Children’s cookery expert, Annabel Karmel, has some easy ways to introduce meat to your baby when weaning onto solid foods.
Posted: 24 November 2009
It’s important to include meat in your baby’s diet from around 6-7 months. It provides a fantastic source of iron, which is particularly valuable because your baby’s iron supplies start to deplete from the age of 6 months, and your breastmilk alone won’t provide your baby with enough nutrients.
The Department of Health recommends introducing solids at 6 months. However, I prefer to wean at around 5 months (as long as your baby isn’t premature and is a good weight – your health visitor will be able to advise you). This gives you time to introduce a variety of fruit and vegetables to your baby before offering meat. It also means that your baby will move on to lumpy food earlier – some babies can be lazy about chewing if weaning is left until 6 months. The muscles your baby uses to chew will also help with her speech development, so it’s good to introduce texture.
Introducing chicken first, then red meat, works best in my opinion. Mixing meat with root vegetables such as sweet potato gives it a taste and texture babies enjoy.
For some tasty, nutritious meal ideas for your baby that include meat, try Braised Beef with Sweet Potato or Chicken with vegetables, along with other delicious recipes for first foods in our recipes section.
