Establishing a good weaning routine

When should I start weaning?

As your baby develops, their nutritional needs change too, and there comes a stage, when a milk feed just isn’t enough to satisfy them. This often happens around 4 to 6 months of age, when many babies are ready for weaning.

The Department of Health recommends weaning from 6 months, however as every baby is different and develops at their own pace, some babies may be ready slightly before this age. Weaning should not begin before 17 weeks so just look for the common signs of weaning and let your baby be your guide or have a chat with your health visitor.

Planning your baby’s weaning routine

Moving to solids is a big milestone for you and your baby, so it’s not surprising that some mums can feel unsure about what and when to feed. Establishing a feeding routine at set times each day will help your baby get used to their new weaning diet.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to weaning, but it’s always a good idea to start slowly; one meal of solid food a day to test the water is fine. Then move up to two or three solid meals a day. You’ll probably find that the more solids your baby eats, the less milk they’ll want. However, milk is still a crucial part of their diet as it ensures they're getting all the nutrients they need and remains their main source of vitamins, minerals, fats and nutrients. It should continue to be part of their diet until they’re at least 12 months old.

First weaning foods

Your baby’s first weaning foods should be both gentle in flavour and smooth in texture. Purées are ideal for starting to learn how to swallow solid foods. Many mums start off with baby rice, mixed up with some of their usual baby milk. This helps to introduce babies to a subtle new texture with a familiar taste, making it less strange for them to eat.

Don’t worry if your baby seems to spit out everything you give them, it can take a while for them to learn how to eat and get used to new tastes and textures – after all, they’ve only been used to milk until now. Just take it slowly and don’t give up!

For a more detailed plan of what to feed your baby, take a look at our online 7-day meal planner.