Weaning is the hardest part of parenting with 20% spending up to 10 hours a week

A SURVEY OF 1,000 PARENTS WITH KIDS AGED BETWEEN SIX MONTHS AND FOUR YEARS FOUND THAT 70% OF MUMS AND DADS FELT THE PROCESS WAS FRAUGHT WITH WORRY. CHARLOTTE MINETT 12:30, 21 May 2025 A

survey of 1,000 parents with nippers aged six months to four years revealed that a whopping 53% reckon weaning is the top challenge, with half only having a 'vague idea' about when

to kick off the process. And a hefty two thirds are fretting over potential allergies in their little ones. Yet, 36% tackled this by introducing one allergen at a time, while over a quarter

(26%) made sure to stick to the official advice. On top of that, 36% were scared stiff about the risk of choking, with other worries including making sure their tots get a well-rounded diet

and all the essential nutrients. Bearing all this in mind, the go-to grub for weaning turns out to be yogurt, squashed banana, and mashed sweet potato – after 77% felt sure they knew what

to dish up first. Plus, 44% of the bairns took a shine to their initial taste of solids after giving it a whirl a few times. Rebecca Wilson, a whizz on family food, has teamed up with Yeo

Valley Organic, who ran the poll and rustled up a guide packed with top tips for weaning. She commented: "Weaning can be a tough process but it's lovely to see parents felt

confident and had a plan in place. "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 common concerns for parents during weaning,

such as the fear that their little ones would turn their noses up at the food (31%) and the dread of dealing with mess and wasted grub (21%). Not to mention, 17% of parents are spending

upwards of five hours a week just tidying up post-mealtime carnage. Meanwhile, 23% are fretting over serving up too much salt or sugar, and the same number are sweating about nailing the

right portion sizes. Consequently, a quarter of mums and dads confessed that this chapter in their lives was more of a headache than they'd bargained for. Yet, looking back, nearly half

wished they'd cottoned on sooner that weaning's a different kettle of fish for every bub, and it's totally normal for tots to snub foods initially (39%) – it doesn't

spell doom for their future foodie adventures. And when it comes down to feeling backed up during weaning, a heartening 75% felt their support network had their backs, as per the OnePoll

figures. Alice Mayor, a nutritionist at Yeo Valley Organic, has said: "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." TOP 10 WEANING WORRIES: Article continues below * Choking

hazards. * Making sure baby gets enough nutrients. * Baby rejecting food. * Ensuring a balanced diet. * Fear of baby not eating enough. * Knowing how to handle gagging vs choking. * Allergic

reactions. * Avoiding too much salt or sugar. * Dealing with constipation or upset stomach. * Understanding portion sizes.