Introducing the Babymoov stress less weaning campaign + Weaning plan
Around 7,500 parents a week start to wean their babies, and according to studies, the process of weaning a child is considered one of the main contributors of stress in parents.
Questions are endless and although there is a bountiful library of advice available, which can cause confusion amongst parents, especially as these recommendations conflict and change over time. In May 2016, Babymoov launched the #Stresslessweaning campaign to help banish the fears commonly expressed by parents when they start to wean their baby.
With the help of nutritionist Julia WOLMAN, 6 lifestyle bloggers, recruited to showcase their family’s weaning journey utilizing a Babymoov nutribaby food maker will be reporting on how they tackle the familiar challenges associated with introducing solids, showing how to banish parents’ worries and discovering how to make weaning fun, not stressful.
In May 2016, Babymoov launched the #Stresslessweaning campaign to help banish the fears commonly expressed by parents when they start to wean their baby. With the help of nutritionist Julia WOLMAN, 6 lifestyle bloggers, recruited to showcase their family’s weaning journey utilizing a Babymoov nutribaby food maker will be reporting on how they tackle the familiar challenges associated with introducing solids, showing how to banish parents’ worries and discovering how to make weaning fun, not stressful.
Julia WOLMAN is registered with the UK’s Association for Nutrition and a member of the professional nutrition consultant network, SENSE. With over a decade of experience working with NHS Trusts across London, she has delivered training to schools and children’s centers, and running healthy eating projects for local families. In 2007, Julia joined MEND Central, an obesity organization, where she co-developed an internationally successful obesity reduction programme for 2-4 year olds and their families. Since becoming a mother, she has offered consultancy on behalf of health organizations and nurseries, as well as writing for a number of publications. For the past five years, Julia has been offering weaning support and advice to parents directly.
“Weaning can be a very stressful time for parents and with all the advice available, from different practitioners, websites, books, friends and family members, it can sometimes feel like information overload. I’m delighted to have joined the Babymoov team where I will be drawing upon my experience as a registered nutritionist and mom of two to provide support and advice to the Babymoov Stress-Less Weaning Programme”.
Julia WOLMAN
WEANING PLAN
6+ months - First Food (no earlier than 17 weeks)
Start with 1-2 spoons of smooth puree or mash, or tastes of finger food, once a day.
This can be approx an hour after a milk feed if in the morning or in the middle of a milk feed if mid-morning or afternoon.
Once baby is happy with first tastes, increase to 6-12 spoons, or more finger foods, once a day.
When this first “meal” is going well, progress to twice a day.
Milk Feeds
All milk feeds should continue as normal during first stages of weaning
At least 4 breastfeeds or formula feeds are usually required per 24 hours.
6-9 months - “Stage 2”
Continue as above with 2 meals, moving to 3 meals a day by around 7 months.
Once baby is having 3 meals per day, offer dessert at lunch and supper.
Progress to thicker mashes and then soft lumps, and offer spoon-feed babies soft finger foods at every meal.
Increase variety of foods* offered so that baby’s diet includes meat, chicken, fish, pulses, eggs, bread, pasta, dairy.
(*unless otherwise advised by clinician)
Milk Feeds
Once baby is having 3 meals per day, gradually drop ONE milk feed. Usually, this is the mid-morning feed.
At least 3 milk feeds are usually required per 24 hours.
Night feeding (i.e. after 7pm) should stop now.
9-12 months - “Stage 3”
Continue with 3 meals per day, plus healthy snacks if baby wants (and if it fits in with naps!)
There are no set portion sizes so be guided by your baby. Start with small amounts and offer more if baby wants it.
Milk Feeds
Gradually drop another milk feed - usually this is the afternoon milk
By 12 months, baby should be having just early morning and bedtime milk. I.e. 2 feeds per day.