Weaning Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is weaning?
The process of starting to introduce solid foods to a baby.
What are signs a baby is ready for solids?
Sitting upright, showing interest in parents’ food, and putting food in their mouth.
At what age do guidelines recommend starting solids?
At 6 months of age.
Why wait until 6 months to introduce solids?
The gastrointestinal tract and immune system are more mature, increasing food tolerance.
What risks are associated with introducing solids too early or too late?
Increased risk of allergies.
Why is breastfeeding recommended during weaning?
It protects the baby from allergenic foods via antibodies in breast milk.
How should new foods be introduced during weaning?
Single ingredient foods one at a time, with 3–4 day intervals to observe reactions.
When should allergenic foods like eggs, peanuts, fish, and wheat be introduced?
Closer to 12 months of age.
When may peanuts be introduced to prevent allergy in at-risk babies?
Between 4–11 months.
What feeding skills and foods are appropriate at 6 months?
Ability to swallow non-liquid foods; thin porridge with breast milk, sieved vegetables and fruits.
What feeding skills and foods are appropriate at 6–8 months?
Able to feed self with finger grasp; textured veggies/fruits, proteins, iron-rich foods.
What feeding skills and foods are appropriate from 8 months onwards?
Begins holding own bottle and spoon; whole grains, soft cooked vegetables/fruits, lean meats, eggs, mashed legumes, yoghurt.
Describe the progression of food texture during weaning.
Start with runny purees → smooth pastes → mashed or minced foods.
Name some suitable pureed vegetables and fruits for babies.
Vegetables: carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, butternut squash. Fruits: ripe banana, apple, pear, avocado.
What is baby-led weaning?
Babies feed themselves finger foods from the start, promoting coordination and self-regulation.
What foods should be omitted during weaning?
Concentrated sweets, sugar alcohols, canned vegetables, honey, soya products, cow’s milk before 12 months.
Why should honey be avoided for infants?
Risk of botulism, a serious bacterial infection.
What are risks of giving cow’s milk before 12 months?
Iron deficiency anemia, linoleic acid deficiency, gastrointestinal blood loss, and potential type 1 diabetes in genetically predisposed infants.
