Weaning Your Baby : A Gentle, Step-by-Step Guide

Wondering when and how to start weaning your baby? This step-by-step guide covers signs of readiness, first foods, feeding tips and common questions.

Weaning is one of the biggest changes in your baby’s first year. From first tastes to full meals, it’s a chance to nourish not just your baby’s body, but their confidence and curiosity too.

When to Start Weaning:

According to the NHS, most babies are ready around 6 months.

Signs of readiness include:

• Sitting upright with good neck control

• Bringing food to their mouth

• Showing interest when others are eating

• Losing the tongue-thrust reflex

  
  

What First Foods Should I Try?

• Vegetables: steamed carrot sticks, mashed sweet potato, courgette

• Fruits: pear, banana, soft-cooked apple

• Iron-rich foods: lentils, puréed chicken, beans

  
  

Start with single ingredients before combining flavours.

Traditional Weaning vs Baby-Led Weaning:

Both are valid and can even be blended.

• Traditional weaning starts with spoon-fed purées and gradually adds textures.

• Baby-led weaning (BLW) lets babies self-feed soft, safe finger foods.

  
  

There’s no perfect way to wean, only what works best for you and your baby.

Tips for a Smooth Start:

• Keep it calm and unhurried

• Expect mess (it's part of learning)

• Let your baby explore with their senses

• Never pressure them to eat, this builds trust

  
  

Common Questions:

• What about allergies? Introduce common allergens (peanut, egg, dairy) one at a time, and during the day.

• What if my baby doesn’t like something? Keep offering — it can take up to 10 tries for a baby to accept a new taste.

  
  

Follow your baby’s lead, make it joyful, and know that however you choose to wean, you’re doing it with love.

References:

• NHS UK. Weaning – What to Feed Your Baby

• First Steps Nutrition Trust

• Wikipedia: Baby-led Weaning