Weaning is a phase when you introduce your little one to a world of new tastes and textures. Weaning is the process of introducing complementary foods in your baby’s diet, alongside your breast milk, around the age of six months.
Most health experts recommend that babies should start getting solid food at around 4 to 6 months of age. This is because, at this age, your baby needs extra nutrients that are not found in breast milk like iron, zinc, etc.
If your baby is able to control his/her head, is able to sit properly, able to hold the food and put it into his/her own mouth, is able to chew and swallow the food, then your baby is ready to have solid foods. But in case you observe these activities before your baby turns 4 months, talk to your pediatrician for advice.
Now that you have begun the journey, you’ll naturally want to try as many things as possible for your baby. The best foods to try can be soft fruits (banana, mango), softly cooked vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots), and cooked cereals (smashed rice, millets). And also when you mix such foods with a little breastmilk or formula milk (a substitute for breast milk, usually made from cow's milk or soy protein), it improves acceptance.
However, there are a few foods to avoid when weaning, as they are unsuitable for your little baby.
1. Salt. Your baby’s immature kidneys aren’t developed enough to cope with much sodium or salt. Usually, babies need less than 1 gram of salt per day which they already get from breast milk or formula milk.
2. Sugar. You can naturally prefer some fruits like bananas, mangoes over sugar. Sugars have very little nutritional value and contribute nothing to a balanced diet, instead, it puts your baby at risk for developing tooth decay and causing weight gain.
3. Honey. Giving honey to your child predisposes him/her to the risk of infection as honey contains spores of a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum which when ingested by your baby, will infect his/her large intestine and can cause muscle weakness and difficulty in breathing. This is known as infant botulism.
4. Cow's Milk. Cow’s milk contains a high concentration of proteins and minerals and your baby’s kidneys and digestive system is incapable of handling such high concentrations of proteins and minerals.
Your baby will not be able to digest the cow’s milk and this may cause fever, diarrhoea, or other illnesses. Cow’s milk should be avoided till your baby turns a year old and should only be started on the advice of your pediatrician.
5. Citrus Juices. Oranges, lemons, grapefruits are acidic and hence are their juices. When these juices are metabolized, they produce acid.
Though your stomach can handle the acid levels of such fruits, your baby’s stomach is much more sensitive and may not react well to the level of acidity. Hence, avoid such foods till your baby turns a year old.
6. Berries. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries can be hard for your baby to digest and you will observe the seeds or the skin of the berries in your baby’s poop.
Also, berries may also cause rashes around your baby’s mouth; hence, it’s better to avoid them during the weaning period. Berries can be given after 8 to 10 months, on consultation with your pediatrician.
7. Beetroot. Commonly known as beets, they are a healthy option but do not give it raw to your baby during his/her weaning period. As they are slippery and firm, they can increase the risk of choking (inability to breathe because of obstruction of the throat or windpipe by any particle).
If you want to introduce beet in your baby’s diet, then you can cook it and mash it and make it to a soft consistency and give it to your baby or can be given as a juice.
8. Unpasteurized Soft Cheese. Dairy products undergo a process to eliminate the bacteria and extend their shelf life. This process is called pasteurization. If that is not done, then the dairy products will contain bacteria.
Because your baby’s immune system is still developing, your baby will be more prone to illness from bacteria, and also your baby’s young digestive system is not ready to cope with these yet.
9. Foods that Lead to Choking. Foods such as peanuts, popcorn, chocolates, grapes, and raisins can lead to choking. Nuts shouldn't be given to children under 5 years old because of such reasons.
10. Foods Rich in Nitrates. Oxygen levels in your baby’s blood can get negatively affected if your baby is having nitrate-rich foods like spinach, collard greens, etc. Hence, do not feed your baby with such vegetables on a regular basis.
Weaning can be difficult and confusing for your child as well as for you; stay patient, give the right foods and enjoy every moment of this beautiful process. Consult your pediatrician to learn more about foods to be avoided during weaning.
Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.