Weaning: When to Start and How to Do It
Weaning: When to Start and How to Do It
Weaning is a significant milestone in your baby’s development, marking the transition from an exclusively milk-based diet to solid foods. Weaning is the process of gradually introducing solid foods into a baby’s diet while reducing their reliance on breast milk or formula. This transition is essential for meeting their growing nutritional needs and developing key oral and motor skills necessary for eating a variety of foods. Knowing when and how to start weaning can feel overwhelming for many parents, but evidence-based guidance can make the process smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your baby.
When to Start Weaning
The NHS and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend introducing solid foods around six months of age. Before this time, a baby’s digestive system is still developing, and introducing solids too early can increase the risk of allergies, digestive issues, and choking hazards. However, all babies develop at their own pace, so it’s important to look for key readiness signs rather than focusing solely on age.
Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Weaning
Good head and neck control – Your baby should be able to hold their head steady when sitting upright and not collapsing forward.
Sitting upright with minimal support – This helps with swallowing and reduces choking risk.
Reduced tongue-thrust reflex – Babies naturally push food out of their mouths with their tongues until they’re developmentally ready for solids. The tongue reflex starts to lessen around six months. Babies will then roll the food around the mouth to swallow instead of pushing it out. To eat solid food, your baby needs to move the food from the front of the tongue to the back so they can swallow it safely.
Able to grasp objects and bring them to their mouth – Babies can coordinate their eyes, hands and mouth so they can look at their food, pick it up and put it in their mouth. This is important for self-feeding.
If your baby isn’t showing all these signs, it’s best to wait rather than rushing the process.
How to Start Weaning
1. Choose a Weaning Approach
There are two main approaches to weaning, and many parents opt for a combined approach, which is now recommended by experts:
Traditional spoon-feeding: Parents offer purees and mashed foods, gradually increasing texture.
Finger foods: Babies feed themselves soft finger foods from the start.
A combined approach is now recommended as it provides the benefits of both methods. Spoon-feeding ensures babies receive enough nutrients, while self-feeding finger foods encourages independence, fine motor skills, and a positive relationship with food. Offering a mix of both allows for flexibility and responsiveness to a baby’s preferences and developmental needs.
2. Start with Simple, Single-Ingredient Foods
Introduce one food at a time to monitor for allergies or intolerances. Ideal first foods include:
Vegetables: Carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli
Fruits: Banana, avocado, pear
Iron-rich foods: Lentils, soft cooked meats, fortified cereals
Avoid adding salt or sugar, as babies’ kidneys are not mature enough to process excess sodium, and sugar can contribute to tooth decay.
3. Offer a Variety of Textures and Flavours
By around 7 months, babies should progress too mashed and textured foods (if you haven’t introduced already). Exposing them to different flavours early helps develop a preference for healthy foods.
4. Encourage Self-Feeding
Even if you are more spoon-feeding than using finger foods, allow your baby to explore food with their hands, to use the spoon. This builds fine motor skills and independence. My top tip is to have two spoons one for you and one for baby to try.
5. Follow Your Baby’s Cues
Let your baby guide the pace of weaning. Responsive feeding is a fundamental approach in weaning that focuses on fostering positive interactions between parent and baby during feeding sessions. By engaging in responsive feeding practices, parents can create a nurturing environment where the baby feels supported and valued, promoting healthy eating habits and positive associations with food. Pressuring a baby to eat can create negative associations with food.
Common Hungry Cues
Excited in anticipation of food.
Grabbing or reaching out for food.
Opening mouth ready for food.
Leaning forward in anticipation of food.
Nodding yes for food.
Common Full Cues
Pushing food away.
Clearing or throwing food.
Closing mouth.
Turning heading away.
Spitting food out.
Saying no for food.
Foods to Avoid
Honey (before 12 months) – Risk of botulism
Whole nuts – Choking hazard (offer ground nuts or nut butters)
Cow’s milk as a main drink (before 12 months) – Use breast milk or formula instead
Salty and processed foods – Babies’ kidneys can’t handle high sodium
High-sugar foods – Increases risk of tooth decay
Common Weaning Challenges
My Baby Refuses Solids - It can take multiple exposures (sometimes 10–15 times) before a baby accepts a new food. Keep offering a variety without pressure.
My Baby Gags a Lot - Gagging is a normal part of learning to eat and is different from choking. Stay calm, and let your baby work through it. Ensure foods are cut into appropriate sizes and textures.
My Baby Prefers Milk Over Solids - At the start of weaning, milk remains their primary source of nutrition. Gradually, solid food intake will increase. Continue offering milk but encourage exploration of solids.
Final Thoughts
Weaning is a journey, and every baby progresses at their own pace. By following evidence-based guidance and tuning into your baby’s needs, you can make the transition to solids a positive and stress-free experience. Whether you choose purees, finger foods, or a combination of both, the key is to offer a variety of nutrient-dense foods in a responsive and enjoyable way. Weaning is a journey, and every baby progresses at their own pace. By following evidence-based guidance and tuning into your baby’s needs, you can make the transition to solids a positive and stress-free experience. Whether you choose purees, finger foods, or a combination of both, the key is to offer a variety of nutrient-dense foods in a responsive and enjoyable way.
For a comprehensive, evidence-based guide to weaning, check out our online course. Our expert-led program provides step-by-step guidance, practical tips, and troubleshooting strategies to help you confidently navigate your baby’s weaning journey.
Have questions about weaning? Visit The Healthy Child Co. for expert guidance and resources!
References
NHS. (2024). Your Baby’s First Solid Foods. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk
World Health Organisation (WHO). (2024). Complementary Feeding. Retrieved from https://www.who.int
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). (2018). Feeding in the First Year of Life. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications