Weaning is the hardest part of being a parent, say new mums and dads

A survey of 1,000 parents with infants aged six months to four years revealed that over half (53%) see weaning as a top challenge, with many only having a hazy idea of when to begin the process. Moreover, two-thirds are fretful over potential allergies in their child, but 36% tackle this by introducing allergens one at a time, and over a quarter (26%) adhere to official guidelines diligently.

Also, a significant 36% of parents harbour fears about choking, alongside other worries such as providing a nutritious and balanced diet for their little ones. Nevertheless, with these concerns taken into account, the go-to weaning foods emerge as yoghurt, smashed banana, and mashed sweet potato – considered the best starter options after 77% of parents expressed confidence in their choices.

Additionally, solid food proves to be a hit with 44%t of bubs appreciating them after some initial trials. Child nutrition expert and family cookbook writer Rebecca Wilson, collaborating with Yeo Valley Organic who led the study, compiled a set of stellar weaning tips.

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Wilson remarks: "Weaning can be a tough process but it's lovely to see parents felt confident and had a plan in place." She adds: "It's encouraging to see so many are aware of nutrients their children need and yogurt banana and sweet potato are perfect for the introduction of weaning.

"The importance of limiting babies' intake of free-from sugar is very important to not only maintain strong dental health, but also ensure children do not get used to highly sweet flavours, thus enabling enjoyment of a varied nutritious diet including non-sugary flavours like bitter greens and acidic vegetables.

"By mixing real fruit with no added sugar into a bulk ingredient like yogurt, rather than solely offering puréed fruits on their own which contain a very high amount of free-from sugar, you're able to expose babies to a varied flavourful diet without exposing them to an unhealthy high sugar level."

The research went on to find other worries weaners had included concerns that they would reject the food (31%) and managing mess and food waste (21%). With 17% spending more than five hours a week cleaning up after messy mealtimes. While 23% wanted to avoid too much salt or sugar and the same amount were anxious about getting portion sizes right.

As a result, a quarter found the whole period of their lives more stressful than they expected it to be. But looking back, 47% wish they'd known that weaning is different for every baby, and that it's normal for babies to reject foods at first (39%) – and it doesn't mean they won't learn to enjoy them. And 75% did feel supported during the process by the people around them, according to the OnePoll stats.

Alice Mayor, a nutritionist at Yeo Valley Organic, has offered some words of encouragement for parents struggling with weaning their babies onto solids. She said: "It's easy to feel discouraged if your baby isn't taking to solids straight away, but persistence and patience are key."

She suggested that yoghurt can be a great way to introduce more solid foods and textures into a baby's diet, along with mashed banana and blended vegetables. "Some babies dive right in, while others need more time to explore."

She also emphasised the importance of making mealtimes enjoyable rather than stressful, saying: "Mealtimes should be a fun and relaxed experience, not a battle and there may be mess, but this is often a sign your child is enjoying themselves. Trust that your baby will get there at their own pace and try to enjoy the messy and funny moments along the way."

TOP 10 WEANING CONCERNS:

Choking hazards

Making sure baby gets enough nutrients

Baby rejecting food

Ensuring a balanced diet

Fear of baby not eating enough

Knowing how to handle gagging vs choking

Allergic reactions

Avoiding too much salt or sugar

Dealing with constipation or upset stomach

Understanding portion sizes