1.
baby food; weaning food
Soft or pureed food given to infants as they transition from breast milk or formula to solid food, typically starting around 5-6 months of age.
離乳食を始めた。
We started weaning food.
離乳食は手作りしている。
I make the baby food by hand.
生後5か月ごろから離乳食を少しずつ与えていく。
From around five months after birth, you gradually introduce weaning food.
離乳食 literally means "weaning food" — 離乳 (weaning) + 食 (food). In Japan, 離乳食 typically progresses through stages from smooth purees to chunkier textures.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 離乳食を始める (to start weaning food)
- 離乳食を作る (to make baby food)
- 離乳食レシピ (baby food recipes)
- 離乳食の進め方 (how to introduce weaning food)
USAGE NOTES:
This is an essential parenting vocabulary word in Japan. Japanese bookstores have entire sections dedicated to 離乳食 cookbooks and guides. The word appears constantly in parenting magazines, pediatric clinic pamphlets, and online parenting forums.