New parents like us always have 4 W’s in mind when it comes to weaning and solid foods feeding.
What nutrients baby needs?
Below is the list of essential nutrients that are important in their growth and some examples of foods that contains of these nutrients.
| Nutrients | Function | Example of foods that contains |
| Protein | Helps in body building and also cell tissues repairing | Meat, fish, egg, tofu, beans, nuts, dairy products |
| Carbohydrate | Provide energy for physical activies | Rice, cereal, noodles, bread, pasta, oatmeal, potato |
| Fat | This is important in brain development, building cell membranes and protect internal organs | Meat, fish, whole-milk dairy products, cheese |
| Calcium | Affecting in bone and teeth growing, maintaining nervous system function as well | Milk, soya, egg yolk, cheese, yogurt, tofu |
| Iron | An oxygen-carrying component of blood as it produce red blood cells. Children need enough iron to expand blood volume during periods of rapid growth. | Red Meat, whole grains, beans, nuts, spinach |
| Folic Acid | Another name for this is either folate or Vitamin B9, this is essential for human growth and proper brain function development | Black beans, spinach, whole grains cereal |
| Fibre | It improves digestive system and bowel regularity, it helps preventing heart diseases and cancers | Cereals, beans, green leaf vegetables and fruits |
| Vitamin A | Vision protector, it keeps healthy skin and prevent infection too | Potato, carrots, apricots, animal liver |
| Vitamin C | Vitamin C works as antioxidant that helps the body in iron absorption. It helps to strengthen the immune system towards common cold | Brocolli, kiwi, papaya, orange, strawberry, cauliflowers |
| Vitamin D | It helps to absorb calcium, maintaining bone and teeth health | Fish, cod liver oil, egg, mushroom |
When to start weaning?
Feeding solid foods to the baby is not simple as if you feed too early, it might make your baby get choke and even worse when eating become a phobia for them. If you start weaning too late, it might cause malnutrition as baby are unable to get enough daily nutrients. It is suggested that baby shall start weaning at about 6 months where they most probably will be teething at this stage. Beside teething, they are able to sit upright and ability of chewing and swallowing will developed better now.
Where to do weaning?
Weaning is as important as adult dining, so if you want your baby to grow up with proper eating habits then you shall treat weaning as normal adult dining. Do the weaning at the dining table and let your baby concentrated on the process.
Who shall do the feeding?
There is always a bond and trust between the baby and the carer, so the carer shall be able to comfort the baby on their first bites. However, I am proud to feed my son on our own as this should be a responsibility for a parent on every first trial of their kids. Every first trial or move from own baby is always a happy and unforgettable memories in all parents mind.