Tag: weaning
Development of Newborn Senses
Early Learning Activity Toys
SIGHT
Newborn’s can only see things close up, about 20cms away from them. So when your baby’s being held they’ll be able to see your face, which makes this close contact a great way to bond.
Contrasting colours such as black and white are great for newborns to look at. At around 2 months your baby can distinguish colours and will enjoy mobiles.
At 6 months, new faces and objects are catching your baby’s attention and at 8 months your baby’s vision will be fully developed.
TASTE
It’s no wonder babies like sweet tasting foods, milk is naturally sweet. From 3 months onwards your baby will probably try to put what they can into their mouth, and when teething starts this will heighten their desire to have a good chew on things!
HEARING
Your baby listened to your voice in utero so will recognise it when they’re born and associate this with comfort. Hearing isn’t properly developed when a baby is newborn. At around 1 month old they’ll react to loud noises. Babies learn to associate certain sounds with happy events, so it’s important to make singing and music a fun and special part of the day with your baby. Music is a wonderful way to soothe your baby and develop their hearing and sense of tone.
TOUCH
Touch is essential for babies, kisses and cuddles make your baby feel secure. Babies love to explore with their hands and when weaning, will often squash food before eating it to understand what it feels like. Toys and books with texture really encourage play and development.
SMELL
Newborns have a good sense of smell and will know your natural scent from birth. Babies find your natural scent comforting, so try not to wear any perfume or scented creams for the first few months so your baby can enjoy your natural scent. By the age of 1 your baby will be able to recognise foods by their smell.
For further baby sensory development and a great way to have fun with your baby, you can join a local Baby Sensory Class.
Healthy Eating for Families
As a Nutritional Advisor I’m passionate about healthy eating, nutrition, organic produce and getting back to nature.
Food should be fun, natural and fresh. Healthy eating ensures you get all the right nutrients from your food to provide you with the best possible health and wellbeing.
Riverford is my favourite choice for fresh, organic produce. There’s a fantastic selection of organic produce including veg, fruit, meat, cheese, bread, dairy and more. There’s free delivery on all of Riverford’s fruit, veg and meat box orders. Riverford grow their own and deliver only the best fresh organic produce across the UK.
My baby is in the process of weaning and we’re having great fun experimenting with fruit and veg. It’s hugely entertaining watching the expressions she makes as she tries something new, or if my latest recipe doesn’t taste quite as she expected! One of the great joys of being a parent is helping my baby learn about good nutrition, healthy eating and living well.
Riverford Organics have just launched their brand new iPhone app, with over 770 searchable recipes – inspired by their Field Kitchen restaurant and the recipes they write for their organic vegboxes. Check it out Riverford iPhone App.
Riverford are currently giving away a free copy of their bestselling book Riverford Farm Cook Book RRP £16.99 when you order one of their brilliant veg boxes.
The Riverfood Farm Cook Book is full of original recipes and is a wonderful companion to your veg box, providing delicious recipes to bring out the best in your veg box.
The Best Baby Weaning Products
Beaba Babycook Duo
Have fun with natural organic foods for your baby even in the early stages, everything your baby eats contributes to their health and wellbeing. I highly recommend good nutrition from the first spoonful of food your baby tastes.
The Beaba Babycook Duo Steamer and Blender will make your life a breeze when weaning your baby. It is an all-in-one Steamer, Cooker, Blender and Defroster. Saving you time and space in your kitchen!
When first weaning your baby it’s all about trying foods and getting a taste for them, getting used to solids and swallowing food rather than milk. It’s not about eating specific amounts of food as your baby will still need milk for 100% of their nutrition in the early days of weaning.
I love the Annabel Karmel Food Masher and Bowl
The bowl has inner ridges to help make mashing ever so quick and easy and the handle grip prevents slipping, as does the non-slip base on the bowl.
The Annabel Karmel Food Masher and Bowl is really convenient when you’re on the go or travelling, just pop in the soft fruit (some great fruits to try are banana, avocado, pear and peach) and cooked veg (you can try carrots, sweet potato, parsnip and swede) and you’ll have tasty and nutritious food for your baby in seconds.
Annabel Karmel’s New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner
which is a very handy book providing advice on what, when and how to wean, as well as including meal planners for the different stages of progression onto solids.
I frequently refer to Annabel Karmel’s New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner which is bright and colourful with over 200 varied and easy recipes for purees and baby meals.
These recipes help to ensure your baby is getting the right combination of nutrients, proteins, carbs and fats. This book has certainly helped to make my life as a Mummy easier!
And when weaning you will certainly need some good bibs for your baby so we’ve selected the best baby bibs – these are truly brilliant!
