Within this blog, our expert visual merchandisers have put together a beautiful style guide packed with key accessories to help you bring your dream nursery to life. Whether you're starting from scratch or adding the finishing touches, this visual inspiration will help you create a warm, welcoming space that’s full of charm and personality.

The Easter bank holiday is the perfect time to slow down, nest, and create a beautiful nursery ready for your little one’s arrival. Whether you’re expecting your first baby or refreshing a space for a growing family, this weekend offers the perfect opportunity to transform your nursery into something truly special.

Here at CuddleCo, we understand that shopping for your baby’s mattress can be an overwhelming experience with the number of options out there. The technical vocabulary used to describe the different types of baby mattresses can make it hard to understand what’s best for your child.

The aim of this blog post is to break down the most important considerations when choosing a mattress for your little one and hopefully in return, make your mattress shopping experience less stressful.

Buying a mattress for your baby is most definitely not the most exciting or cutest purchase you’ll make in the run up to your little one’s arrival. But definitely one of the most important.

According to the NHS, most newborn babies are asleep more than they are awake and can sleep anything from 8 hours up to 18. So, ensuring they have a suitable mattress is essential.

The First 6 Months

For the first 6 months your baby should always be in the same room as you while they sleep. Most parents decide to purchase a bedside crib or moses basket for this reason, as they’re lightweight enough to move around the house. Some of these products may already come with a crib mattress, so you don’t have to buy one separately, like our Aria Crib. But be sure to check.

Transitioning From Crib to Cot Bed

Once your little one is ready to transition to their own room you will probably have purchased a cot or cot bed for them to sleep in. This is when you will need to upgrade their mattress. The size you need will depend on whether you need it to fit a cot or cot bed.

Most cots will require a 120 x 60cm mattress, and cot beds a 140 x 70cm mattress. However, we would recommend checking this is the case for the cot or cot bed you’ve purchased.

Important Things to Remember

One of the most important things to keep in mind when shopping for your baby’s mattress is to ensure that it’s the correct size for your baby’s crib, cot, or cot bed. Other key features to look for is that the mattress is firm, flat, and waterproof, as recommended by the Lullaby Trust.

Introducing CuddleCo Mattresses

All CuddleCo mattresses are designed and made in the UK with your baby in mind. Each mattress has a 2-in-1 cover where one side features a knitted bamboo material, made with naturally hypo-allergenic bamboo fibres, and the reverse is a waterproof training side.

The cover can be removed for easy cleaning in the washing machine, perfect for those unexpected accidents in the middle of the night.

Along with having potty training covered, CuddleCo mattresses are breathable to ensure your little one gets a restful night’s sleep.

The Difference Between Our Mattresses

When browsing our range of baby mattresses, you’ll notice a few key differences between each product:

• The mattress filling
• The mattress depth
• The price

Different Mattress Fillings

First up, is the filling of the mattress. This simply refers to what’s inside the mattress and whether it’s foam, sprung, or pocket sprung.

Foam Core

Hypo-allergenic, supportive foam ensures ultimate comfort for your little one.

Open Sprung

Hand-made open springs, crafted to deliver long-lasting support for your baby.

Pocket Sprung

Individual pocket springs contour to your baby’s body for maximum comfort and support.

Mattress Depth

All CuddleCo mattresses are maximum 10cm in depth to ensure your baby’s safety when used with any cot or cot bed. This helps to prevent them from climbing out as they get older.

Five Ways to Create the Perfect Sleep Environment for Your Baby

We spoke to Lynda Harding, Managing Director at Sweet Dreamers (the brand behind the ultimate baby sleep aid, ewan the dream sheep).

Lynda is a mum of six and inventor of the SweetDreamers product range and is passionate about transforming sleep time into a happy, safe and rewarding experience for all.

Here are her top five tips for creating the perfect sleep environment for your baby.

1.  Make sure your room is dark - use blackout blinds or blackout curtains
2. Make sure the room is at a comfortable temperature. The ideal room temperature for safer sleep is between 16 - 20℃
3. Make sure your baby is well fed, winded and has a clean nappy.
4. Try some white noise to help create a calm sleep environment and to block out any unwanted sounds.
5. Make sure your baby sleeps in the same room as you for at least the first 6 months for both day and night sleeps

More Information

For more information on safe sleep practices for your baby, head over to the Lullaby Trust, or speak to your Midwife who will be able to provide you with plenty of helpful resources.

The trend for gender-neutral nursery interiors has continued to grow over the last two years with celebrities such as Molly-Mae Hague opting for soft shades of beige and cream for their nursery colour scheme.

Whether you’re keeping the gender of your baby a surprise or simply want to create a nursery that will grow with them, a gender-neutral interior is perfect, and can easily be adapted to suit their personalities and interests as they get older with nursery wall art, soft textiles, and their favourite toys.

Design ideas and nursery themes

When planning the interior of your little one’s room you might want to consider a nursery theme. A theme can help steer the design of your nursery and give you inspiration for how you could decorate the room.

For example, safari is a fun, gender-neutral nursery theme that can easily be incorporated through stuffed animals and playful wall art. Other trending nursery themes you might want to consider are woodland and botanical themes which use colours and textures from nature.

Choosing gender-neutral nursery furniture

There are lots of different things to consider when shopping for nursery furniture such as how big your nursery is, whether you want a matching nursery set or just a cot bed, and of course the style and design of the furniture.

When creating a gender-neutral nursery you’re probably going to want to opt for a neutral colour palette. White is a popular option for nursery furniture as it can help make the room feel light and spacious, or if you prefer something with more depth a two-tone design like our bestselling Luna range could be the perfect option for you.

Nursery décor and accessories

Gender-neutral doesn’t have to be boring, look at it as a blank canvas for you to add your own personal touches through décor and accessories. Even the storage solutions you choose can add character to your nursery, like our adorable teddy bear baskets which are perfect for storing your baby’s toys.

Another thing to remember when designing your baby’s nursery is to create a space you’ll both be able to relax in. After all, both of you will be spending a lot of time together in the nursery. One item that’s sure to come in handy is a rocking nursing chair. It’s the perfect spot for you to bond, feed, and rock your little one to sleep. Our Etta Boucle Nursing Chair ticks all the boxes when looking for a comfortable but stylish nursery chair.

Other smaller additions like a printed changing mat, bookshelves and cot bedding can all contribute to creating the perfect gender-neutral nursery.

At CuddleCo, we’ve got two fabulous contenders for the title of Best Seat in the House; meet the Etta and the Marley nursing chairs. They’re both stylish, snuggly, and built for comfort, but they each bring their own flair to your nursery. Let’s dive in and see which chair steals your heart…

Creating the perfect nursery is a beautiful part of preparing for a new arrival. From choosing calming colour palettes to picking out those first adorable sleepsuits, every detail matters. But one of the most important pieces you'll invest in? A safe, comfortable, and stylish cot bed that grows with your baby.

Sleep – that precious luxury. Before pregnancy, you probably drifted off without a second thought. But as your body changes, your bump grows, and new aches and worries emerge, getting a decent night’s sleep can start to feel like a distant dream.

If pregnancy insomnia, restless legs, or just plain discomfort are keeping you up at night, you’re not alone. The good news? There a plenty of ways to create a sleep-friendly environment and wind down for the night.

Cut out screen time an hour before bed

We’re all guilty of that one-last-scroll through social media or bingeing one more episode of a favourite show. But the blue light from your phone, tablet, or TV can trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime. This makes it harder for your body to produce melatonin, the hormone that helps you wind down and fall asleep.

Create a relaxing bedtime routine

Establishing a calming bedtime routine helps signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. Choose activities that soothe your mind and relax your body:

•        Practice mindfulness or deep breathing exercises: Apps like Calm or Headspace can guide you through gentle meditation, helping you to switch off before bed

•      Reading: Rather than opting for a screen like your phone, try reading a few pages of a lighthearted book instead

•      Self-care: A warm (but not too hot) shower can help relax tense muscles and prepare your body for sleep

Consistency is key when first establishing a bedtime routine – find what works for you and stick to it.

Invest in a pregnancy pillow

One of the biggest challenges you are likely to face when sleeping while pregnant is simply finding a comfortable position. As your bump grows, it can feel impossible to get comfy without tossing and turning.

That’s where the pregnancy pillow comes in. These lifesavers come in various shapes, from C-shaped to U-shaped, and provide support where you need it most — whether that’s under your bump, between your knees, or behind your back. Bonus? Many pregnancy pillows double as feeding or sitting supports after your baby arrives.

📷 @lifewith_jacob.lottie.nellie

Avoid caffeinated drinks in the evening

This one might sound obvious, but it’s easy to forget how much caffeine can sneak into your day. Tea, coffee, and even cola can disrupt your ability to fall asleep.

During pregnancy, it’s recommended to limit your caffeine intake to no more than 200mg per day. Save your caffeinated drink for the morning and switch to decaf options as the day winds down.

Stay active during your pregnancy

Keeping active will help you stay fit and well during your pregnancy. Gentle exercise during the day may also help you sleep better at night.

Consider these bump-friendly activities:

• Walking: A brief stroll outside in the fresh air can help clear your mind and improve your mood

• Antenatal yoga or pilates: Antenatal classes are a great way to meet other parents-to-be, just make sure the instructor knows you’re pregnant

It’s important to listen to your body and avoid pushing yourself too hard during physical activity. Speak to your GP or midwife for more advice about exercising while pregnant.

Pregnancy might bring its fair share of sleep challenges, but with a few mindful adjustments, you can create a sleep routine that works for you. Be kind to yourself — some nights will be better than others, and that’s okay.

Welcoming a new baby into the world is one of the most amazing experiences in life. As you prepare to meet your little one, the countdown to their arrival can feel equal parts exciting and overwhelming. 

Preparation ahead of your baby’s arrival is important to help ease the transition into parenthood, and luckily for you, there are lots of tools and resources to help you prepare during your pregnancy.

Whether it’s your first baby or you’re adding to your family, here are 10 essential things to do before your baby arrives to ensure you’re ready for their debut.

Create a birth plan

A birth plan is personal to you and contains all the details of what you would like to happen during your labour, birth, and after birth. If you would like to create a birth plan your midwife can help you. Things to think about are: 

• Your birthing options (hospital, in a midwifery unit, or at home)

• Decide on your preferences for pain relief, labour positions, and who you would like to support you at your birth

• Be flexible – things may not go exactly as planned

Take antenatal classes

Antenatal classes are a great way to prepare for birth and the arrival of your baby. Places in antenatal classes can get booked up quickly. So be sure to look into these early in your pregnancy to avoid disappointment.

• Antenatal classes are free on the NHS – to find out about classes near you, ask your midwife, health visitor or GP

• Include your partner or the person who will be supporting you during your birth for shared preparation

Set up the nursery

Designing the nursery for your new baby is super-exciting, but it can be hard to know where to start. Lots of parents-to-be like to start a Pinterest board dedicated to their baby’s nursery to allow them to start collating ideas and inspiration.

• Make sure you choose quality, long-lasting nursery furniture that grows with your baby

• Don’t forget to measure your space before placing any furniture orders

• Remember you’ll also be spending lots of time in the nursery too, so make sure it’s a calm and cosy space for you both

Stock up on baby essentials

Baby’s might be small, but they require lots of things to keep them happy, healthy and nurtured. Things like nappies, muslins, and sleepsuits are things you will get through quickly, so start building your collection early on.

• If you’re planning on having a baby shower you could create a list of things you need, meaning you don’t get bought duplicates or things you don’t necessarily need

• Keep an eye out for baby events online and in-store, stock up while things are discounted or on sale

Make your home baby safe

If you’re a first-time parent, babyproofing your home will be completely new to you. But, to put it simple, it essentially means removing anything from your home that can cause harm to your baby. Some things to consider are:

• If you live in a house with stairs, consider installing safety gates if needed

• Keep all small objects out of reach

• Purchase a children’s first aid kit

Take time for yourself

In the run-up to your due date, make sure to prioritise time for yourself. Whether that’s relaxing and catching up on a TV show or eating out at your favourite restaurant.

• Treat yourself to activities you enjoy while you have the time

• Take a babymoon or enjoy date nights

• Rest and recharge – parenting will soon demand plenty of energy!

Pack your hospital bag

At least 3 weeks before your due date, or earlier if you can, you should have your hospital bag packed and ready to go. Your hospital bag should include everything you need for labour, birth and after birth, and of course, everything your baby will need.

• Don’t forget to pack your birth plan and hospital notes

• Be sure to take your phone charger – you could be there for a while

• Double check items specific to your hospital or birthing centre requirements

Prepare older siblings or pets for a new baby

Welcoming a new baby affects the entire household, and preparing older siblings or pets can help ensure a smooth transition:

• If you already have children, make sure you talk to them about the baby using age-appropriate language to explain what’s happening and what to expect. Share books or videos about becoming an older brother or sister

• Plan quality time with your older child before and after the baby arrives

• When the baby arrives, introduce them to your pet calmly and under supervision

Build your support system

When your little one arrives, you will soon realise how important it is to have family and friends you can reach out to for a helping hand. Whether that’s picking you up a few essentials from the supermarket or looking after your baby for an hour while you get some rest.

• Identify friends and family who can help you after your baby arrives

• Join parenting groups or online communities for advice

• Schedule time for your partner or other children to feel included

Plan for postpartum recovery

The first 6 weeks after giving birth are know as the postpartum period. During this time, it is important to look after yourself and prioritise healing. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your partner or loved ones.

• Stock up on postpartum care items like maternity pads, and if you’re planning on breastfeeding, nipple pads and cream. A nursing pillow will also come in handy during your recovery

• Ask friends and family to bring you a home cooked meal when they visit, rather than a gift

• Don’t be afraid to communicate your needs with your support network

Preparation is key when expecting a baby but remember to also enjoy this special time. Life is about to change in the most wonderful way—cherish every moment leading up to your little one’s arrival in 2025!

At CuddleCo, we support families through every stage of the early years. Our expert guidance is designed to make parenting feel simpler, calmer, and more confident, whether you’re choosing your first cot bed or starting potty training. 

Real mums share their honest feeding stories, covering breastfeeding, expressing, combination feeding and more. As Breastfeeding Awareness Month approaches, their experiences offer reassurance, inspiration, and support to parents at every stage of their journey.

Summer with a baby can be full of fun, fresh air, and first-time experiences, but it also comes with its challenges. From travel tips and sleep routines to sensory play and staying cool, this guide shares practical advice to help you and your little one enjoy the season with ease.

In this blog, we’re hearing from sleep expert, Helena, a certified infant and child sleep consultant. Drawing on both her professional experience and her journey as a mum, Helena shares her top four tips to help improve your baby’s sleep if their experiencing split nights. 

Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2025 with CuddleCo and Pippeta! In honour of this year’s theme Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future, we’re giving one lucky mum-to-be the chance to win the ultimate breastfeeding bundle. Featuring our bestselling Etta Boucle Nursing Chair and Pippeta’s award-winning feeding essentials, it’s the perfect prize for any new mum.

Planning a baby shower or nesting party is a joyous occasion, celebrating the upcoming arrival of your little one. While balloons and banners add festivity, incorporating pieces that transition seamlessly into your nursery ensures both beauty and practicality. Enter CuddleCo's standing animals and storage baskets, the perfect blend of decor and function.

Welcoming a new baby into the world is one of life’s most magical moments, and if your friend has just become a new mum, you’ll want to show her just how much you care. While baby gifts are always appreciated, don’t forget about mum—she deserves a little extra love too!

We’re so excited to share our first collaboration with interior lover and lifestyle vlogger Lydia Dinga. Known for her colourful yet carefully considered aesthetic, Lydia has been documenting her renovation journey through her dedicated interiors account, @lydiadingahome, where she shares design inspiration, renovation updates, and invites her followers along for the ride. 

Award-Winning Nursery Style

CuddleCo’s Aria Wave Crib and Aria Clothes Rail have both won Gold at the 2025 Absolutely Mama Awards – recognising thoughtful design, trusted quality and timeless style.

From handwoven rattan details to space-savvy solutions, each piece blends beauty with practicality to help new parents create a nursery that feels calm, comforting and completely their own.

Explore our award-winning collection at cuddleco.co.uk

We’re thrilled to share that CuddleCo has been nominated in this year’s Absolutely Mama Awards - for the second year in a row! We’re up for not one, but two exciting categories: Best Interiors/Nursery Product and Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket – a title we proudly took home last year.

Hosted by Absolutely Mama, the UK’s leading lifestyle and parenting magazine, the awards celebrate standout brands loved by stylish, modern mums. With expert insights, parenting advice and curated content, Absolutely Mama is a go-to for families seeking quality and inspiration across all areas of motherhood.  

 We’ve got some very exciting news to share — CuddleCo is now officially stocked in John Lewis!

As one of the UK’s most beloved and trusted retailers, John Lewis is known for offering quality, style, and innovation — values we share deeply at CuddleCo. To see our product online is more than just a milestone for us; it’s a moment of immense pride and excitement for our whole team. 

Starting to wean your baby can be overwhelming for both you and your little one. You might have lots of worries and questions about how to get started or what method is best. Paediatric Dietitian, Kat Martinez-Thomas, has written a guest blog post that will help you start your weaning journey with confidence.

One of the main questions parents have when it comes to weaning is exactly HOW to start. It can be quite overwhelming when looking on the internet, especially with the rising popularity of “baby-led weaning” in recent years.

This blog will cover the differences between traditional and baby-led weaning, as well as the pros and cons of both methods, and highlight what to consider when starting your baby on solid foods.

What is baby-led weaning?

Whilst traditionally babies have been offered pureed food at the start of weaning, baby-led weaning means skipping the purees and offering finger foods instead. The idea is that the baby is in control of what, and how much, they eat, rather than being fed by an adult – hence the term “baby-led.”

What are the benefits of baby-led weaning?

There are many benefits to baby-led weaning, including:

• Allowing the baby independence and autonomy over what they’re eating – this can also help them to follow their own appetite from early on
• Learning to experiment with a wider variety of textures more quickly, and developing skills to pick up food, bring it to their mouth, chew and swallow
• Easier for babies to be involved in family mealtimes and be exposed to more family style foods
• Easier preparation for parents as they can feed baby the same foods they are eating

Are there any cons to baby-led weaning?

One of the main worries parents have with baby-led weaning is around choking. The current research doesn’t show any increased risk of choking from babies that are following a baby-led weaning approach.

Being exposed to a variety of textures as soon as possible, whether through spoon-feeding or finger foods is important to help babies develop and practice the skills needed to become competent eaters.

Some research suggests that babies who follow baby-led weaning take in LESS nutrition at the beginning, as they learn the skills to eat competently. Whilst milk continues to be a main source of nutrition, there are some nutrients, particularly iron, which are important to get from food. Offering plenty of variety of iron-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, beans, pulses, nuts and seeds can help to ensure babies get plenty of opportunity to maximise the nutrition from their food.

What about traditional weaning?

Traditional weaning involves spoon-feeding babies purees of different foods and gradually progressing through to more lumpy and textured foods. Many parents may feel more confident following this method, particularly at the start of weaning. It can be slightly less messy than baby-led weaning and parents may find it easier to know how much their baby has eaten. This can help parents to feel comfortable that their baby is getting certain nutrients, such as iron.

Spoon-feeding babies purees can mean it takes longer for them to become involved in family mealtimes, as it’s more difficult to share a meal when feeding your baby at the same time. It can also mean that babies are exposed to less variety of textures, which is important for them to develop and practice the skills needed for eating.

What is the best way to start weaning?

Ultimately, the weaning style parents choose will depend on a variety of factors. There are pros and cons to both baby-led weaning and spoon feeding, and it’s important that parents feel confident in whichever method they follow for feeding their child. Offering a mix of both finger foods and spoon-feeding can be a great way to allow your baby to explore and experiment. 

Whether you’re offering finger foods or purees, it’s a good idea to offer as much variety as possible and really allow your baby to try different tastes and textures. It can be a messy time but try to let your baby experiment as much as possible.

It’s perfectly normal for them to want to get stuck in and use their hands or hold the spoon themselves. The more they can feel in control at the table, the more likely they are to enjoy it and feel confident exploring the food on offer.

Whatever way you choose to wean your baby, try to ENJOY the process as much as possible and focus on making the mealtime a positive experience. There’s A LOT for babies to learn during weaning – they need plenty of opportunity to practice and they’ll all get there in their own time!

About Kat

Kat offers weaning and dietary advice to parents and carers looking for extra support feeding their babies and children. Head over to Kat's website to find out more about the services she offers.

Pancake Day is the perfect opportunity for the whole family to sit down together and enjoy some tasty treats. Paediatric Dietitian, Kat Martinez-Thomas, is here to share with you a quick and easy pancake recipe!

Pancakes are an ideal food for babies, and with pancake day around the corner, I wanted to share a super easy weaning pancake recipe that the whole family can enjoy!

These banana pancakes for baby use simple ingredients but are a bit of a twist on the classic recipe. Oats contain energy, fibre, B vitamins and some protein, making them a nutrient-rich food for babies. The banana adds a little extra flavour and texture to the recipe, as well as extra vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and potassium.

Serve with a dollop of yoghurt and some fruit for a perfectly balanced meal for your baby. Adding a little nut butter, if your baby has tried it before, would be ideal, too!

When can my baby have pancakes?

Pancakes are a great finger food for baby right from early on in their weaning journey. Once baby has started to experiment with different textures, these pancakes are nice and soft and can be cut into ideal shapes for baby to grab hold of to bring to their mouths. They’re a perfect baby-led weaning food – even for parents who may be a little more anxious about offering finger foods.

A note on allergies

This recipe includes eggs, milk and oats – all of which are potential allergens. Make sure your baby has had all of those ingredients before offering them these pancakes. For more on allergens, you can check out the NHS website. 

 Ingredients

• 1 large banana
• Half a cup of oats
• 75ml milk of choice (see NHS advice on Milk here)
• 1 free range egg
• Sprinkle of cinnamon (optional)

 Method

1. Simply add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until you have a batter consistency
2. Heat some oil in a pan on a medium heat. When hot, turn the heat down and add around 1 and a half tbsp of batter into the pan – add as many as you can fit with a little room to flip (Keep the heat low to avoid the outside burning)
3. Watch them carefully and flip once browning on one side. Use a knife to gently check that they’re cooked all the way through
4. Continue until you’ve used up all of the batter – you may need to add extra oil in between cooking
5. Cut into strips and enjoy!



About Kat

Kat offers weaning and dietary advice to parents and carers looking for extra support feeding their babies and children. Head over to Kat’s website to find out more about the services she offers.

The start of the weaning journey can be an overwhelming time for both parents and baby. There are many worries parents share when approaching the weaning stage. However, most of these concerns have logical answers.

The most common anxieties parents share are surrounding their baby’s safety. For instance, how to tell the difference between gagging and choking is a fear for many. This is why this Child Safety Week, we want to give you an introduction to safe weaning and address any doubts you may have before you and your baby start the weaning journey.

What is Weaning?

Weaning is the introduction of solid foods alongside your baby’s usual breast milk or first infant formula. Solid foods are usually introduced around 6 months of age.

What is Baby Led Weaning?

Baby-led weaning is where you allow your baby to feed themselves rather than spoon-feeding them. You offer them a selection of foods to choose from themselves. 

📷 @glutenfreefi

Weaning Essentials

• High Chair – your baby needs to learn from an early age that they must be sat down when eating so that they can swallow their food properly. Always make sure that they are sat upright and strapped in. Remember, never leave your baby unattended when eating. 

• Muslin Cloths – you will probably already have plenty of these from when your baby first arrived. But these will also come in handy during spoon-feeding to clean up any spills or sick.

• Bibs – weaning can get messy. So plastic bibs are the best for the beginning.

• Plastic bowls – that have individual compartments are ideal to keep different flavours and textures separated. You should also opt for bowls with a suction pad to avoid any accidents.

• Soft spoons – that are safe for your baby’s gums.

Introducing New Textures

When planning what meals to feed your baby, you should consider the size, shape and texture of the food you will be serving them. It is important to keep in mind that some babies may need smooth or blended foods to start with until they get used to new textures.

However, don’t worry if your baby refuses lumpy textures at the beginning. The NHS encourages you to keep offering your baby lumpy textures. They will get used to them eventually. The introduction of lumpy and mashed food alongside finger foods is essential. It helps your baby learn to chew, move solid food around their mouth and swallow.

Be Patient

Remember that patience is key when introducing your baby to new foods. Eating is a whole new skill for them, and you should always go at your baby’s pace.

How to Serve Food Safely

Hygiene

Babies are highly vulnerable to bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Therefore, you need to be extra careful when preparing and storing food for your little one. Basic hygiene, like washing your hands before preparing food. Should always be followed. But if you need a knowledge refresh, take a look at the BBC Good Food guide to safely preparing and storing food here. 

Preparing Food

The main worry mums have when weaning their baby is the risk of choking. Choking can happen at any time with any food. But certain foods, such as small round foods, firm foods and foods with bones, can present a higher risk.

📷 @sr_nutrition

📷 @sr_nutrition

DO

• Remove hard pips and stones from fruit.
• Cut food into narrow batons.
• Avoid round shapes.
• Try grating, mashing, steaming or simmering firm fruits.
• Remove the skin on fruit, vegetables and meat.
• Remove all bones from meat or fish.

DON’T

• Do not give whole nuts to children under 5 years old.
• Do not give babies and young children boiled, hard, gooey or sticky sweets.
• Do not give popcorn to babies and young children.
• Do not give babies chewing gum or marshmallows.

For a full list of foods to avoid read the Start 4 Life safe weaning guide here.

Family Mealtimes

During mealtimes, you and your family members should all sit down together as much as possible. Mealtimes are the perfect opportunity for your baby to observe how you eat. By acting as good role models when eating, they can learn from the beginning how to eat safely. Babies copy their parents and other children, so it is important that you are a positive influence. You can do this by sitting upright, breaking your food up and chewing properly.

Gagging

It is normal for your baby to gag when you introduce them to solid foods. As we mentioned earlier, eating is a whole new skill for them. It will take them time to learn how the regulate the amount of food they can chew and swallow at one time. 

Further Information

For more information regarding how to know when your baby is ready to wean. Or how to tell the difference between gagging and choking. You can visit the NHS website. You can also ask a health professional for support.