Present-day principles in weaning babies

For parents, the principles of weaning are to be flexible, offer variety, keep calm and show tolerance. Weaning is usually begun between three and six months old. Premature introduction of solids is inadvisable, as is delaying beyond six months. A wide range of home-prepared and/or manufactured baby foods broadens the experience of taste and smell at a receptive age. Foods during weaning should be given without added salt or added sugar. A low-fat diet is not appropriate for babies. Skimmed or semi-skimmed milk are not suitable. Fibre need not be excluded but should be given only in small amounts. Current Department of Health guidelines are that breast or complete formula milk should preferably be continued throughout the first year of life. Follow-on milk or whole cow's milk may be given from six months onwards Follow-on milk is preferable to cow's milk because it is a more reliable source of iron and vitamin D. The need for fluid increases with the intake of solids. Watch the sugar content in fruit juices and give well diluted. Children's vitamin drops should be given from six months up to two years, and preferably up to five years.