THE PARENTS’ GUIDE TO BABY‑LED WEANING

Answers all the “whys” and “hows” when it comes to embarking on the exciting (and sometimes challenging) journey of baby-led weaning.

Baby-led weaning means starting your baby on real table food from the start (at about 6 months old, depending on your baby) and skipping the purée stage completely. This means offering babies a selection of nutritious finger foods so they feel like they’re joining in on family meals.

Baby-led weaning is especially popular with second and third children, because they’re so keen to mimic their older siblings. Baby-led weaning supports a baby’s motor development skills at an earlier age and can lead to healthier eating habits and body weights. And quite often, finger foods are more nutritious than purées.

Topics in The Parent’s Guide to Baby-Led Weaning include:

• Tips for getting started with baby-led weaning, including signs of readiness

• Information on safe foods and progressing food sizes as your baby develops

• Strategies for dealing with food allergies

• Advice for vegetarian families

• Guidelines for modifying family meals

• Starter recipes, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, desserts

Expert Jennifer House addresses all the questions hesitant parents may have, offering sage advice on choking concerns, when your baby is ready to begin, how to ensure that your baby gets enough of all the important nutrients, how to deal with the frustration of “defending” baby-led weaning to family and friends, how to cope with food allergies, advice for vegetarian families and so much more.

All the information a parent needs is right here in this indispensable how-to guide, along with 125 nutritious recipes that will be enjoyed by baby and the entire family.

Select talking points:

• Did you know most babies don't need purees and can feed themselves real food at 6 months
• Did you know that baby-led weaning can help to prevent picky eating
• Did you know that most family meals can be modified for a baby, so you don't have to make your baby separate food
• Did you know that adolescents who have regular family meals not only have a more nutritious diet, but get better grades in school and are less likely to be involved in risky activities like drug and alcohol use
• Babies are able to eat a selection of really nutritious finger foods like banana, egg, meat, poultry and the ever-popular avocado
• Babies feel like they’re truly joining in on the family meals, and because they’re so keen to mimic their parents and siblings, they typically take to it right away
• Baby-led weaning encourages enhanced motor skills at an earlier age and often leads to healthier eating habits — and, let’s be honest, the whole process is just so much easier and fun for parents and baby alike!

JENNIFER HOUSE, MSc, RD, has been a registered dietitian for over 14 years and offers in-person and online programs that help her clients make the right choices for a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. As a mother of three, Jennifer can relate to the many benefits and joys of baby-led weaning. She is the owner of First Step Nutrition and loves speaking to mom’s groups across the globe.

Jennifer has a BSc in Nutrition & Food Sciences from the University of Alberta and an MSc in Human Nutrition from the University of British Columbia. She has been a Dietitians of Canada member blogger and regional Nutrition Month media rep since 2012. Jennifer resides in Calgary, Alberta