Winning with Weaning: Dietitian Mbali Mapholi Shares Rooibos Recipes and Tips for Baby’s First Foods

Weaning: Building Healthy Habits from the Start

Weaning is one of the most exciting milestones in a baby’s development as they begin exploring new tastes, textures and nutrients that support growth, brain development and lifelong eating habits. For many parents, it can also feel overwhelming, with questions around when to start, what to feed, and how to get it right.

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,” says Mabli. “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. Mbali notes that “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 like chewing, swallowing and hand-to-mouth coordination, which can assist with other developmental areas like speech and the development of fine motor skills.

When Is It Time to Wean?

Mbali says 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.”

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

Tips for Weaning

“Patience is key when weaning,” says Mapholi. “This is a learning process for both baby and caregiver, so try not to get too stressed about the process. I’ve shared some tips to help make this a more seamless transition for families.”

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, as babies' kidneys are still developing.

Step 4: Get Messy!
Let babies explore by getting messy, as 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,” adds Mapholi. “Experiment with flavours, follow your baby’s cues, and remember that every small step contributes to their long-term health and wellbeing.”

Laager Rooibos Recipes for Weaning

Mbali 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!”

Laager Rooibos Apple & Pear Purée

Laager Rooibos Butternut & Carrot Purée

Laager Rooibos Banana & Oat Baby Porridge

Laager Rooibos Berry Ice Lollies for Teething

Laager Rooibos Mango & Peach Teething Pops

Top Weaning Tip:

Freeze homemade purees into an ice tray (preferably with a lid), allowing you to portion them out and only use what you need without the rest going to waste. Simply defrost the cubes as you need them!

“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 Mbali.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What brands are part of the Joekels range?
Joekels packs, blends and distributes a range of well-known brands including Tetley, Laager Rooibos, Tea4Kidz, Tea Time and Society Coffee. Established in 1994, Joekels is an award-winning South African company with Halal and Kosher accreditation and FSSC 22000 certification.

2. Can babies have rooibos tea during weaning?
Yes, rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free and sugar-free, making it a gentle and suitable ingredient for baby-friendly recipes. When cooled and used in small amounts in food preparation, rooibos can add natural flavour without the need for added sugar.

3. When should I start weaning my baby?
Most babies are ready to start weaning at around six months of age. Signs include sitting with support, showing interest in food and being able to swallow. Breastmilk or formula should remain the primary source of nutrition until around 12 months, with solids gradually introduced alongside it.