Weaning 101: What To Keep In Mind While Introducing Food To Your Baby

Weaning is the process in which babies who have thus far been dependent on milk began to transition to consuming solid foods. During this phase, it is important to understand what types of food can be introduced to the child and what one should avoid giving the infant. This can, no doubt, be an arduous task given the wide range of ingredients that one may feel is safe for the child. But to make things easier for new mothers, nutritionist Lovneet Batra shares a video regarding the do's and dont's during the weaning phase.  Sharing the video, the expert says, “As a new mom, it can be confusing once your baby is six months old, which foods to introduce. So, I thought I would share a list of foods you can introduce as weaning foods for your baby.”

In the video, Lovneet Batra explained, “Weaning is a vital process in which your baby transitions from breastmilk or formula to food. This process is often recommended when the baby is six months old because babies, at this age, begin to need extra nutrients not found in milk.”

As per Lovneet Batra, the appropriate first foods include rice water, yellow moong dal water, pumpkin/potato puree and apple/pear sauce. 

In addition to this, the nutritionist also lists the foods to avoid and gives reasons behind abstaining from them. For instance, soft runny eggs must be avoided as they “may contain Salmonella bacteria, which can make your baby ill”. Salt must be avoided since “the baby's kidneys cannot process salt yet,” she adds.

She also states that sugar can encourage your child to develop a sweet tooth and therefore must be avoided. Honey must be avoided at least till the baby is one “as it can cause infant botulism in babies.”

Another food to avoid is whole unsoaked nuts, Lovneet Batra says, explaining that they “are a choking hazard and difficult to process.”

Watch the video here: