Top 10 Weaning Tips for New Mums, An Expert Guide to Your Baby's First Foods

Weaning is one of the most exciting and sometimes daunting milestones in early motherhood. It’s a season filled with first tastes, messy hands, tiny victories, and plenty of learning for both you and your baby.

The truth is, there’s no one "right" way to wean. Every baby, and every family, will have their own unique rhythm.But with a little preparation, gentle flexibility, and the right information, you can create a weaning experience that is calm, connected, and joyful.

Here are our top 10 practical weaning tips to guide you through this beautiful stage.

1. Wait for Signs of Readiness

Rather than watching the calendar, watch your baby.

Most babies are ready to start solids around six months, but true readiness is shown through signs like:

• Sitting upright with good head and neck control

• Reaching for food or showing interest when others are eating

• Being able to grasp food and bring it to their mouth

• Losing the tongue-thrust reflex (not pushing food back out automatically)

Starting when your baby is developmentally ready makes weaning safer and more successful.

2. Keep Breastfeeding or Bottle Feeding Going

In the early months of weaning, solids are a complement — not a replacement — for milk feeds.Breast milk or formula remains your baby’s main source of nutrition during the first year.

Think of solids as an exploration of tastes, textures, and skills, rather than an immediate new diet.

3. Begin with Simple, Single-Ingredient Foods

Introduce soft, cooked vegetables or fruits first, such as:

• Carrot

• Sweet potato

• Broccoli

• Apple

• Pear

Offer one new food at a time, giving a few days before trying another. This helps your baby focus on individual tastes and makes it easier to spot any sensitivities.

4. Let Your Baby Explore (Mess is Part of the Process)

Weaning is messy — and that’s a good thing.

Touching, squashing, tasting, and even throwing food all support your baby’s sensory development and food confidence.Rather than trying to control the mess, embrace it. Messy eating builds healthy eaters.

Invest in a good bib and easy-to-wipe surfaces — and enjoy the journey.

5. Offer a Wide Range of Tastes and Textures

The more variety your baby experiences early on, the more adventurous they are likely to be with food later.

Include vegetables, fruits, grains, pulses, dairy, and proteins over time.Offer foods that are mashed, lumpy, or cut into soft finger shapes as your baby progresses.

Don't worry if your baby pulls a funny face when trying new foods — it often takes multiple exposures before they accept a new flavour.

6. Include Iron-Rich Foods Early

Around six months, your baby’s natural iron stores begin to drop.

Offer foods rich in iron such as:

• Soft cooked lentils and beans

• Puréed or finely shredded meats

• Fortified baby cereals

• Leafy greens (well-cooked and pureed)

Iron is essential for growth, brain development, and energy levels.

7. Make Mealtimes Social

Babies are natural mimics. Sitting together at the table and letting your baby watch you eat helps them learn essential social and eating skills.

Whenever possible, make mealtimes a relaxed, shared experience rather than a rushed chore.Even if your baby plays more than eats at first — they are learning through every moment.

8. Be Patient (It’s a Journey, Not a Race)

Some days, your baby will eagerly gobble up food. Other days, they may push it away after one mouthful.This is completely normal.

Follow your baby's lead, without pressure. Avoid bribery, forcing, or coaxing — it’s far better to foster positive feelings around food than to focus on quantities eaten.

Progress isn't linear — and that's okay.

9. Introduce Allergenic Foods Thoughtfully

Foods like peanuts, eggs, dairy, fish, and wheat can be introduced around six months, unless advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.

Introduce one allergenic food at a time, during the daytime, and monitor your baby for any reactions.There’s no need to delay — early exposure, in safe amounts, can help reduce the risk of developing allergies.

10. Keep Salt, Sugar, and Processed Foods to a Minimum

Your baby’s kidneys are still developing, and their palate is naturally sensitive.There's no need for added salt, sugar, or highly processed foods at this stage.

Focus on natural, whole foods — and let your baby’s taste buds enjoy real flavours from the very beginning.

Bonus Tip: Trust Yourself

Parenting advice is everywhere, but no one knows your baby like you do.

Trust your instincts. Trust your baby's cues. You are learning together, and that bond — more than any perfect menu — is what matters most.

Common Weaning Worries — Reassurance for New Mums

"My baby is not eating much!"Perfectly normal. Milk remains their main nutrition source. Keep offering and stay relaxed.

"My baby gags a lot!"Gagging is a protective reflex. It helps babies learn how to manage food safely. It’s different from choking, and with appropriate supervision and safe food preparation, it usually resolves with time.

"I feel overwhelmed by all the advice!"You are not alone. Start small. Keep it simple. You are already doing so much right just by caring.

Weaning is a wild, wonderful, messy, and meaningful season. It’s not about how many spoons your baby eats, or how neat the highchair stays. It’s about nurturing curiosity, building confidence, and sharing joy around food.

Every small step — every new taste, every dropped spoon, every happy giggle — is a sign of growth.

🌿 For gentle weaning meal ideas, emotional support, and practical tips for real motherhood, download the free Carol App today on IOS and Android.

🌿 And if you're longing to feel more grounded, regulated, and nourished in yourself during this transition, explore The Calm Mum Formula , offered on a Pay-What-Feels-Right basis.