46 | June 2020 |motherandbaby.co.uk
BE PATIENT WITH YOUR TOT...
If Indie’s not keen on trying something, I’ll
usually tell her not to worry, and take her away
for an hour to play, as she might be teething
or tired. It’s not necessarily always about the
food. Then we’ll go back a bit later and I’ll
offer it again and, nine times out of 10, she’ll
eat the food offered. I’m not someone who will
panic and get her a slice of toast or a bowl of
cereal – I let her work up an appetite and I think
that’s really important. If you stress and offer
something else, you’re just going to delay their
appetite, and they’ll struggle to sit at the table
again. I really believe in this approach.
IT’S OK TO FEEL NERVOUS...
Parents’ biggest fears are things like choking,
allergies, and how to start and what with. We
answer all those questions in the book in areally
simple way, so parents can think, “I’m going
through that,” “I feel that,” or “I’m not alone.”
The book is a great way of sharing the infothat
I’v e been providing on Instagram.
YOU CAN ADAPT YOUR OWN MEALS...
Getting your baby onto adult food as soon as
you can is really beneficial. Obviously, you
would take salt, honey and chilli, etc, out of the
meals you’d cook for yourself, but as long as the
texture is soft so they can swallow it easily, it’s
quite simple. It’s just a case of working through
textures, and then getting them used to different
flavours, and then they’ll start to eat the same
food as you – it doesn’t take long at all. It took us
about 11 months before Indie was pretty much
eating what we were. A lot of the recipes in the
book are designed for families to enjoy together.
It makes it easier and takes the pressure off you
having to make both ‘baby food’ and ‘adult food’.TRY AND EAT AS A FAMILY...
I know it’s not realistic to do every day, but when
you can, sit together to eat. Indie learnt to use
a spoon by watching me. Social skills promoted
through food are so important, and that’s why
I don’t have the TV on or get the iPad out when
we’re eating. We look at each other and talk.Weaning
should
be fun...
I want parents to go into their baby’s weaning
journey confidently and calmly, and to have fun
with it! In the book we talk about creating a nice
environment, and connecting through food. It’s such
a short stage of your baby’s development – it really
only lasts six months to a year. It’s not the intense
process you may think it is, so enjoying it
is key, and will hopefully help your
baby to develop healthy eating
habits for life.For more of Joe
andCharlotte’s
brilliant advice
and delicious
recipes, pick up
a copy ofWean
In 15 byJoe
Wicks (£16.99,
Bluebird), on
sale now.WEANINGSpecial