For many parents, weaning can feel overwhelming, with questions around when to start, what to feed, and how to get it right.

Weaning is one of the most exciting milestones in a baby’s development. They begin exploring new tastes, textures and nutrients that support growth, brain development and lifelong eating habits.

Mbali Mapholi, specialist dietitian and Laager Rooibos partner, explains that weaning is really about building healthy habits, one small step at a time.

“You won’t be replacing milk overnight when weaning, but rather introducing babies to new flavours and textures while still meeting their nutritional needs through breastmilk or formula,” she says. “It’s a gradual, exploratory process that lays the foundation for healthy eating later in life.”

why the weaning stage matters

At around six months, babies begin to require additional nutrients such as iron and zinc to support rapid growth and development.

Mapholi says: “While breastmilk or formula remains the primary source of nutrition during the first year, the start of weaning is a valuable opportunity to introduce balanced, nutrient-rich foods and create a good foundation for your child with a range of healthy options”.

Introducing complementary foods also helps babies develop key feeding skills, such as chewing, swallowing and hand-to-mouth co-ordination, which can assist with other developmental areas like speech and development of fine motor skills.

when is it time to wean?

Most babies are ready to begin weaning at around six months: “Waiting until this time ensures that a baby’s digestive system is developed and ready for solids,” says Mapholi.

Signs of readiness include:

• Sitting with minimal support
• Good head and neck control
• Showing interest in food
• Opening their mouth when food is offered
• Ability to swallow food rather than pushing it out.

Find out what parents don’t always hear about feeding.

weaning tips

“Patience is key when introducing baby’s first foods,” says Mapholi. “This is a learning process for both baby and caregiver, so try not to get too stressed about the process.” She shares the following tips:

Step 1: start slowly

Begin with small portions once a day and build gradually. Focus on nutrient-dense foods, including iron-rich foods like lentils, eggs and vegetables. Introduce one food at a time, as this helps identify allergies or sensitivities. Starting too early or introducing too many new foods at once can interfere with milk intake and may strain a baby’s developing digestive system.

Step 2: small portions

Small tastes and exploration are normal at the beginning, so rushing and getting frustrated with a baby who eats very little can negatively affect the weaning process.

Step 3: offer a healthy variety

Offer variety early, as this encourages early acceptance of different flavours. Starting with overly sweet foods may influence taste preferences and reduce acceptance of vegetables. Don’t add sugar or salt – babies’ kidneys are still developing.

Step 4: get messy!

Let babies explore by getting messy – this is part of learning! Mess can always be cleaned up, and the baby will enjoy exploring the textures and tastes of the different foods.

Enjoy the process. Experiment with flavours, follow your baby’s cues and remember that every small step contributes to their long-term health and wellbeing.”

Also read our article on weaning onto solids.

Laager Rooibos recipes

Mapholi notes that homemade meals are one of the best ways to introduce babies to solids:

“Using Laager Rooibos in recipes is a simple way to add natural flavour without sugar, as it is naturally caffeine-free and gentle on little tummies!”

Apple and pear purée

Ingredients:

• 1 apple, peeled and chopped
• 1 pear, peeled and chopped
• ½ cup brewed and cooled Laager Tea4Kidz Rooibos & Honeybush.

Method:

Place fruit in a small pot, add rooibos tea and simmer until soft. Then blend or mash to the desired consistency.

Butternut and carrot purée

Ingredients:

• ½ cup chopped butternut
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• ½ cup brewed Laager Tea4Kidz Original Rooibos.

Method:

Steam vegetables using rooibos tea until tender. Blend until smooth, adding extra rooibos if needed.

Banana and oat baby porridge

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp oats
• ½ cup brewed Laager Tea4Kidz Rooibos & Honeybush
• ½ banana, mashed.

Method:

Cook oats in rooibos tea until soft. Then stir in mashed banana. Cool before serving.

Berry ice lollies for teething

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brewed and cooled Laager Tea4Kidz Strawberry Rooibos
• ½ cup strawberries
• ½ banana.

Method:

Blend ingredients until smooth. Pour into moulds and freeze. Serve in a silicone feeder for younger babies.

Mango and peach teething pops

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brewed Laager Tea4Kidz Original Rooibos
• ½ cup mango
• ½ cup peach.

Method:

Blend fruit with Laager Rooibos tea. Freeze in moulds until firm.

Top tip

Freeze homemade purées into an ice tray (preferably with a lid). This allows you to portion them out and only use what you need. Simply defrost the cubes as you need them!

shaping a lifelong relationship with food

“Weaning is more than introducing food; it’s about shaping a child’s lifelong relationship with eating. By focusing on variety, patience and balanced nutrition, moms can set the stage for healthy habits that last well beyond infancy,” concludes Mapholi.

Laager Tea4Kidz Rooibos can be purchased from all major supermarkets, and online at www.joekels.co.za.