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How and when to build to three meals a day?
When your baby first starts eating solid food they only need to be eating once a day. The nutrition your baby gets from food is always important, but the start of the weaning is about exploring, learning how to eat and adjusting to new routines.
When your baby first starts eating solid food they only need to eat once a day. The nutrition your baby gets from food is always important, but the start of weaning is about exploring, learning how to eat, and adjusting to new routines. Starting slowly with one meal a day is enough; plus it gives you the chance to adjust to this new phase of their life too.
Remember: your baby knows how much food they need, and it may not be more than a few mouthfuls at first. Don’t put extra pressure on yourself to be giving 3 meals a day immediately, instead focus on taking the time to sit and eat together, work out where meals best fit around milk feeds and sleeps and then build the extra two meals in slowly.
When should your baby be on three meals a day?
It is recommended that babies are on three meals a day by approximately 8 months of age. If you start at around 6 months you have a few weeks to move from those first tastes to eating more regularly. In my experience, the parents that take their time often find it an easier transition than those who try to get three meals into their routine straight away.
Try not to feel pressured and definitely don’t compare to what other parents are doing. This is your weaning journey, your baby and your decision. Do what feels right for you!
How to move on
Before you move on to additional meals you may find it easier to think about meals containing more foods groups.
For example, if you’re offering breakfast and you have successfully introduced dairy foods you could give our breakfast porridge with some fruit and yoghurt – that’s three food groups right there.
There’s no right or wrong way or time to start offering additional meals, but it’s a good idea that once you’ve started to offer them that you do so consistently rather than stopping and starting. This will help your baby adjust to their new routine.
We’ve put together a bit of a checklist to help you to work out whether to move on. You don’t have to be doing these things, but you may find it easier to move on if you are!
- Have you found a good time to offer a meal that fits between milk feeds?
- Have you found a good time to offer a meal that fits between naps?
- Are you managing to sit down and eat something with your baby?
- Do you feel confident that you could find the time to fit another meal in without it causing any anxiety or worry?
- Is mealtime becoming automatic to you? Does it feel like a natural part of your day?
- Are you enjoying the process?! If you aren’t – have a think about what you are finding difficult and try to work out how you can address it.
- Is it overwhelming? Don’t move on yet – find your feet a little better. Remember a happy parent is more likely to lead to a happy baby. Are you worried about choking? Do a first aid course, watch some good first aid content online and give yourself a little longer to adjust.
- Does it take too long? Try to be prepared in advance or ask your partner or a friend to help you to prep meals or use a jar from our range.
- Are you too tired? I wish I had an answer for this one, but sadly I don’t. Just know we’ve all been there. It won’t always feel like this!
If you don’t yet feel confident to move on, that’s absolutely fine. Take your time and remember that it is important for you both to enjoy this phase. Keep that 8-month mark in mind, depending on when you started you probably have around 8 weeks to transition to three meals a day , but if it takes a little longer, that’s ok too.
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Important notice: Breastfeeding is best. Follow on milk should only be used as part of a mixed diet from 6 months. Talk to a healthcare professional.
