The Expert Guide to Weaning Your Baby - When and How to Start Introducing Solids

Weaning is a beautiful and often emotional milestone in your baby's journey. It marks the gradual transition from a milk-only diet to a world of new tastes, textures, and family mealtimes. But knowing when and how to begin can feel overwhelming for many mums.

If you're wondering where to start, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about weaning : from recognising when your baby is ready, to choosing first foods, to navigating common challenges with confidence and calm.

What is Weaning?

Weaning is the process of introducing solid foods to your baby's diet while continuing to offer breast milk or formula. It’s not about stopping milk feeds immediately — it’s about gradually building up your baby’s ability to eat a variety of solid foods alongside their regular milk feeds.

The goal of weaning is to support your baby’s growing nutritional needs, help them develop new skills like chewing and swallowing, and nurture a healthy relationship with food from the very beginning.

When Should You Start Weaning?

Most babies are ready to start solids at around six months of age. By this time, their digestive system is more developed, and their nutritional needs — particularly for iron — begin to increase.

Signs that your baby may be ready for weaning include:

• Sitting upright with minimal support

• Good head and neck control

• Showing interest in your food (watching you eat, reaching for food)

• Being able to pick up objects and bring them to their mouth

• Loss of the tongue-thrust reflex (they no longer push food out of their mouth automatically)

Starting too early (before 17 weeks) can increase the risk of infections and allergies.

Waiting until around six months ensures your baby is developmentally ready to handle solid foods safely.

First Foods for Weaning: What Should You Start With?

In the early stages of weaning, food is about exploration and getting used to new tastes and textures. Nutritionally, breast milk or formula will still be your baby’s main source of nourishment.

Start with simple, single-ingredient foods, such as:

• Cooked and blended or mashed vegetables: carrot, parsnip, broccoli, sweet potato

• Soft fruits: pear, apple, banana, avocado

Offer one new food at a time, ideally early in the day, so you can monitor for any allergic reactions.

Textures matter too. You can start with very smooth purees, then gradually move to thicker mashes, and eventually soft lumps and finger foods as your baby becomes more confident.

Weaning Schedule: What a Day Might Look Like

In the beginning, your baby might only manage a few teaspoons of food once a day. That’s perfectly normal.

Here’s a gentle example of a weaning schedule around six months:

• Morning: Milk feed

• Late morning: Small amount of pureed vegetables or fruit

• Afternoon: Milk feed

• Evening: Milk feed before bedtime

As your baby grows, you can gradually introduce solids at two and then three meals per day, depending on their appetite and interest.

Tips for a Smooth Weaning Journey

1. Create a Calm Environment

Make mealtimes relaxed and free of distractions. Your baby learns best when they feel safe and unhurried.

2. Let Your Baby Explore

Touching, squashing, and even throwing food is part of learning. Embrace the mess- really, it’s an important sensory experience.

3. Offer Small Amounts

Start with a few teaspoons and build up slowly. Watch your baby's cues for when they are full or want more.

4. Keep Milk Feeds Going

Continue offering breast milk or formula alongside solids. Milk remains a key source of nutrition throughout the first year.

5. Include Iron-Rich Foods

Around six months, your baby’s iron stores begin to deplete. Offer foods like lentils, spinach, well-cooked meats, fortified cereals, and tofu.

Common Weaning Questions Answered

How do I know if my baby is eating enough?

In the beginning, it’s about tasting and exploring. Milk will still provide most of their nutrients. Gradually, over the months, solids will become a bigger part of their diet.

Should I use baby rice or purees only?

Baby rice isn’t essential. You can offer a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and later proteins. Homemade purees or soft finger foods give your baby exposure to real tastes and textures.

What foods should I avoid during weaning?

• Honey (until after 12 months, due to the risk of botulism)

• Whole nuts (choking hazard)

• Foods high in salt or sugar

• Unpasteurised cheeses and dairy products

What if my baby gags?

Gagging is a normal part of learning to eat and is different from choking. It often sounds dramatic but is usually harmless. Always supervise your baby while eating and offer foods in safe, age-appropriate sizes.

Building Healthy Habits for Life

The weaning phase is not just about nutrition - it’s about building a lifelong, positive relationship with food.

By offering a wide variety of tastes and textures early, involving your baby in family mealtimes, and responding to their cues with patience, you’re helping them build trust in their body and its signals.

Remember: every baby is unique. Some may take to solids eagerly, others may need more time. Follow their lead, stay flexible, and celebrate every tiny step forward.

Weaning is a journey of exploration — for you and your baby. It’s a chance to nourish not just their body, but their curiosity, independence, and trust.

Take it slowly. Keep it joyful. And trust that you are exactly what your baby needs.

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