“Perfection only exists in babies and pastries.” —Gayle Wray

#1 When to start?
The NHS recommends waiting until around six months before introducing solid foods, as this is when most babies have developed the necessary skills to eat safely. However, every baby is unique, and their readiness for solids may vary. While some babies may show signs of readiness a little earlier, others may need more time to develop the necessary skills. It is essential to follow your baby’s cues rather than relying strictly on age alone.
#2 Why wait until six months?
Parents often ask why we need to wait until six months to introduce solid foods, especially when grandparents recall weaning their children much earlier and may not understand the change in guidance.
We now know that breastmilk or formula provides all the nutrition a baby needs for the first six months, supporting healthy growth and development without the need for solids. By waiting until around six months, we ensure that babies have developed the necessary digestive, motor, and immune system maturity to handle solids safely.
Before this age, a baby’s digestive system is still maturing, making it harder to process food and absorb essential nutrients. Introducing solids too early can also increase the risk of allergies, digestive discomfort, and infections, as their immune system is not yet fully developed.
Additionally, at six months, most babies have the physical skills needed for safe eating, they can sit up with support, swallow food efficiently, and bring food to their mouths. In the past, it was common to start weaning as early as three or four months, often based on beliefs that early solids would help babies sleep longer or gain weight more quickly. However, research has since shown that early weaning provides no clear benefits and may even pose risks to a baby’s health.
For these reasons, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and NHS now recommend introducing solids at around six months, following modern scientific understanding of infant nutrition and development.
#3 Signs of Readiness
The key signs of readiness include:
Sitting in a seated position and holding their head and neck steady – Your baby should be able to sit upright with minimal support and maintain good head control, which is crucial for safe swallowing and reducing the risk of choking.
Hand-eye coordination – They should be able to pick up food, bring it to their mouth, and attempt to chew and swallow, showing they are physically ready to explore solids.
Swallowing food instead of pushing it back out – Babies who are not yet ready for solids will often push food out with their tongue (known as the tongue-thrust reflex). This reflex naturally fades around six months, allowing them to swallow food more effectively.
Common Myths About Readiness
Some behaviours are often mistaken as signs that a baby is ready for solid foods, but these alone do not mean your baby is ready.
Chewing fists – Many babies put their hands in their mouths as a natural part of exploring their bodies and surroundings, not necessarily because they need solid food.
Waking up more frequently at night – Sleep patterns change for many reasons, introducing solids early will not necessarily improve sleep and may even cause digestive discomfort.
Wanting more milk feeds – Babies go through growth spurts, during which they may temporarily feed more often. This does not mean they need solids; breastmilk or formula alone provides all the nutrition they need until around six months.
#4 What equipment will I need?
Highchair – A sturdy, easy-to-clean highchair with a supportive backrest, harness and a footrest to help your baby sit comfortably and safely during meals.
Soft-tipped weaning spoons – Designed for little mouths and gums, these are gentle and easy to hold.
Baby bowls and plates – Non-slip or suction-based bowls and plates help prevent spills and keep food in place.
Open or free-flow sippy cup – The NHS recommends introducing an open cup or a free-flow (non-valved) sippy cup with meals to help babies learn to sip and reduce tooth decay risks.
Bibs and splash mats – Weaning can get messy! Waterproof or wipeable bibs and a splash mat under the highchair can help with easy clean-up.
Weaning pots or ice cube trays – Useful for batch-cooking and storing small portions of purees in the fridge or freezer.
Handy wipes or cloths – For cleaning up little hands, faces, and messes quickly, re-useable cloths are great as you can wash and re - use without lots of waste.
Cutlery - introducing baby friendly cutlery, that being said usually a spoon and or fork at first, use soft silicone ones first, some babies love holding onto something and learn that crucial life skill of using cutlery.

#How do I start and what approach do I take?
Spoon-Fed Weaning
Spoon-fed weaning involves offering smooth purees or mashed foods with a spoon, gradually increasing texture as the baby develops chewing skills. This method allows parents to ensure their baby receives a variety of nutrients while introducing different flavours at a steady pace. Over time, babies progress from purees to lumpier textures and eventually to more solid foods. Spoon-feeding can be especially useful for parents who want to track how much their baby is eating and ensure they are getting enough food.
Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)
BLW encourages babies to feed themselves from the start by offering soft finger foods they can pick up and explore independently. This approach helps develop hand-eye coordination, chewing ability, and fine motor skills. Babies are given appropriately sized pieces of food, such as steamed vegetables, soft fruits, or strips of cooked meat, allowing them to eat at their own pace. Unlike spoon-feeding, BLW lets babies decide how much they eat, promoting self-regulation of appetite. However, it can be messier, and parents need to be mindful of offering safe, soft foods to reduce the risk of choking.
Combination Approach
Many parents find that a combination approach—incorporating both spoon-feeding and baby-led weaning (BLW)—offers the best of both worlds.
With this approach, parents might offer soft, mashed, or pureed foods on a spoon while also providing finger foods for their baby to explore independently. For example, a meal could include spoon-fed porridge alongside soft banana slices for the baby to hold and eat at their own pace. This combination helps babies develop important skills such as chewing, hand-eye coordination, and self-feeding, while also allowing parents to monitor food intake.
Regardless of the method, it’s important to follow your baby’s cues, avoid forcing food, and continue providing breastmilk or formula alongside solids until at least 12 months, as milk remains the primary source of nutrition in the first year.
#5 Embrace the Mess
Messiness is an inevitable part of the weaning journey, especially when incorporating finger foods and self-feeding. Babies learn through touch, taste, and exploration, and getting messy is how they develop sensory awareness and fine motor skills. Smearing food, squishing textures, and even dropping pieces on the floor are all part of the learning process. Rather than seeing it as an inconvenience, try to embrace the mess as a positive sign that your baby is engaging with their food.
To make cleanup easier, consider using:
Protective mats under the highchair, particularly the 'catchy' has been useful in previous experience
Wipeable or long-sleeved bibs with catch pockets to reduce food waste
Easy-to-clean highchairs and surfaces to save time on scrubbing
Allowing your baby to get messy fosters independence and confidence with food, helping them enjoy mealtimes without pressure.
#6 Patience and Adaptability
Like all aspects of parenting, introducing solid foods requires patience and adaptability. Babies develop at their own pace, and their preferences, appetite, and reactions can change daily. One day, they may love a new food, and the next, they might reject it. This is completely normal!
Be prepared for:
Food refusal – Babies may need multiple exposures to a new food before accepting it, so don’t be discouraged
Changing preferences – Tastes evolve, and what they dislike today may become a favourite later
Varying appetites – Growth spurts, teething, or illness can all affect how much they eat
The key is to stay patient, relaxed, and responsive to your baby’s cues. Avoid pressuring them to eat, and instead, focus on making mealtimes fun, engaging, and stress-free. Remember, weaning is a journey, and every baby progresses at their own pace!
#8 Introducing allergen food
Introducing allergenic foods during the weaning stage is an important step in reducing the risk of food allergies later in life. Research has shown that early introduction of common allergens such as peanuts, eggs, and dairy at around 6 months of age, can help the immune system build tolerance and lower the likelihood of developing allergies. It’s recommended to introduce one allergenic food at a time and observe for any signs of an allergic reaction and try to avoid introducing just before they are about to sleep, so you can keep an eye on them.
Gradually incorporating these foods into your baby’s diet, under the guidance of a healthcare professional like a health visitor will really help you with confidence to introduce these foods and the the allergic signs to look out for and what to do if this happens.
#8 Prioritise Safety
Choking Hazards and First Aid Knowledge: While introducing solid foods and finger foods, it's crucial to be prepared for potential choking hazards or allergic reactions. Have a look in your local area for first aid courses running specifically for first aid with children.
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