As a food lover, the introduction of real solid food in my boys’ diet was something I was really looking forward to. I literally could not wait :-) I read as much as I could on the topic but I always went back to the same source of reference: the notes my dear French friend Noémie gave me. She got them from her paediatrician. As I explained in previous posts in France a lot of children are still directly followed by a paediatrician for day to day matters. The information below is relating to French baby weaning for babies aged 9 to 12 months old. It is part of a series of post, which you can find on the Bites & Pieces page under the French food education section.

Please note that baby weaning guidelines in France and in the UK are quite different and by default I would always recommend you to follow the guidelines of your health specialist.

If you haven’t already done so you should read the French baby weaning (4 to 6 months old) and (6 to 9 months old) posts before this one.

Reusable food pouches for babies – Set of 3 – Squiz Sophie la giraffe®- 90ml

Reusable food pouches for babies – Set of 3 – Squiz Sophie la giraffe®

When you have reached the 9 month mark, weaning is almost finished but there are still a few rules to follow.

  • Keep two breastmilk feeds/ bottles of follow on formula up to 12 months (if you are using whole milk or semi-skimmed milk, you will need to reduce accordingly the quantity of yogurt, cheese or meat)
  • Drinks during and outside mealtime should be limited to water (no squash, juice…)
  • You can give milk before bedtime but don’t leave it during night-time. Leave eventually some water if your little one wants fluids.
  • No snacking between meals (this would reduce his/her appetite during mealtimes)
  • No charcuterie (prepared meat products primarily from pork such as bacon, pâtés…) aside from lean cooked ham
  • No fried dishes
  • No nuts, almonds

Proteins (Meat, fish or ½ hard-boiled egg)

  • You can introduce meat with a higher fat content such as lamb, mutton or pork but in small quantities
  • Fish, no more than twice a week
  • Avoid offal (liver, brains, kidney…)
  1. When? At lunch, once a day
  2. How? Boiled, poached or grilled without fat
  3. How much? About 2 teaspoons – 20g

Introduce well-cooked short-grain rice, little pasta in soups or by itself if the child is chewing properly.

SUMMARY:

  • Breakfast: one or more milk feeds of breastmilk or follow on formula of 210 to 240 ml
  • Lunch: Meat, fish or 1/2 egg + vegetable puree incl. fat + cheese + fruit puree or raw fruits +/- milk
  • Goûter (Snack): milk feed – breast or follow on formula- of 210ml or dairy product with water + fruit puree or raw fruits +/- bread (baguette end crust or sprinkled in dairy product/puree or baby biscuit)
  • Dinner: soup or vegetable puree with a tablespoon of carbs such as semolina, tapioca, rice, pasta… + dessert (milk feed or milk-based baby specific dessert e.g. yogurt or fruits especially if he/she has had a dairy dessert for lunch)

NB: French paediatricians recommend supplements of vitamin D and fluorine. Offer the widest variety of meals you can.

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If you are interested in more posts on similar topics, you may want to read about:

Reusable food pouches for babies – Set of 3 – Squiz Sophie la giraffe® - Instructions