Introducing your baby to solid foods, often called weaning onto foods, should start when your baby is around six months old. To begin with, how much your baby takes is less important than getting them used to the idea of eating. They will still be getting most of their nutrition from milk. Babies don’t need three meals a day to start with, so you can start by offering foods at a time that suits you both.
Gradually, you’ll be able to increase the amount and variety of food your baby eats until they can eventually eat the same as the rest of the family, in smaller portions.
The Baby Friendly Initiative and the Department of Health have produced a leaflet called Introducing solid foods, which contains all the information you need to safely introduce your baby to solid food as well as ideas for first foods and tips on how to encourage your baby to enjoy this new experience.
Click here to see a video clip of mothers talking about introducing their babies to solid foods.
FAQs
Do I have to start weaning at exactly six months?
No – not all babies mature at the same rate, but around six months is when your baby should be showing signs of being ready to eat other foods besides breastmilk.
Do I have to start weaning at exactly six months?
No – not all babies mature at the same rate, but around six months is when your baby should be showing signs of being ready to eat other foods besides breastmilk.
Your baby should be able to:
- Stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady.
- Co-ordinate their eyes, hand and mouth so that they can look at the food, pick it up and put it in their mouth all by themselves.
- Swallow food. Babies who are not ready will push their food back out, so they get more round their face than they do in their mouths.
