Weaning

General information

Weaning is the process of introduction of solid foods to a baby’s diet. It is also known as complementary feeding. It is essential as milk is no longer enough to provide the required nutrients for healthy growth and development over 6 months of age.

Current guidance suggests that weaning should take place at around 6 months of age. In some circumstances we recommend ‘early’ weaning, but never before 17 weeks of age. Please see Feeding Difficulties in Infants Under 6 Months – RefHelp for more information.

Delaying weaning beyond 6 months is not advised and can have serious long-term effects on children. There is a ‘window of opportunity’ for introduction of solid foods and it is important not to miss it.

We are keen to encourage families to give babies ‘real food’, ideally home-made to wean babies, rather than shop-bought pouches and jars as their main source of nutrients. Shop-bought baby food is usually highly-processed, high in sugar, and low in nutrients. It should be used sparingly in a baby’s diet. This will promote healthy eating, healthy weight gain, family eating and development of oromotor skills due to progression from smooth purees to lumpy textures and beyond. It is also far cheaper than buying baby food from shops. We recognise that many people lack basic cooking skills to enable them to feel comfortable cooking for their babies and children. In the resources section we have included a document with some online and face-to-face cooking courses that are active at the time of this guideline publication. We cannot keep this document updated but do get in touch if you find that schemes are no longer active or if new schemes become available via email to loth.medicalpaediatrics@nhs.scot  FAO Claire Hathorn.

There is excellent information for families here about weaning / complementary feeding:

Weaning – Start for Life – NHS

First Steps Nutrition Trust

Complementary feeding (weaning) – BDA

And for health professionals: BDA Complementary Feeding Statement – BDA

Weaning and allergies:

Families are often anxious about introducing allergens due to worry about allergies.  This is understandable, but delaying exposure to allergens actually increases the risk of allergies that may be life-long and life-threatening.

Key allergens are milk, eggs, wheat, fish, soya, sesame, peanuts and tree nuts (cashews, hazelnuts & almonds).

There is clear scientific evidence to support early introduction of allergens (from around 6 months of age) to babies’ diets to reduce the risk of allergy in the longer term. This is true for all babies, especially those with severe eczema / positive family history of allergy / atopy.

Foods should be introduced one at a time, when a baby is well, to determine whether or not they react. If babies have no reaction to a foodstuff, then it should be retained in their diets regularly for a few months to induce and maintain tolerance for it. For example, once peanut butter is known to be tolerated, it should be given 3 times every week for several months before reducing to desired (or ad hoc) frequency.

There is helpful information for families here:

Introducing foods that could trigger an allergic reaction – Start for Life – NHS

Weaning Support Pack | Allergy UK | National Charity

Families – Children and Young People’s Allergy Network Scotland

If babies have an allergic reaction (type 1 hypersensitivity) to an allergen, then carers should avoid giving it again until review by a doctor / dietician. Parents should however be encouraged to introduce other allergens to their child’s diet as planned, whilst waiting for appointments.

Breastfeeding mothers should not restrict their diets if their baby has an allergic reaction to solid food. For example, if a baby has a mild/moderate reaction to their first exposure to egg on weaning, the mother should continue to eat egg in her diet whilst breastfeeding. Please see specific guidance regarding egg allergy here: Egg Allergy – RefHelp

Infantile eczema is very common (up to 20% of children) and the majority is NOT food-related. Babies should be weaned normally with routine introduction of allergens. Good topical treatment should improve skin condition. Guidance is available here: Eczema, Atopic – RefHelp. This leaflet may be helpful for families: Food allergy and eczema

C.H & D.M – 17-8-26