When to start introducing solid foods
Introducing your baby to solid foods, often called 'weaning', should start when your baby is around six months old. Babies only need breastmilk or infant formula for the first six months of life. This gives their digestive system time to develop so that they cope fully with solid foods. This includes solid food made into purees and cereals mixed with milk.
Introducing solid foods is a really important step in your baby’s development. Exploring new flavours and textures together can be great fun.
To begin with, how much your baby eats is less important than getting them used to the idea of eating. They will still be getting most of their nutrition from breastmilk or infant formula. 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.
Why it’s important to wait until they’re ready
If you're breastfeeding, feeding only your milk up to around six months will give them extra protection against infection, and it will keep protecting them for as long as you carry on.
Whether your baby has breastmilk or infant formula, waiting until your baby is ready for food will save a lot of time too. They will quickly be able to feed themselves, and with less mess as they’ll be able to swallow properly.
Three signs your baby is ready for solids
Every baby is an individual, but there are three clear signs which, together, show that your baby is ready for some solid foods alongside breastmilk or infant formula. It’s rare for these signs to appear together before six months.
- They stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady.
- They 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.
- They can swallow food. Babies who are not ready will push their food back out.
Some signs mistaken for a baby being ready for solid foods:
- They chew their fists.
- They wake in the night when they have previously slept through.
- They want extra milk feeds.
These are normal baby behaviours and not necessarily a sign of hunger, nor being ready to start solid food. Starting solid foods won't make them any more likely to sleep through. Extra feeds are usually enough until they're ready for other food.
Getting started
- Let your baby enjoy touching and holding the 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 this time.
- 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.
If you do decide to introduce your baby to solid foods before six months, there are some foods you should avoid as they may cause food allergies or make your baby ill. These include:
- wheat-based foods and other foods containing gluten (for example, bread, rusks and some breakfast cereals)
- eggs
- fish
- shellfish
- liver
- nuts
- seeds
- soft and unpasteurised cheeses
More information
For more information about introducing solid foods, go to:
Back to Breastfeeding
Back to Bottle feeding
