What is weaning?

This is the introduction of the first solid foods to a baby who has only ever had breast milk or baby bottle formula.

Why wean?

Solid foods are important for the development of lip, tongue and jaw movements. New tastes and textures help encourage babies to eat a good range of foolds. Babies also reach a point where breast or formula milk is not enough to help them grow.

When to start?

We recommend that weaning starts when your baby is between five and seven months old, the age they are from their birth date and not from their corrected age date.

Government guidelines for term babies, recommend that weaning shouldn’t happen before six months old, however this does not include guidelines for premature babies. Very occasionally a premature baby may benefit from weaning before five months, but this must be discussed with the healthcare team.

As well as your baby being between five to seven months this should always be taken with other signs that your baby is ready to begin weaning.

This would include:

•    Your baby showing interest in other people eating 
•    Your baby putting things into his or her mouth and drooling
•    Your baby seems ready for something new 
•    Your baby seems less satisfied with milk alone.
•    Your baby may begin waking in the night, where before they slept longer

Reasons to start weaning:

• Many babies start to be able to make some early 'chewing movements' from around four months. They also use their tongue and lips to explore toys and food. It is important for the development of the mouth and jaw muscles that babies start solids around the time that these chewing movements start.

• At around five to seven months, babies are usually willing to take new flavours. As they grow older, they may become suspicious of new foods, this can make the acceptance of new foods and flavours harder to introduce into a balanced diet.

• If a baby gets used to a spoon and semi-solid foods by seven months, it will be easier to introduce solid foods that need chewing later.

Some important points to remember about weaning:

• If you are concerned about food allergy, speak to your health visitor, baby's consultant or a dietician. This is usually only a problem if there is a strong history of allergy in your family.

• If you are not sure if a particular food is safe or you want to give your baby a vegetarian or vegan diet, talk about this with your health visitor, baby's consultant or dietician, if possible.
For further advice, please visit the Vegetarian Society or the Vegan Society websites

• Do not add salt, sugar or chilli to your baby's food. As your baby takes more and more different foods, including family foods, he or she will take in salt that has already been added. Remember, it’s best to keep salt intake down.

• Once your baby is on two meals a day, give him or her cooled boiled water or baby juice at meal times, or between meals if milk is refused. This is especially important in hot weather, to avoid dehydration. Try using a beaker or cup rather than a bottle.

• Make sure that baby juices are diluted with cooled boiled water, as the manufacturer suggests. This will help reduce the risk of tooth decay. Even if a baby doesn't yet have teeth, some people start 'tooth-brushing' with a baby brush and toothpaste once foods containing sugar are started. Ask your health visitor about fluoride supplements.

• Do not leave bottles of milk or juice in your baby's mouth when he or she is asleep, because of the risk of choking and tooth decay.

• Giving your baby a variety of solids from early on can help avoid fussiness later. It also means that your baby gets a good balance of nutrients.

For more information download our booklet Weaning your premature baby

Further advice, support and publications can be requested by phoning our Family Support Helpline on FREEPHONE 0500 618140. The line is open from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can also email us at enquiries@bliss.org.uk