Weaning

Knowing when and how to introduce your baby to solid foods can be both daunting and exciting. Check out these practical top tips from mum-of-two Michela Chiappa, and get ready to explore new flavours and textures with your baby.

Try to include your baby in mealtimes – the enjoyment of eating comes just as much from the shared experience as from the food itself. Give Michela Chiappa’s delicious turkey hot pot a go – perfect for the whole family.

Single mashed veg, such as parsnips, swede, carrots or sweet potatoes are all good first foods to try, but you can mash up meals that the rest of the family are eating, too, as long as there’s no added salt. For lots of recipe ideas, visit our weaning section.

It’s important to move quickly through different textures – your baby needs to learn to bite, chew and eat safely, helping with their speech development and allowing them to enjoy a wide variety of foods.

Introduce your baby to a wide range of savoury flavours, such as Michela’s smashed avo, basil & chicken – they won’t have a preconceived idea of what they like and don’t like yet, but, like anything, you may have to have a few goes before new foods are accepted.