Starting solid food

This week we’re talking weaning as in starting food, rather than weaning from the breast. I’m joined by Cordelia Uys, an NCT breastfeeding counsellor who supports parents with introducing solids, to answer your questions about all things food. 

You can hear more from Cordelia on her website https://www.cordeliauys.co.uk/ and follow here on instagram @‌cordeliauys.

Questions answered in this episode - 

2:10 Why is the recommendation to introduce solids around six months?
7:22 Do you ever think there's a time when it's appropriate to introduce solid food before six months?
10:39 What about parents with allergies in the family?
12:14 Are there times when you think it might be appropriate to delay the onset of solids?
15:48 Should we be worried about iron levels after six months?
16:54 I'm going back to work at six months, but I don't want to miss starting my baby on solids. Any suggestions?
18:31 What is baby led weaning? And how is it different from spoon feeding/purees? Does it have to be one or the other?
27:10 Is there a risk of choking with baby-led weaning?
33:56 How do you avoid engorgement/mastitis when a baby starts eating solids?
39:32 When do you start worrying about whether you’ve got to three meals a day?
42:51 How do you suggest that families introduce water? And how can they make sure they're giving the right amount?
46:30 What do you say to parents about introducing foods and whether it should it be in a particular order?
49:45 If somebody has a minor allergic reaction, what would that look like and what do they need to possibly do if that happens?
51:23 What are the sort of foods that we really do stay away from in infancy?
55:35 At what point should you look at breastfeeding frequency in relation to lack of solid intake? What should you do when a toddler still very much prefers milk to having solid 18 months plus? My health visitor is suggesting I wean from breastfeeding, is that necessary?

Find out more about breastfeeding and chest feeding older babies and children in my book Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond: A Guide for Professionals and Parents

Follow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com

Resources mentioned - 

Choking video: Children First Aid: Choking baby - YouTube

Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (UK) on feeding in the first year, with discussion on why solids at 6 months: Feeding in the first year of life: SACN report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

November 2022 newsletter — First Steps Nutrition Trust (discussion of allergy studies)

Why Starting Solids Matters - Pinter & Martin Publishers (pinterandmartin.com)

The Baby-led Weaning Cookbook (penguin.co.uk)

For more resources and Instagram accounts to follow see Transcript

This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.