Weaning Q&A With Lucy Upton - Part 4

Welcome to week four of our mini Q&A clinic with Specialist Paediatric Dietitian Lucy Children. Lucy regularly consults in the public and private sectors and has extensive experience supporting families through weaning in her specialist feeding clinics. Over the coming weeks, she’ll answer some of the most common questions parents ask as they begin weaning, along with a few surprising ones!

If you missed the first three weeks,  you can catch up here:

Week 1: Give Weaning Woes the F.I.N.G.E.R

Week 2: POO, P fruits & more!

Week 3: Baby Food Pouches: Yay or Nay?

As the holiday season approaches, we’re considering how to keep babies hydrated and whether bottled water is safe. Without further ado, it’s over to Lucy.

I’m going abroad for a holiday. Can I give my baby bottled water?

There’s no reason to use bottled water at home in the UK, as our tap water is considered safe (when used in conjunction with the usual prep for formula). However, the safety of mains water abroad is variable and may not be something you’ll want to take any chances with. 

You’ll need to consider opting for bottled water, but how do you know which one to pick? Some countries may make it very clear, even including a baby symbol on the outer packaging. However, you’ll want to be looking at the minerals added to the water. Ideally, you’re looking for water with under 200mg per litre of sodium and no more than 240mg per litre of sulphates.

If you’re using bottled water for formula, you will still need to boil it first and let it cool, because remember, bottled water is not sterile.

I’m loving the mini heatwaves we’re having, but my baby’s appetite keeps dipping. Should I be worried?

Let’s stop and think about the act of eating, not just the nutritional side. Eating and digestion are heat-generating processes, so it’s very natural when the body is in ‘keep it cool’ mode, for babies’ and children’s appetites to decline. They may be drawn to very fluid-rich foods - think fruits, vegetables, cold yoghurts and lollies. Trust them to take on board what they need and if they are showing a preference for more of these types of foods during exceptional heat, go with it.

While you might find yourself stressing about how much they’re eating, please be reassured that as the weather inevitably cools back down, your child’s appetite is likely to return to more normal levels, and they’ll do great at catching up. Keeping them hydrated is obviously crucial, so be sure to stay on top of their fluid intake.

How can I help my baby to feed themself?

Independent feeding is a core life skill, and there are lots of ways you can get the ball rolling, even in the first few weeks of your weaning journey. Here are some simple but effective ways to encourage and nurture self-feeding:

1. Think about offering foods that your baby can actually pick up. That’s why finger foods in the early stages of weaning are perfect. They need to be the right size - adult finger size is a good guide. They should be easy to grasp and pop out of the top of their hands. 

2. We also want babies to know what to do with the foods they are presented by seeing someone else handling and eating them. That’s why we talk about role modelling at mealtimes. It’s key to remember that you are your baby’s biggest role model and first teacher. Rather than just watching them eat, make sure you get really immersed in the experience too. Showing them what to do, overexaggerating, big munching, big positive smiles all the way, is going to be really valuable and encouraging as they learn how to eat. 

3. They can even get involved if you are spoon-feeding. What you want to think about is perhaps loading and leaving a spoon within their reach. The Dippit is a particularly good example as the two-handed design makes it easy to pick up, even in the earlier stages when wrist control hasn’t quite developed. Pick up a spoon yourself and model again, showing how to bring it to the mouth. 

4. Also think about your mealtime environment and set-up. Can your baby reach the food on the tray? Are they in a good, supported position? - not too reclined or slouching to one side. You might even consider taking food out of the bowl or off the plate initially until they have developed some basic skills.

Is it ok to use the spoon to scrape food from my baby’s face?

There’s no rulebook for how you handle mess at mealtimes, but as a general rule of thumb, it’s better not to be overly concerned with cleaning during mealtimes.

This goes back to the importance of mealtimes as an immersive experience where mess is a valuable part of the learning curve. It can be uncomfortable for parents at the start of the weaning journey to accept - let’s face it, the mess is real. Try to remind yourself how much this is doing for your little one’s development, and know that you can deal with the clean-up at the end of the mealtime.

Try to think about how you might feel if someone were to scrape around your mouth with a spoon after every bite. It can feel quite uncomfortable and begin to interrupt the flow of discovery. It’s much better if you can resist the temptation and let your baby experience the feel and sensation of food on their face and even in their hair. A simple warm flannel at the end of a meal normally does the trick.

What do you actually need to start weaning?

The secret is, you need a lot less than you think! Yes, there are some great inventions that help you as a parent, and also do wonders for development, but don’t let a huge shopping list get in the way of getting going. 

You need your baby, who is developmentally ready for weaning.

You need a highchair that offers adequate support - and ideally with a footrest. This is key for stability and a secure posture. 

You need some initial finger foods and purees to get going.

Yes, a Coverall Bib is going to really help with managing the mess and giving them the freedom to get really stuck in without limits. Yes, an open cup is key for mouth muscle development from 6 months, and a spoon is going to help nurture motor skills and help them learn to feed independently. 

BUT, my advice is to start out small. I often see parents buy every gadget available and then become flustered by the sheer amount of kit they have at their disposal. This can actually hinder progress and introduce too many variables for a baby who is trying to get accustomed to new foods, textures, and tastes. Keep that initial kit list tight and build as you progress. 

For more from Lucy, check out her latest book ‘The Ultimate Guide to Children's Nutrition: How to nurture happy, healthy eaters in the first five years’.