bottle feeding and breastfeeding.

How do you bottle feed on the go?

You should make each feed up before you go,  so take with you a measured amount of formula powder in a clean, dry container and a vacuum flask with freshly boiled water. You can also buy ready to feed formula for when you're away from home.

However, if you're not able to make the bottle fresh, Pip says you could prepare a bottle at home. She explains, "Once you've made up the bottle, cool under running cold water and place at the back of the fridge for at least one hour. Take it in a cool bag with an ice pack and use within four hours. 

"If made up formula is stored it can be in the fridge for 24 hours, in a cool bag with an ice pack for four hours or at room temperature for two hours."

Want to know more about baby feeding? Check out our guide on the best bottle warmers and how to start weaning. 

Video of the Week

The decision to breastfeed or bottle feed your baby is completely unique to you, and should be based on however you feel most comfortable.

It's generally recognised that breast milk is better for a newborn baby due to the nutritious value and strength building benefits that support your baby's immune system in a way that formula milk can't, and The Department of Health advise mums to breastfeed for at least the first six months of your baby's life.

However, many mums aren't physically able to breastfeed, whilst for others breastfeeding isn't an option for reasons beyond their control.

If you are deciding whether to breastfeed or bottle feed, there are lots of factors to weigh up. But, when deciding what's best for you and your baby, consider the pros and cons and be sure to talk through your plans and get advice from your health visitor as well.

Breastfeeding

Pros of breastfeeding

• Your breast milk contains the perfect amount of nutrition and hydration to build your baby's immune system which contributes towards fending off illness and making them as strong as possible
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• Breast milk is free! Considering how expensive baby's are, this is a huge win in the finance department as they drink A LOT of milk
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• Breast milk is readily available whenever your baby needs it, which means no carrying bottles or sterilising equipment around with you
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• It's a chance to bond with your baby and get to know them, spending special quality time with them
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Cons of breastfeeding

• It can make some mothers uncomfortable and they dislike doing it, especially in public
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• Your breasts can become engorged, swollen and generally painful - which is never fun!
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• Your nipples are set to get a lot more attention than normal and can begin to crack or bleed which can be quite painful
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Bottle feeding

Pros of bottle feeding

• If your breasts are in pain or you have developed mastitis, bottle feeding will be a welcome relief. It's more important to be a happy, healthy mum than to force yourself to do something you find painful
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• You can share feeding duties - yay! No longer is the pressure all on you, your partner or family are just as capable of feeding your baby, which means you can get some rest!
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• You can measure exactly how much milk your baby is drinking every day. If they're draining each bottle and still crying for more it could mean they're going through a growth spurt or if they don't drink their usual amount they may be feeling poorly
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• You can now buy ready-made formula milk, microwave sterilisers and a huge number of anti-colic teats and bottles all designed to make bottle feeding a quicker, easier and happier experience for both of you
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Cons of bottle feeding

• Unfortunately the truth is formula just doesn't have the same nutritional benefits as breast milk for your baby, your breast milk is designed especially to give your little one the best start in life
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• Formula is expensive and with so much to buy for your baby already it feels like a shame to not use the free resources that you have
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• A lot of preparation goes into making up a bottle for your baby. It can cause an added strain on your already newly hectic lifestyle because of the hassle it takes to organise the equipment, sterilise, prepare and carry around the bottles
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  Did you breastfeed or bottle feed? What sort of experience did you have? Let us know in the comments below!

Acid reflux is very common in infants and can often go undiagnosed. If your baby keeps crying and you've ruled out all the other problems, then they may be experiencing reflux, which can be treated with a variety of solutions.

Reflux happens in babies because the muscular valve at the base of their food pipe isn't developed enough to keep milk and stomach acid down, which causes discomfort and heartburn. While it's normal for babies under 14 months to spit up milk, it can make your baby uncomfortable so it's worth trying to ease the issue.

If your baby seems to cry more during feeding or when lying on its back, they could be struggling with excessive reflux. It's unusual for a baby to still have reflux after 14 months, which is when the muscles of their food canal strengthen and they can keep milk down.

Symptoms of reflux include:

• Bringing up a lot of milk after a feed
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• Coughing after feeding
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• Excessively spitting up milk
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• Starting a feed eagerly, but soon breaking off or crying
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  If your baby is vomiting violently, or reflux symptoms occur often, make an appointment with your GP and health visitor, especially if the following symptoms occur:
  
• Coughing, gagging or trouble swallowing
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• Frequent projectile vomiting
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• Persistent crying and being irritable
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• Wheezing
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• Bad breath
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• Difficulty sleeping
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• Arching their back whilst feeding or after a feed
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• Drawing their legs up to their stomach after feeding
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• Refusing to feed, but wanting to suck on a dummy
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• Not gaining weight, or losing weight
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  These symptoms could indicate GORD (a serious and long-term reflux issue), a cow or formula milk allergy, or a blockage. A visit to your GP should determine what the issue is at hand.
  The following things can help avoid or ease reflux:
  
• Burp your baby regularly throughout feeding
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• Avoid overfeeding your baby and don’t force them to drink more milk than they want
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• Check that the hole in teat of the bottle is not too big – giving too much milk too quickly can cause vomiting
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• Hold your baby upright for a little while after feeding
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  If your baby is bringing up a lot of milk, they might get hungry again quickly.
  You can also avoid reflux while they are sleeping by raising the end of their crib using books under the legs. A pillow under one end of the mattress can also raise their bodies up at the head end slightly, meaning that stomach acid and milk is less able to travel up their food pipe.
  Sharon Trotter, midwife, parenting author and founder of tipslimited.com suggests more things to help sooth a baby with reflux:
  
• White noise can be soothing - try sitting a baby next to the tumble dryer
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• A warm bath can help calm your baby, the Tummy Tub is ideal as it keeps baby in an upright position
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• If you can, breast milk is best as it's easier and quicker to digest and less acidic than bottle milk

Becoming a parent can feel a bit overwhelming - all of a sudden you're responsible for looking after this tiny human and making sure they eat the right amount of the right food at the right time.

Getting hold of information on baby portion sizes and toddler portion sizes can be a bit tricky, but that's why we've made a handy guide, collating information from the NHS and First Steps Nutrition Trust to help you out.

Past studies have pointed towards parents in the UK overfeeding their children. A report by The University College London in 2016 found that children between four and 18 months were being given much bigger portion sizes than needed, meaning that lots of little ones were suffering from symptoms of obesity at a young age.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet in the right portion sizes is essential to your child's development, so if you're feeling a little confused, don't worry! Just take a look at our handy outline and you'll be cooking up a nutritional storm in no time!

When should I start feeding my baby?

For the first six months of your baby's life they should only be drinking preferably breast milk, or if you are unable or choose not to breastfeed, bottle feeding with formula.

Breast milk is perfectly created with all the right nutrition to feed and hydrate your baby, they don't even need to try water until six months, or longer if you wish to keep breastfeeding.

There are some signs that will indicate your little one is ready to start taking on solids such as they are able to sit up properly and support their head on their own, they can use hand eye coordination to pick up food and put it in their mouth and they can actually swallow their food instead of just pushing it around their mouth with their tongue.

Other behaviours that sometimes trick parents into thinking their little ones are ready for food are increased cravings for milk, fist chewing and walking or waking up in the night. These are actually normal baby development behaviours and don't point towards being ready for food.

Starting on solid foods

To start off with you don't need to worry about specific portion sizes for your baby, introducing them to solid food is more about experimentation and exploration.

Begin by giving them very soft, mashable foods such as mashed potatoes, banana, soft cooked vegetables and fruits or baby cereal.

Let your child touch and play with the food to get used to the texture and encourage them to feed themselves, whether this is with their fingers or with a spoon. Make sure you stay with your baby at all times whilst they try to eat as they could choke.

Be careful not to force your baby into eating, the concept will seem a little strange to them at first and you don't want them to get a negative association with it. If they don't seem interested the first time you try to feed them, leave them to it and try again next time.

Baby food portions: Six to eight months

Between six to eight months your baby is just testing out solids and getting a hang of this whole eating thing.

Finger foods

Finger foods or pieces, chunks or slices of food, usually around the size of your own finger that your baby can grab in their fist with a little bit sticking out for them to nibble on. Soft but sliceable foods like banana and avocado work really well.

Next foods

Once your little one has mastered finger foods they can start eating soft versions of normal foods. Try soft cooked meat such as chicken, mashed fish (with no bones!), toast, soft pasta, hard boiled eggs etc.

Baby food portions: Eight to 12 months

Of course every baby is different, but at around the eight-month mark your bundle of joy should start moving towards the practise of having three meals a day. You should be feeding them a mixture of food groups including protein, dairy, carbs and of course lots of fruit and vegetables.

Toddler food portions: One to four years

After reaching the one year mark, your little one should be ready to try all foods, drinking cows' milk and be eating in a more adult-like style.

Eating healthily and correctly in the first five years of a child's life is crucially important to their development. The First Steps Nutrition Trust have created a portion size guideline for children aged one to four, which is available from the NHS website.

Of course it's worth bearing in mind that some children may use more energy than others, have a faster metabolism and may want more or less food - this is okay and it's to be remembered that these portion sizes are a guideline.

Carbohydrates Carbohydrates such as breads, pasta and cereals should make up about a third of your child's daily intake of food. Recommended portion sizes per serving for some of the most commonly used foods are one slice of white toast, half a pitta bread, 80g for all pasta and rice and between 15-20g for cereals.

Vegetables and fruit At this age, children should be encouraged to try at least five different fruits and vegetables a day in 40g portion sizes.

To give you a guideline, half a banana is 40g, as is one slice or melon or six grapes.

Dairy You should offer your toddler foods from this group, including milk, at two to three meals or snacks every day.

It is suggested that one to two year olds drink about 400ml of cows' milk a day and this can fit into whatever eating pattern works best for your family, usually children will drink milk before they take a nap or before bed.

For children between the ages of two and four years old you can decrease this amount by 50-100 ml a day as they will eat bigger portion sizes and take less naps, therefore not having to be soothed to sleep with milk.

When serving cheese to your little one, generally speaking between 15-18g per serving is correct and for yogurt you want to be dishing up between 50-60g.

Proteins Proteins including meat, fish, eggs, nuts, pulses and seeds are all very important for a child's development and every main meal should contain something from this food group.

When serving meats such as chicken and pork in a main meal you should stick to around 40g per portion, and the same for fish.

Whether your making boiled, poached, scrambled or fried eggs, one should be enough which adds up to about 50g. This is also the case for omelettes.

Pulses such as beans, lentils, falafels and dahl should be served in 40g portions.

For nuts, including nut butters, you should stick with 15g portion sizes.

Tired of making one meal for yourself and another for your baby? There’s no need to give yourself extra work with these family meals that can be tweaked for little tummies before being served up for big tummies!

Family meals to feed your baby and you

Tired of making one meal for yourself and another for your baby? There’s no need to give yourself extra work with these family meals that can be tweaked for little tummies before being served up for you and the rest of the adult family.

With recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, there are meals for any time of the day to suit both you and your baby. Think comfort food classics like leek and potato soup, lasagne and chicken casserole which can be easily prepared and transformed into meals for you both.

With just a few substitutes or cuts here and there and a little pureeing, you can make simple, healthy and hearty baby food that the shop bought stuff simply can’t compete with.

Click through to see all the recipes in this collection…

Breakfast: Porridge

There’s no reason why you can’t all have the same breakfast as a family, once your baby starts to eat solids. Making your porridge from scratch for both you and the baby will mean cutting out the sugar and salt often found in packet mixes and you can flavour it anyway you like.

How to prepare for your baby: Blitz oats in your own food processor to make a fine powder, ready to make into your porridge. With a recipe like our apple and cinnamon porridge, you can simply puree the apple, honey and cinnamon mixture till smooth and mix through the porridge for added flavour for both you and the little one. If your baby has just started on solids it's best to use oatmeal so the texture is as smooth as possible.

Why it’s good for them: A good source of fibre, oats will aid your baby’s digestion. Oats are also much easier to digest than many other grains for babies’ little tummies and are slowly absorbed into the bloodstream, keeping blood sugar spikes at bay and helping keep hearts healthy too.

Get the recipe for you: Apple and cinnamon porridge

Breakfast: Smoothie

Next time you’re making a smoothie keep a little of it back for your child’s breakfast. There’s no need to do much differently if you are making a healthy recipe like this fruity breakfast smoothie, sweetened with bananas and using plenty of healthy yogurt.

How to prepare for your baby: If your baby is under 12 months, we would recommend leaving out the milk and you will be able to spoon feed it easily. Try different combinations of fruit to see what your baby prefers. They’ll love the smooth creamy, fruity taste and you’ll be happy knowing they are getting plenty of vitamins and minerals at the start to the day.  

Why it’s good for them: A plain, full-fat yogurt is full of calcium, healthy bacteria (which helps break down the lactose making yogurt a better first food than milk for babies) and protein. All of these, as well as plenty of vitamins and minerals, will support your little one’s development across the board.

Get the recipe for you:

Banana, raspberry and yogurt breakfast smoothie

Lunch: Soup

Fancy a warming lunch for you and baby? Soup makes an ideal first food when made with low-salt stock and plenty of healthy veg. All you have to do is make up the soup as you would for you and then blitz the rest of it in a food blender until smooth for baby. Make sure it's not too hot when serving.

How to prepare for your baby: To make sure your soup is as healthy as possible you can make your own stock by simmering chicken bones in water for an hour or so and straining. With our classic leek and potato soup, we recommend leaving out the cream, nutmeg and obviously the garnish too - keeping the recipe nice and simple so it’s gentle on your baby’s digestion.

Why it’s good for them: Leeks are a really good source of vitamin A which helps eyes stay healthy and immune systems stay strong.

Get the recipe for you:

Leek and potato soup

Lunch: Baked potato

This tasty meal is a great mid-week dinner, taking very little effort. You can try different fillings too if you fancy a change from tuna, try chicken, salmon or a mild cheese - whichever suits you and your baby's taste buds.

How to prepare for your baby: Make the potato as you would normally for yourself. When your potato is cooked, remove the flesh and puree with the tuna and spring onion, if you think your baby will like it. We would leave out the typically salt-heavy mayonnaise, sea salt and the butter to keep everything fresh and healthy.

Why it’s good for them: Fish is a lean source of protein for little people and introducing it early on may give them a taste for it as they grow to help them towards a healthy and varied diet.

Get the recipe for you:

Baked potato with tuna and spring onion

Dinner: Fish pie

With only a few basic ingredients, this fish pie is a tasty meal for everyone in the family from the little ones right up to mum and dad. Because of the milky sauce we would only introduce this from nine to 12 months(ish) but you can check with your doctor or health visitor if you think your baby would enjoy it earlier, all babies develop at different times after all.

How to prepare for your baby: To keep the salt content low we would recommend leaving out the smoked haddock. If you fancy the added flavour yourself you can easily make your baby a mini one in a little dish. Once cooked, serve your portion up and then leave to cool a little for baby and then puree until smooth and serve.

Why it’s good for them: Low-in-fat and a good source of protein, white fish is a gentle ingredient to introduce to your baby early on. If you fancy introducing fish from six months, try pureeing with plain boiled potatoes before moving onto full-blown fish pie.

Get the recipe for you: Fish pie

Dinner: Cottage pie

Cottage pie is one of those dishes which is better made in bulk. If you're planning on making this for your baby and the rest of the family, you could dish out everyone's portions and then pop your baby's portion into a blender or mash with a masher until smooth. That way everyone can sit at the table together and eat at the same time.

How to prepare for your baby: If you are planning to make one big dish of cottage pie to share with your baby then remember to use low-salt stock and we would leave out the Worcestershire sauce too. Leaving out the sauce won’t alter the taste too much but it’ll lower the acidity levels making it better for your baby's tummy. Leave out the butter and salt in the mashed potatoes to make this dish even healthier.

Once your dinner is cooked, leave a little out to cool down, blend and serve to baby when at a good temperature. Alternatively, you could freeze for another day in little freezer bags or ice cube trays.

Why it’s good for them: Our classic cottage pie recipe sneaks in lots of lovely veggies to keep you and your little one healthy. With mushrooms, tomatoes and carrots, there are plenty of vitamins and minerals to support your baby’s development. You could even add other vegetables and less meat if you’d prefer.

Get the recipe for you: Cottage pie

Dinner: Roast chicken

Fancy a Sunday lunch but don't know what to feed your little one? They'll love the soft roast chicken and pureed vegetables like peas or carrots - they make a delicious healthy combination that only need to be blitzed down in a food processor to serve to your baby.

How to prepare for your baby: There’s very little you need to do with a lovely roast chicken to make it suitable for your baby. Simply roast in its natural juices for you and the family and then cut off some of the meat to puree for baby once cooked. You can add any veggies you’re having too, like carrots, peas or potatoes to give them a little healthy boost.

Why it’s good for them: Because it is one of the most easily digested meats, chicken is a great way to get your baby beyond simple fruit and veg purees. High in protein and iron, it will keep their little tummies full and their minds active.

Get the recipe for you:

Roast chicken

Dinner: Spaghetti Bolognese

This family classic can be a tasty progression from pureed fruits and veggies once your baby starts welcoming different flavours and textures. Before serving the Bolognese on the spaghetti, portion out some of the sauce for your baby and leave to one side to cool.

How to prepare for your baby: Try and get the leanest beef possible to make this dish as easily digestible as possible. Make the sauce without the salty Worcestershire sauce or ketchup to keep it gentle on your baby’s tummy. Puree the sauce once it’s cooked, or blitz roughly if your baby is a little older.

Pasta is typically introduced to a baby from eight months. It's recommended that you only serve a very small portion in case of wheat allergies. You can blitz the spaghetti in a blender with the sauce or swap the spaghetti for a smaller, softer type of pasta like orzo - the choice is yours.

Why it’s good for them: This recipe will give your baby a good source of iron which is sometimes hard to get into young children. Along with vitamin B and protein, beef is a filling and nutritional ingredient to add to your baby’s diet.

Get the full recipe: Spaghetti Bolognese

Dinner: Chicken curry

This child-friendly recipe has been designed by infant expert Annabel Karmel so needs very little tweaking to make it perfect for your baby's digestive system. If you’re making this for your baby don’t be put off by its children’s food’ status, this curry is packed with flavour and sweetness from the fruit which makes it a delicious combo for mums too!

How to prepare for your baby: Make sure to use low-salt stock and try not to add any extra seasoning as you don’t want your baby to get used to the taste of salt in their food, it can sometimes lead to little ones refusing to eat anything that doesn’t have it in from then on. Make the curry as you would for you and then set a portion aside for baby, leave to cool and then blitz until smooth. At this point you can add more spice to your portion of curry, if you fancy giving it a little kick.

Why it’s good for them: The protein from the chicken will help aid your baby’s general development while the vitamins and minerals from apples, carrots, peas and tomatoes give them a tasty treat that’s packed with nutrients. Some experts suggest that introducing a variety of spices and flavours will help to make sure you don’t end up with a fussy eater later on.

Get the recipe for you:

Annabel Karmel’s fruity chicken curry

Dinner: Chicken casserole

The comforting flavours of chicken and root vegetables are perfect as your baby starts to look for foods beyond fruit, when they’re a little older than six months. A casserole is the ideal meal for both you and your baby as it can be left to cook for hours making the meat succulent and the veggies tender so it's quick to prepare for baby.

How to prepare for your baby: Leave out the white wine and rich bacon, and make sure to swap the stock for a low-salt version and that’s about all you need to do before pureeing or mashing for your little one. If your little one is under a year, you might want to swap the celery for a softer vegetable like parsnip or broccoli as celery can be hard to puree, leaving stringy bits.

Why it’s good for them: The protein in the chicken will help your baby’s overall development and if you use a homemade chicken stock you’ll pack in even more nutrients.

Get the full recipe: Chicken casserole

Dinner: Chilli con carne

Introducing new flavours like herbs and spices to your baby from around eight months will help expand their palette, hopefully making them less of a fussy toddler! Chilli is packed with tasty flavours and is easy to alter for a little ones' taste buds.

How to prepare for your baby: Simply leave out the wine, chilli, Worcestershire sauce and make sure your stock is a low-salt version. Make sure to use lean beef mince to make it easy to digest. You can make it like this for the whole family and simply add more seasoning, the Worcestershire sauce and chilli after you’ve removed your little one’s portion. Puree or blitz to make it easier to swallow and serve.

Why it’s good for them: Beans are a great, lean source of protein to introduce to your baby from somewhere between eight to ten months roughly. Their digestive systems will have become stronger at this point and it’ll make it easier for them to break the beans down. The fibre found in beans will also aid their digestive systems once they’re ready to start eating them.

Get the recipe for you: Chilli con carne

Dinner: Vegetable lasagne

It's good to have a vegetarian meal a few times a week to make sure that your baby's diet is varied with nutrients and this veggie lasagne is packed full of goodness and perfect for making for both you and your baby too.

How to prepare for your baby: Mustard can sometimes cause allergies so make sure your baby isn’t allergic before adding or leave out completely if you’re not sure. Other than that small sacrifice, this nutritious dish can be made the normal way, again just making sure you are using a low-salt stock or even water instead of powders or gels which are loaded with it. Puree or blitz once cooked, leave to cool a little and you’re ready to serve.

Why it’s good for them: With four different vegetables and an added bonus with the homemade tomato sauce, this veggie lasagne is a complex mix of all the best vitamins and minerals. The beta-carotene in the carrots and butternut squash will provide your baby with plenty of antioxidants and is broken down into vitamin A too.

Get the recipe for you: Vegetable lasagne

Dessert: Fruit salad

Give your baby a fresh, fruity pudding which will give them a sweet treat without all that typical sugar which comes in desserts. It really doesn't take much to make this dessert, and you don't have to change much either to adjust the recipe for both you and your baby.

How to prepare for your baby: Sweeten this tasty fruit salad with a touch of honey instead of sugar or leave out the sweetener altogether if preferred. We wouldn’t change anything else in this tasty recipe, the light spices will give the fruit salad warmth and will introduce a new flavour to your little one too. Again, decide whether you’d like to mash, blitz or puree this dish and serve up.

Why it’s good for them: Including a range of colours is a good indication of a variety of vitamin and minerals in fresh fruit and veggies. This simple dessert for instance contains vitamin C from pears, vitamin A from peaches and antioxidants from blueberries.

Get the recipe for you: Fruit salad

Dessert: Rice pudding

Rice pudding is a classic pud which is perfect for a little treat every now and then for both you and your baby. Once cooked, rice pudding becomes soft and pretty smooth so there's really nothing to change drastically in the method.

How to prepare for your baby: We don't think it's a very good idea to give little babies lots of sugar so we would suggest replacing the sugar with honey or even sugar-free jam, simply add a little and try before serving to see whether you need a little bit extra. Because honey and jam are so soft it will melt in easily at the end to make it however sweet you like.

Why it’s good for them: There is very little nutritional benefit in this pud apart from a good dose of calcium from the milk! It is pudding though so we think it’s ok for a treat every now and then.

Get the recipe for you: Rice pudding

Where to next?

• See all our baby food recipes
• 10 one-ingredient baby food recipes
• How to encourage your baby to eat

Baby food is quick and simple to make yourself at home. Cheaper and a lot healthier too, it'll help encourage your baby to try tasty new flavours. These recipes need only one ingredient each and are extra healthy for your baby...

10 one-ingredient baby foods

Baby food is quick and simple to make yourself at home and it's often cheaper and a lot healthier for your baby too. It'll also help encourage your little one to try tasty new flavours. This collection of recipes each need only one ingredient which makes them almost as easy as the shop-bought jars.

A new baby is a lot of work, there are the nappies, the constant washing of clothes, the sleepless nights and then there’s the feeding.

Just when you think you’ve got your routine under control it’ll be time to get your little one started on solids. The NHS recommends you start feeding your baby solids at around six months, although you can start after four months if your health visitor agrees they are ready for something more than milk. We think making your own baby food is the next step on the road to weaning your baby and it's the best way we know to make sure the food you're giving your child is healthy, low in sugar and salt and packed full of nutrients from fresh ingredients.

These one-ingredient purees are all soft, mild and nutritious and will get you on your way to being a baby food expert and to get your baby excited about solids. Each one has a different benefit to your baby so make sure you vary their diet to see them be as healthy as they possibly can be.

Remember that all babies are different and the best age to start your baby on solids can vary. Check with your doctor or health visitor if you’re unsure of when to start weaning your baby.

Click through for tasty purees, each made from just one ingredient...

Apricot puree

Why it’s good for them: Apricots are a gorgeous pale orange colour which is proof of their high levels of beta-carotene which translates to lots of lovely vitamin A for baby. It also provides fibre which your baby’s body needs to grow properly, and a healthy dose of iron, vitamin C and potassium too.

When to introduce them: From around six months your baby should be ready to eat apricots, introduced them before this and it might have a laxative effect because of their immature immune systems - and no-one wants that!

Get the recipe: Apricot puree

Butternut squash puree

Why it's good for them: Another healthy orange ingredient is butternut squash, again containing plenty of beta-carotene. The natural sugars in this sweet vegetable will give your baby plenty of energy to get through all that playing, learning and growing they have to get done in a day. The vitamin C and antioxidant content in butternut squash is quite high which is great for keeping baby fighting fit and it's also thought it could reduce the risk of your baby developing asthma and other inflammatory conditions.

When to introduce it: Butternut squash’s soft flesh is easy to digest so is a good first food to start your baby on solids at around six months old, depending on their development rate.

Get the recipe: Squash puree

Potato puree

Why they're good for them: Carbohydrates are open frowned upon but your baby needs them and they can be healthy when cooked in a simple way. Potatoes are healthy complex carbs and contain loads of potassium and vitamin B6 which will support the formation of new cells in your little one. To get the most nutritional value from spuds you should ideally leave the skin on while cooking and puree them along with the flesh - just make sure they are super-clean before pureeing because any dirt can cause nasty bugs in under-developed immune systems.

When to introduce them: Very few people are allergic to potatoes so they make a good first food and are a great base for other flavours too later on.

Get the recipe: Potato puree

Pea puree

Why they're good for them: These little green vegetables are incredibly high in protein so will keep your baby feeling full and happy. They’re low in sodium too which will help keep your baby’s heart healthy. Cooking them in as little liquid as possible will help to retain all the lovely vitamins and minerals in peas, making them the best possible meal for your baby.

When to introduce them: After around six months your baby will probably be ready to try peas. A word of warning, peas can cause gas!

Get the recipe: Pea puree

Pear puree

Why they're good for them: Not very acidic, pears are gentle on tiny tummies and as a result, can be fed to babies as one of their first foods. It's unusual for anyone to have an allergic reaction to pears too so they are a pretty safe bet for baby. Packed with vitamin C and copper, they are an easy way to support your little one’s immune system.

When to introduce them: As the least acidic fruit you can introduce these as a first food from upwards of around six months.

Get the recipe: Pear puree

Blueberry puree

When they're good for them: As a high flier in the superfood category, blueberries are full of antioxidants, vitamins and other lovely things to aid your baby’s development. With manganese, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin K and bundles of fibre there really is no end to their benefits! Most notably blueberries can prevent urinary tract infections, in a similar way to cranberries so they're perfect as a preventative measure or a cure if your baby is prone. All these healthy elements are destroyed in the processing of jarred baby food so stick to homemade to get the most out of blueberries.

When to introduce them: As with most simple fruits and veggies blueberries should be safe to eat from six months onwards.

Get the recipe: Blueberry puree

Meat puree

Why it's good for them: Introducing protein-rich lean meat to your baby’s diet will help their muscle development and also keep them fuller for longer. Meat is a really strong source of zinc and iron too which we all need a bit of to keep healthy and will help your baby’s overall development. If you are worried about your baby’s reaction to meat, try them with a little at a time and monitor any changes. Make sure you cook the meat enough so that it becomes soft – easy to puree and digest.

When to introduce it: Meat is a little harder to digest for infants so only introduce once your baby has got to grips with fruit and veggies, anywhere from seven-months up, but if your baby is fussy, wait until the nine-month mark.

Get the recipe: Beef/pork puree

Broccoli puree

Why it's good for them: Another superfood, broccoli, ranks super highly on the vitamin count. In this wonder veg there is vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, fibre, calcium, iron, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc and protein - phew! The vitamin C helps your baby absorb the iron and calcium - required for healthy teeth, bones, nails and hair.

When to introduce it: From six months your baby can enjoy broccoli.

Get the recipe: Broccoli puree

Plum puree

Why they're good for them: Plums are really good for babies because of their high vitamin C content which helps with the absorption of iron, making sure your infant’s energy levels are kept nice and high. With plenty of fibre, they also aid digestion and help with constipation, although this can also be a negative - something any mum will know all about if they’ve fed their baby a little too much of this soft fruit!

When to introduce them: Because too many plums can occasionally have a laxative effect it is recommended to introduce these slowly into your baby’s diet, and not as a first food.

Get the recipe: Plum puree

Carrots

Why they're good for them: The old wives tale is right and carrots really are good for eyesight! The high levels of beta-carotene in these sweet veggies converts to vitamin A in the body and will help your baby’s eyesight develop well. They also contain plenty of anti-oxidants, minerals and fibre which are all good things for anyone and especially good for little people who are growing and changing constantly.

When to introduce them: Carrots are one of the few foods that experts say are safe to eat from three months onwards. We recommend waiting for at least six months though, as recommended by the NHS.

Get the recipe: Carrot puree

Where to next?

• How to encourage your baby to eat
• Annabel Karmel's baby food tips
• More baby food recipes