Food and Health Guidelines - Torfaen Family Information Service

2. Babies 0-12 months
Introducing babies
to foods
Definition of weaning - Weaning is defined
as the process when milk alone is no longer
sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements
of babies; therefore other foods are needed
with milk.
Weaning is a gradual process, which ends
the total dependence on milk as the sole
source of nutrition. This process accustoms
the infant to a variety of foods, which should
meet the nutritional requirements for their
growth and development.
In 2001, the World Health Organisation
recommended exclusive breast feeding
until 6 months (26 weeks) of age as it
offers protection against gastroenteritis,
and breast milk is considered nutritionally
adequate for most babies until 6 months. 23
The Welsh Assembly Government supports
this recommendation. At about 6 months
babies are ready to move on to a mixed diet
- whether breast or infant formula fed. At this
age babies digestive systems and kidneys are
still developing and weaning too soon may
increase the risks of infections and allergies.
At about six months babies actively spoon
feed with the upper lip moving down to clean
the spoon, chew and use the tongue to move
the food from the front to the back of the
mouth. They are curious about other tastes
and textures and develop their eye to hand
co-ordination at this stage. 24 This is also the
time to allow them to use their fingers to try
to feed themselves’
Solid foods should never be introduced
before 4 months.
Signs of readiness
A good indication as to when babies are
ready to be weaned is when they reach
certain developmental stages:
• An ability to sit up
• A fading of the tongue-thrusting reflex
action
• Increasing demands for feeds that are
not related to illness, teething, pain or
a change in routine
• Hand to mouth co-ordination
• Purposeful jaw movement
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