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

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 supportGood head and neck controlShowing interest in foodOpening their mouth when food is offeredAbility 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 SlowlyBegin 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 PortionsSmall 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 VarietyOffer 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

Ingredients1 apple, peeled and chopped1 pear, peeled and chopped½ cup brewed and cooled Laager Tea4Kidz Rooibos & Honeybush

Method

1. Place fruit in a small pot.
2. Add Rooibos tea and simmer until soft.
3. Blend or mash to the desired consistency.

Laager Rooibos Butternut & Carrot Purée

Ingredients½ cup chopped butternut1 carrot, peeled and chopped½ cup brewed Laager Tea4Kidz Original Rooibos

Method

1. Steam vegetables using rooibos tea until tender.
2. Blend until smooth, adding extra rooibos if needed.

Laager Rooibos Banana & Oat Baby Porridge

Ingredients2 tbsp oats½ cup brewed Laager Tea4Kidz Rooibos & Honeybush½ banana, mashed

Method

1. Cook oats in rooibos tea until soft.
2. Stir in mashed banana.
3. Cool before serving.

Laager Rooibos Berry Ice Lollies for Teething

Ingredients1 cup brewed and cooled Laager Tea4Kidz Strawberry Rooibos½ cup strawberries½ banana

Method

1. Blend ingredients until smooth.
2. Pour into moulds and freeze.
3. Serve in a silicone feeder for younger babies.

Laager Rooibos Mango & Peach Teething Pops

Ingredients1 cup brewed Laager Tea4Kidz Original Rooibos½ cup mango½ cup peach

Method

1. Blend fruit with Laager Rooibos tea.
2. Freeze in moulds until firm.

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.

Find out more about Laager Rooibos, including health tips and fantastic Rooibos-infused recipes, by visiting https://www.joekels.co.za or following @Tea4Kidz on Facebook and @LaagerRooibosTea on Instagram. Laager Tea4Kidz Rooibos can be purchased from all major supermarkets, as well as online at https://www.joekels.co.za.