How to start solid foods and weaning

Introducing solid foods into your baby’s diet, sometimes called ‘weaning’, is a really exciting part of their development. At the beginning, it’s important to remember that how much he eats is much less important than getting him used to the idea of eating solid foods.

This article covers the following topics:

When do I start weaning?
Signs that your baby is ready for solids
Getting started
Tips on weaning
Baby-led weaning
Further information

When do I start weaning?

For about the first six months of their life, babies only need breastmilk or formula milk, which provides them with all the nutrients and vitamins necessary for their own growth and development. There’s no advantage to introducing solid foods too early; babies’ digestive system needs time to develop so that they can cope with the introduction of solid foods.

Also, if solid foods are started too early, babies are likely to take less milk, yet milk contains more energy and nutrients than vegetable or fruit purées.

If you are breastfeeding, continuing past six months  means your baby will receive more antibodies and benefit from other health factors, such as having a lower risk of being obese or diabetes as a child. Furthermore, there’s an advantage to continuing to breastfeed while your baby gets used to new foods, especially if there is a history of allergies in your family.
In addition, waiting until your baby is six months means that they will be more likely to be able to feed themselves. They will also be more likely to cope with solid foods in their mouth and swallow properly, which reduces the risk of choking.

Signs that your baby is ready for solids

There are four signs that together will help you know if your baby is ready for solid foods alongside breastmilk or formula milk:

• He can sit up and hold his head steady.
• He can pick up food and put it into his mouth.
• He appears hungry – even when you have increased the number of times he feeds – and is interested in what you are eating.
• He no longer pushes solids out of his mouth, and is able to swallow.

Signs which are often mistaken for readiness for solid foods include:

• A larger appetite – he may just be experiencing an appetite spurt – you can respond by feeding him more frequently for a few days, if breastfeeding, or giving more milk if formula feeding.
• Teething – he may begin to cut his first teeth sometime around six months which helps with biting and chewing food. But some babies do get their first teeth sooner than this and a baby who is unsettled and putting his fists in his mouth may be teething rather than hungry.

Getting started

It helps to introduce solid foods gradually with one new food at a time. This makes the process less daunting for both of you and, if he has a reaction to anything, it will be easier to work out what caused it. Symptoms of food sensitivity include rashes, wheezing, red itchy eyes, fussiness or being unsettled, constipation and diarrhoea.

You don’t need to worry about  proper meals at first either; it’s more important to let your baby get used to eating solid food so just choose times that suit you. It helps to eat at the same time as your baby, so that they can copy and learn from what you are doing.  Eventually, you can build up to proper mealtimes that fit with your family’s routine.

Vegetables make ideal first foods. Cooked carrot, potato, parsnip, broccoli and sweet potato can be offered as pieces of finger food or chopped, sieved or mashed. You can adjust the smoothness depending on your baby’s age.

For a younger baby, you can add expressed breastmilk, formula or the water the vegetables were cooked in. Rice and cornmeal are also suitable, and babies are less likely to react to these than to foods made with wheat. Wheat-based foods contain gluten and this is not recommended for babies under six months. Other foods that you might want to avoid in the early stages of weaning include:

• Eggs
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Liver
• Nuts
• Seeds

• Soft and unpasteurised cheeses

Tips on weaning

• Let your baby enjoy touching and holding food.
• Always stay with your baby when they’re eating in case they start to choke.
• Allow your baby to feed themselves, using their fingers, as soon as they show an interest.
• Don’t force your baby – wait until next time if they're not interested.
• If you’re using a spoon, wait for your baby to open their mouth before you offer the food. Your baby may like to hold a spoon too.
• Start by offering just a few pieces or teaspoons of food, once a day.
• If the food is hot, allow it to cool and test it before giving it to your baby.
• Don’t add salt, sugar or stock cubes to your baby’s food or cooking water.

Baby-led weaning

Baby-led weaning is a way of introducing solid foods by letting your baby feed themselves when they are ready. This means it is more likely to tie in with their ability to take food into their mouth, move it around and swallow safely.

When it comes to weaning, the most important thing is to enjoy this new experience together and not get too hung up on what you should or shouldn’t be doing. Savour this time of learning and exploring new foods together.

Further information

NCT's helpline offers practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: 0300 330 0700.

You might find attending one of NCT's Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

NCT shop has a range of baby weaning accessories.

Take a look at the Start4life booklet ‘Introducing solid foods’.

NHS Choices has information on weaning your baby.