1-Week Baby Weaning Planner, Recipes, and Tips for Success

A quick introduction to weaning

Since you've landed on this page, you may already know a thing or two about weaning – but at doddl, we like to make sure you're covered and give you everything you need to know for your weaning journey – including common weaning markers  and the different approaches you can take to go  from milk to solids.

So, in this guide, we'll dive into:

• Tips for diversifying flavours and textures Learn how to introduce your baby to a wide variety of tastes and textures to help them develop a love for healthy foods.
• Sample veg-first weaning meal plan Get inspired with a sample meal plan that puts vegetables at the forefront of your baby's weaning journey.
• Quick and easy 7-day meal planner Take the guesswork out of meal planning with our 7-day planner, including ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

But that's not all! We'll make sure you're fully prepared with a comprehensive weaning essentials checklist. Whether you're a first-time parent or have been through the weaning process before, this guide will provide you with the information and tools you need to make your baby's introduction to solid foods a delightful and nourishing experience.

So, let's discover the wonderful world of weaning!

The importance of nutritious foods

As you introduce solid foods to your baby's diet, it's essential to focus on nutrient-dense options that provide the energy and building blocks they need to thrive. Offer a rainbow of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to ensure your little one receives a wide range of vitamins and minerals to support their growth and development.

Homemade baby food is a fantastic way to control the quality and ingredients in your baby's meals. By preparing food at home, you can avoid added sugars, salt, and preservatives often found in store-bought options. Plus, you can tailor the texture and consistency to your baby's developmental stage and preferences, ensuring a fun and enjoyable eating experience.

Remember, every baby is unique. Some may dive right in and embrace a variety of flavours, while others may need a little more time and encouragement. Trust your instincts, and don't hesitate to get creative in the kitchen – you might be surprised by the delicious combinations your baby enjoys!

Diversifying flavours and textures

Introducing your baby to a wide variety of flavours and textures during weaning is crucial for their development and future eating habits. Research suggests that exposing babies to a diverse range of foods early on can help prevent picky eating and encourage a more balanced diet later in life.

When starting solids, it's important to remember that it can take multiple exposures (sometimes up to 10-15 times) before a baby accepts a new food. Don't be discouraged if your little one rejects a new taste or texture at first – keep offering it in a relaxed and positive manner, and let your baby explore at their own pace.

As your baby becomes more comfortable with solids, gradually increase the texture and variety of foods offered. You can choose between two approaches: traditional purees or baby-led weaning (BLW).

With traditional weaning, begin with smooth, single-ingredient purees, then move on to mashed and lumpy consistencies, and eventually to soft, finger-sized pieces. This progression helps your baby develop essential oral motor skills and prepares them for the transition to table foods.

Alternatively, the BLW approach skips purees altogether and encourages self-feeding with soft, finger-sized pieces of food from the start. This method allows babies to explore different textures and shapes while developing their hand-eye coordination and chewing skills.

Whichever approach you choose, the goal is to expose your baby to a wide variety of flavours and textures to foster a lifelong love of healthy eating. Using ergonomic baby cutlery  can make this transition easier and more enjoyable for your little one. The specially designed handles and soft-touch materials encourage a proper grip and promote successful self-feeding, helping your baby develop independence and confidence at mealtimes.

7-day baby food planner

Now that you're familiar with the basics of weaning and the importance of offering a variety of nutrient-dense foods, it's time to put that knowledge into practice! To help you get started, we've created a sample 7-day baby food menu that includes a mix of homemade recipes and shop-bought options.

This menu is just an example, and you can feel free to swap out meals or snacks based on your baby's preferences and your family's lifestyle. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to weaning, and it's essential to follow your baby's lead and trust your instincts.

Day of the Week	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Monday	Apple Oat Pancakes	Creamy Pea and Mint Pasta	Baked salmon with mashed sweet potato and steamed green beans	Apple Pie Flax Muffins
Tuesday	Cheese and Broccoli Muffins	Lentil and vegetable soup with soft-cooked pasta	Iron Rich Tomato and Spinach Pasta	Mango and Coconut Yoghurt Bark
Wednesday	Carrot Cake Porridge Fingers	Red Pepper Muffins	Quinoa and black bean "burrito bowl" with mild salsa and shredded cheese	Iron Rich Tomato and Spinach Pasta
Thursday	Spiced Baked Oats	Iron Rich Tomato and Spinach Pasta	Red Pepper Muffins	Blueberry Oaty Bars
Friday	Scrambled eggs with finely chopped spinach and avocado	Cheese and Broccoli Muffins	Baked chicken with mashed butternut squash and steamed broccoli	Jammy French Toast Roll-Ups
Saturday	Apple Pie Chia Pudding	Red Pepper Muffins	Lentil and vegetable soup with soft-cooked pasta	Raspberry and Coconut Mini Loaves
Sunday	Whole-grain toast fingers with almond butter and mashed berries	Creamy Pea and Mint Pasta	Turkey and vegetable meatballs with mashed potatoes and steamed carrots	Apple Pie Flax Muffins

For more recipe inspiration, check out our collection of weaning recipes for babies.

Veg-first weaning guide

Many experts recommend starting with vegetables when introducing solids to your baby. This approach, known as "veg-first weaning," can help your little one develop a taste for savoury flavours and discourage a preference for sweet foods.

Some of the best vegetables to start with include:

• Sweet potato
• Butternut squash
• Carrot
• Broccoli
• Peas
• Courgette

To get started with veg-first weaning, try offering a single vegetable puree once a day, gradually increasing the frequency and variety as your baby becomes more accustomed to solids. Here's a sample veg-first meal plan to help you get started:

• Day 1: Steamed and pureed sweet potato
• Day 2: Steamed and pureed butternut squash
• Day 3: Steamed and pureed carrot
• Day 4: Steamed and pureed broccoli
• Day 5: Steamed and pureed peas
• Day 6: Steamed and pureed courgette
• Day 7: A mix of your baby's favourite vegetable purees

Remember to introduce one new vegetable at a time, allowing a few days in between to watch for any signs of allergies or digestive issues.

Your weaning essentials checklist

To make your weaning journey as smooth as possible, it's helpful to have the right tools and equipment on hand. Here are some must-have items for your weaning kit:

1. High chair or booster seat
2. Suction bowl or plate
3. Bibs with catch pockets
4. Open cup
5. Baby food maker or blender
6. Storage containers for homemade baby food
7. Soft-tipped spoons, like the ergonomic doddl baby cutlery  to encourage self-feeding

Your baby food planner - a recipe for success

Weaning is an exciting adventure filled with new flavours, textures, and experiences for both you and your baby. By focusing on nutritious foods, exploring different weaning approaches, and following your baby's lead, you'll set the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.

Remember, our 7-day baby food planner is just a starting point. Use it as inspiration to create your own meal plans, and don't be afraid to get creative in the kitchen. Trust your instincts, embrace the journey, and enjoy watching your little one thrive.

To make your weaning journey even more enjoyable and stress-free, be sure to check out our range of baby-feeding products, including the ergonomic doddl toddler cutlery designed to encourage self-feeding and develop fine motor skills. And for more delicious and nutritious recipe ideas, visit our weaning recipes  collection.

Happy weaning!