The staple typical Kenyan weaning dish seems to be porridge, pumpkin and spinach. But, is this a balanced meal? The most important concern during weaning is to ensure that there is no gap between your baby’s nutrient requirement and what your baby is able to eat, absorb and utilize. If your baby is older than 6 months and not ready to start eating solid foods, give your baby more time old just be patient. Some babies will take longer to develop so try not to rush your child.
Some signs that your baby is ready to eat include:
- Your baby can sit up on their own, with little support
- Have doubled their birth weight
- Seems interested in what you are eating;
- Opens their mouth to accept food when offered;
- Is able to take food from a spoon and close lips over the spoon;
- Is able to turn away or show cues that they are full and do not want any other food.
Tips to consider when introducing solids to your baby:
- Choose a time when you and the baby are most relaxed
- Start with a spoonful of single grain food, e.g. Rice cereal or maize meal porridge
- After a while, slowly increase the food at the end of the feed up to 3 or 4 teaspoons
- Always sit your baby upright when feeding solids
- Introduce one food at a time – introduce foods that the family normally eat
