Bournemouth, Charity, Christchurch, Health & Lifestyle, Poole | Posted on May 22nd, 2025 | return to news
Weaning programme helping babies and mums across Bournemouth
A baby and toddler weaning programme with a 100 per cent success rate is to be expanded across the BCP conurbation.
A baby and toddler weaning programme which has achieved ‘100 per cent’ success in is now looking to expand across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) conurbation.
Healthy cooking charity The Friendly Food Club delivered the free, four-week Mush and Munch, Crunch and Munch and Fun with Food courses at BCP’s network of Family Hubs, to support young families and encourage healthy eating in the formative early years.
Nutritionist-designed and following NHS guidelines, Mush and Munch is aimed at families with babies aged six to 12 months and offers the chance to see and try healthy mashed and soft finger foods. The Crunch and Munch and Fun with Food courses support families with older toddlers who are fussy eaters. The courses use play techniques to enable children to interact with foods without the pressure of eating.
A total of 129 babies and young children and their parents/carers have already taken part in the courses, with100 per cent of attendees saying they have boosted their confidence and increased their skills.
One parent, Katherine, attended a Crunch and Munch course with her son. She said: “I feel more relaxed around all aspects of food knowing now that if I practice getting him involved more, then he might have a good relationship with food. Following the course we have had lots of fun in the kitchen and at mealtimes.”
Friendly Food Club tutor Liz Cornish, a retired dietician, helped to design and deliver the courses. She said: “We all know that supporting good nutrition in the early years can set our younger generations up for lifelong learning and good health, but in practical terms parents can feel anxious about their child’s food intake or how to introduce solid foods safely.
“Our courses are friendly, supportive, and practical environments where parents, grandparents and guardians can ask questions, share their experiences and encourage their children to try freshly prepared foods.
“Many participants have told us they have allayed their fears and given them confidence to experiment with a wide range of simple healthy foods, as alternatives to the expensive processed baby food pouches and jars. Others say they have benefitted from techniques to introduce a wider variety of nutritious foods to their children’s diets.
“22 of our scheduled 24 courses in BCP have already taken place and we would now like to offer them to a wider audience at health centres, parent and toddler groups and community hubs across Dorset, so more families and children can benefit from good nutrition when it matters most.”
Another tutor, Andria Glasgow, said: “There is so much information out there about weaning and it can be daunting knowing which advice to listen to.
“One of the most common concerns I hear from new parents is that their babies will choke when they try solid foods. Reassuring them about the difference between gagging and choking is very important. Allergens are also a big concern for many parents, so we provide them with a safe and relaxed environment in which to try foods such as egg, fish, and peanut butter.”
Sharen Stevens, team manager at BCP’s Rossmore Family Hub in Poole, said: “The Friendly Food Club has provided a much-needed programme to families. We have had a range of families attend, and all have gained so much knowledge and hands-on experience through the face-to-face groups. Parents have had a safe space where their babies can try a range of healthy foods, knowing they have the support of knowledgeable tutors on hand for encouragement.”
Community groups, church groups, health centres, parent and toddler groups and community hubs interested in hosting any of the food courses are asked to contact hello@thefriendlyfoodclub.org.
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