Hello Lovely Parents!

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m MaryAnne, a Nanny based in Glasgow, Scotland!

Today I would love to share with you a few top tips and secrets on weaning I have learned throughout my professional Nanny business.

I so understand that for many of you, weaning can be a frightening time and some of you may even feel a little lost in the process.

I must tell you though. These feelings are normal! No one walks into weaning fully confident and we all make mistakes!

This is a perfect time to rely on people like myself. I have done the research and tested each method so that I can share them all with you!

Weaning book coming soon!

Just before I get into the nitty gritty, I am VERY excited to tell you that I am also working on a handy dandy little book on weaning.

I’m covering everything you’ll need to know, so please if you have any weaning topics you’d like me to include, feel free to let me know in the comment section!

Right, all that chatter out the way, let’s get into it!

Signs of readiness- Growth spurts

Very often, your baby will go through growth periods. During this time, their little routine will change. And sometimes, this is often mistaken as a time where they are ready for weaning.

For example, if they wake during the night when they previously slept through or wanting extra milk feeds are often just thing’s that growing babies do and are more often short lived.

The more baby moves about the more they will want to feed. Sleeping less and learning to roll over and sit up takes up much more energy. When new skills like these are learned little one will want more milk to replace the energy lost.

If it is just a growth spurt, your baby’s appetite will increase, then decrease again going back to normal.

The right age for you

I could be old-fashioned here, and tell you that The Department of Health recommends to you wait until at least 6 months but let’s get real.

Every baby is different. While one might start at 4 months another might want to wait till 10 months.

Some babies go a few months with milk and see their siblings eating solids and will want to also.

Don’t get worried if even your entire neighbourhood is weaning before you. If your little one is happy, nothing else matters!

In serious matters, never ever start weaning before 17 weeks as baby’s body is far too undeveloped at this stage to cope with anything other than milk.

Signs to look out for

While there are oodles of signs out there, you will never truly know if your baby wants to be weaned until you try.

Bare in mind too there will be lots of weird and wonderful faces pulled! Have a giggle at these faces and don’t be put off.

Can you imagine how strange new things might taste if you’ve only ever tasted milk?

• The little one is interested in what your eating
• Reaches out for food
• Sits up independently
• Does not need their head supported in the high chair
• Strong fine motor skills. Little one can coordinate their hands and eyes so they can put food in their mouth
• Well developed pincer grip. This is the grip between the index finger and thumb
• Doesn’t have a tongue thrust any more. Young babies push out food with their tongue to avoid choking up until a certain age

Probably one of the biggest NO signs though is that when you try food (try more than once) baby will turn his head away and not open his mouth.

I always suggest trying food more than once. It seems a little quick to try once and if baby makes a face to assume they don’t like it.

What products are going to work

To be completely honest with you, far too many people end up buying products which don’t work or have little dependability!

Luckily enough for me, I see time and time again the products which all my families count on.

I remember when my current Nanny kiddo was very little but very interested in trying new foods. Especially fruit, she has such a sweet tooth!

Being so little, we were all terrified of choking but still wanted her to experiment and not have our own fears get in her way. So, we bought this and oh gosh it was a lifesaver! The Nature Bond Baby Food Feeder was exactly what she needed!

I was a little sceptical at first, thinking the plastic could fall off. But, it was actually super strong. We popped loads in here like grapes, blueberries and raspberries. Literally, anything we’d want her to try but afraid of her choking on it!

I also used to Nanny for a little boy and oh my he just LOVED to make a mess with this food. I was left contemplating whether I should just feed him outside in his diaper! But of course, I didn’t! I actually came across these amazing full body wipe down bibs so he could go to town with his food and I wouldn’t be left with even more cleaning than I had to do, woho!

Last but certainly not least, who-ever created suction bowls, you are a genius! As much as I love to see children play, it was also slightly frustrating to look away for a second only to be met with a little one covered in spag bol holding an empty bowl, AHH!

Not any more little one, This Nanny has the power with these bowls!

Recipes- preparation

First off, you don’t need to be whipping up dozens of fancy nancy dishes stuffed with 100 ingredients.

Who has time for this kind of madness!?

Simple, healthy and quick bits and bobs are coming your way.

Before starting, keep a few things in mind for little one’s safety.

• Make sure baby’s food is piping hot to kill bacteria. Allow the food to cool before serving so that it doesn’t burn little one’s mouth.
• If your Baby is particularly peckish and you’re waiting for the food to cool throw a small snack their way
• Meat and fish- Make sure it’s always cooked all the way through with no pink bits.
• Make sure fruit and veg is washed before serving

Salt allowances by age

0-6 months- < 1 gram/ day

6-12 months- < 1 gram/ day

1-3 years- < 2 gram/ day

Recipes

I am sharing these little gems with you because they are packed with nutrients but don’t include endless amounts of ingredients because there is no need!

These recipes are fabulous to start with and can also be used in later years!

If you would like me to share older kiddo recipes, leave me a comment!

Pea Puree

Small and mighty! Peas are packed with Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Folate, Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Magnesium, Riboflavin and Niacin!

How to make 

All you have to do is grab a bag of frozen peas and chuck them in boiling water until they are soft.

Throw them into a blender and mulch up! Serve to little one as a lump-free dish!

Banana and avocado puree

Bananas contain lots of Potassium, fibre, Magnesium and protein essential for growth!

Plus, Advcados are stuffed with lovely Omega-3 fatty acids, can lower cholesterol, have more potassium than bananas and have lots of essential vitamins!

How to make 

Peel and chop banana then half the avocado and remove the stone inside.

Place both into a food processor and ad a tiny squeeze of lemon juice to keep the dish from turning brown. Serve to little one and pop your feet up!

Sweet potato puree

Sweet potatoes are great for babes as they are a rich source of fibre and have Iron, Calcium and B vitamins!

How to make 

Either pop sweet potatoes into the oven or boil them in boiling water. Baking in the oven would take slightly longer but it’s all up to you!

Once soft and cooked, pop in the blender to make the dish lump free and serve once it is cooled down.

Brown Rice Cereal

If you are struggling to decide babys first food this is a perfect choice. There are many Brown rice cereals to buy in the shops but I honestly think homemade is best as then you’ll know exactly what is in the meal!

Plus, it’s super easy to make!

How to make 

So, first, grab around 1/2 a cup of uncooked brown rice and pop in the food processor until it is grounded.

Then boil 1/2 a cup of water and stir in the grounded rice.

Whisk together for around 20 seconds and then serve to baby once it has cooled down!

Apple and Oats porridge

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Oh man, I couldn’t resist adding that in! This dish is a perfect start to the day and is packed with Vitamin C and Fiber!

This is also something you can have for breakfast Two birds and all…

How to make

Grab 2 tablespoons of Oats, 1/2 of an apple and 1/2 cup of cold water.

Chop and peel an apple, then pop along with oats and water into a heated saucepan.

Cook for 4 mins and then pop the mixture into the blender until smooth.

Once cool serve to your kiddo!

Quinoa Ratatouille

Quinoa is very high in protein and fibre and by adding lovely vegetables makes a very nutritious meal!

How to make

You’ll need 1 Eggplant, 1 pepper, 1/4 1 Onion and 1/2 cup of Quinoa

Heat up the veg in a saucepan until soft and cooked. In a separate pan boil the quinoa in double the amount of water for around 10 minutes until soft.

For young babies combine the ingredients and blend up until purred.

For older babies and children keep and use as a solid, delish!

Apricot puree

Apricots are great for bone health, heart health and can make your skin smooth so don’t be surprised if your kiddo feels like one silky babe!

How to make

Boil 1 pound of Apricots in boiling water for around 15 minutes.

Drain and pop into a blender adding a small amount of apple juice or your desired juice. This keeps the dish from being too bitter.

Butternut squash Puree

Usually, the taste of Butternut Squash is an instant hit with little ones. It’s loaded with Vitamin E which is good for the skin, preventing heart disease and promoting eye health.

How to make

Easy peasy lemon squeezy! Just throw the squash into the oven for around 40 minutes until cooked after peeling and chopping.

Once cooked pop into the blender and whiz until lump-less! Cool down and serve!

Salmon, Pea and Potatoe Puree

Some sources will tell you to wait until a year before serving Salmon but I personally have never seen any proof not to try slightly earlier than this.

This is a perfect dinner recipe packed with nutrients and vitamins essential for development.

How to make

Cook the salmon for 30 minutes in the oven until thoroughly cooked and meanwhile take the skin off the potatoes and boil in hot water.

In another pan boil a bag of frozen peas for 10 minutes.

Once everything is cooked throw the ingredients into the blender until it’s one smooth dish. Wait until it’s cool and shout dinner time!

Cauliflower Bites

If you are looking for a little snack this is just for you! Cauliflower is packed with Antioxidants so they are great if your little one is feeling a bit sniffily.

How to make 

Pop a handful of Cauliflower heads into boiling water and cook until soft.

Cut up for older babies or pop in the blender to make a tasty Puree. Yum!

I have to thank you for reading and encourage you to please leave me a comment and let me know what you thought!

Do you have any more recipes that are wins with little humans? Please let me know!

If you are in need of even more weaning advice check out these posts!

Everything parents need to know about Baby weaning!

The Big Debate…bottle of breast?

7 Best developmental toys

Until next read,

Nanny M x