SPECIAL SOMERSET FEATURE: The right foods for weaning children

12:50pm Saturday 11th October 2008

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Misconceptions about weaning could be inadvertently denying children in the South West a nutritionally balanced weaning diet, according to new research by SMA Nutrition.

In the South West 52% of mums incorrectly believed a variety of healthy weaning foods – including green leafy vegetables, red meat, chicken and breakfast cereals – were unsuitable. On the flip side, 9% thought certain foods, not recommended as part of a weaning diet, were ok to include, potentially impacting on their baby’s nutritional start in life.

Off the menu 84% of mums in the South West surveyed believed they could not give their children eggs, when they are perfectly fine if well cooked. In addition, 82% wrongly thought red meat was a no go area when, in fact, it’s a particularly good source of iron, which can often be lacking in the weaning diet. 68% thought pasta was definitely off the menu, but again, it can actually form a healthy part of a weaning diet.

Drink up!

There was also confusion around baby’s drink. Of those surveyed, 21% believed that follow-on milk and cows’ milk have equal benefits, when in fact cows’ milk doesn’t contain all the nutrients that babies need and shouldn’t be used as a main drink until one year of age. Cows’ milk is low in iron (0.7% RNI1, in a 180 ml portion), a crucial nutrient for weaning.

Iron is crucial for growth and development and vitamin C helps to ensure its good absorption from foods – there are insufficient quantities of both in cows’ milk. For this reason, follow-on milks such as SMA Progress, which has added vitamin C and Iron (29% of the RNI1 in a 180 ml portion), should be used during the weaning period.

Julia Wolman, expert nutritionist, comments, ‘There’s evidently a lot of confusion amongst mums in the South West when it comes to which foods are suitable for weaning. Babies need a variety of foods from different food groups to ensure they get all the nutrients they need. Follow-on milks contain higher levels of iron and vitamin D than cows’ milk; both are essential for healthy growth and development. Follow-on milks can therefore form an important part of a well balanced weaning diet that encourages baby to start enjoying family foods’.

Keep it simple!

The research revealed that 70% of mums would have found it useful to have simple, straightforward weaning advice available to them, with 11% feeling confused about the current information available. Ensuring their baby has a well-balanced and nutritious diet is a top priority for a parent, which is why SMA Nutrition has developed a simple, practical booklet on weaning your toddler. The ‘From First Tastes to Family Food’ booklet, plus an SMA Progress money-off voucher, is available by calling the SMA Careline free on 0800 089 0075.

The SMA Careline advisers are all mums themselves, and they are supported by an expert team of healthcare professionals, so you can be confident the information you receive is up-to-date and accurate. For further information call the SMA Careline or visit www.smanutrition.co.uk.

THE SMA WEANING SHOPPING LIST To help you when you’re out shopping for your baby, SMA has developed a quick and easy shopping list!

1: Fruits and vegetables * Bananas are top of the list because they are an easy weaning fruit, but most fruits and vegetables are suitable.

* Potatoes, carrots and other root vegetables, cook and mash nicely for young babies; older babies can hold lightly cooked fingers of vegetables and feed themselves.

*Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit are a great source of vitamin C.

2: Starchy foods * Bread, rice, pasta and potatoes will give your baby energy, B vitamins and fibre.

* Don’t use wholemeal versions of bread, rice and pasta for every meal, as too much fibre is not appropriate for baby’s needs at this stage.

3: Dairy products * Cheese, yogurt and fromage frais are all suitable weaning foods * Buy full fat versions for your baby as they need the extra energy.

4: Protein foods * Meat, chicken, fish, beans, lentils, and tofu are all good sources of protein and are fine for your baby.

* Chicken and fish are easier to puree for young babies than red meat.

5: Drinks * Babies don’t need extra drinks other than breast milk or infant formula for the first six months.

* From six months, your baby can have fruit juice that is diluted.

l In hot weather encourage your baby to drink water.

Don’t buy… * Avoid salty foods like crisps, stock cubes, soy sauce, ketchup and pickles.

* Don’t add salt to your baby’s food.

* Avoid very spicy foods.

* Don’t let your baby have foods such as nuts that are hard and round and could cause choking.