A variety of weaning foods together with the baby's usual milk provide all the
nutrients required in a baby's diet.
First stage baby foods are used in the early stages of weaning (4 to 6/7
months). They include cereals, such as rice usually mixed with the baby's milk, or
smooth purées of foods that are easy for the baby to accept from a spoon.
Second stage baby foods (for older babies from about 7 months to 12 months) have
a thicker texture and contain bite size pieces to encourage chewing.
Foods for older babies (toddlers) cover the whole range of foods from milk-based
drinks and desserts to snacks and ready-meals and provide a further stepping
stone in the development of a young child's eating habits.
Although there are some chilled and frozen commercial baby foods available, the
main product types are:
- Ready to eat products – in glass jars, cans, pouches and other containers
- Dried foods – that need to be made up with milk or water
- Finger foods – for when babies are able to feed themselves
- Baby drinks – a more suitable alternative to adult drinks.
Both organic and non-organic weaning foods, as well as vegetarian and halaal
baby foods are also available.
For babies with additional nutritional requirements, a wide variety of products
that are milk-free, egg-free and gluten-free are also available.
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