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A POLL OF 1,000 PARENTS FOUND MORE THAN HALF NAMED WEANING AS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF PARENTHOOD, AND HALF ONLY HAD A VAGUE IDEA OF WHEN TO START IT CHARLOTTE MINETT 15:04, 21 May 2025 A

survey of 1,000 parents with children aged six months to four years revealed that over half (53%) consider weaning their biggest challenge, with many only having a 'vague idea' of

the right time to start. Additionally, two-thirds expressed concern over potential allergies in their children. To manage this, 36% introduced allergens one at a time, while over a quarter

(26%) adhered to official guidelines. Moreover, 36% feared their child might choke, and other worries included providing a balanced diet and ensuring all necessary nutrients were met.

Despite these concerns, yoghurt, smashed banana, and mashed sweet potato emerged as the most effective weaning foods, with 77% of parents feeling confident about what to introduce first.

After several attempts, 44% of infants seemed to enjoy their initial taste of solid food. Rebecca Wilson, a family food author collaborating with Yeo Valley Organic—which sponsored the

research and compiled a weaning guide—commented on the findings. She remarked: "Weaning can be a tough process but it's lovely to see parents felt confident and had a plan in

place." Wilson also noted the positive awareness among parents regarding their children's nutritional needs, adding: "It's encouraging to see so many are aware of

nutrients their children need and yogurt banana and sweet potato are perfect for the introduction of weaning. Article continues below "The importance of limiting babies' intake of

free-from sugar is very important to not only maintain strong dental health, but also ensure children do not get used to highly sweet flavours, thus enabling enjoyment of a varied nutritious

diet including non-sugary flavours like bitter greens and acidic vegetables. "By mixing real fruit with no added sugar into a bulk ingredient like yogurt, rather than solely offering

puréed fruits on their own which contain a very high amount of free-from sugar, you're able to expose babies to a varied flavourful diet without exposing them to an unhealthy high

sugar level." The study also uncovered other concerns parents had during weaning, such as the fear that their child would reject the food (31%), dealing with mess and food waste (21%),

and spending over five hours a week cleaning up after messy mealtimes (17%). Additionally, 23% of parents were keen to avoid giving their children too much salt or sugar, and the same

percentage were worried about getting portion sizes right. Consequently, a quarter of the respondents found this stage of their lives more stressful than anticipated. However, looking back,

nearly half (47%) wished they had known that weaning varies for each baby, and it's normal for babies to initially reject foods (39%) – understanding that it doesn't mean they

won't eventually come to enjoy them. And when it came to support, a heartening 75% felt they had the backing they needed from those around them, as revealed by the OnePoll figures.

According to Yeo Valley Organic's nutritionist Alice Mayor: "It's easy to feel discouraged if your baby isn't taking to solids straight away, but persistence and patience

are key. "As the research shows, yogurt is a great option to introduce more solids and textures into a diet as well as mashing up banana and blending veggies. Some babies dive right

in, while others need more time to explore. "Mealtimes should be a fun and relaxed experience, not a battle and there may be mess, but this is often a sign your child is enjoying

themselves. Trust that your baby will get there at their own pace and try to enjoy the messy and funny moments along the way." PARENTS' MAIN WORRIES ABOUT INTRODUCING BABIES TO

SOLID FOODS INCLUDE: Article continues below * Risks of choking. * Ensuring they receive sufficient nutrients. * Aversion to certain foods. * Managing a varied and balanced diet. * Fear that

the infant is not consuming enough food. * Distinguishing gagging from choking. * Fear of allergic reactions. * Managing salt and sugar intake. * Gastrointestinal issues such as

constipation or stomach upsets. * Understanding correct portion sizes.