How do you know your baby is ready to wean?
The age a baby is developmentally ready to start solids food and begin the weaning journey will vary from baby to baby. It’s important to be guided by your baby and look out for the vital signs they may be ready:
- Can your baby sit up?
- Has your baby lost their tongue – thrust reflex?
- Does your baby stare loving at your food as you eat?
- Is your baby keen & able to chew?
- Does your baby have the pincer skill developing?
Although we don’t advocate starting weaning until after six months many parents of hungry babies who are showing many of the signs above start their weaning journey earlier. However, this should NEVER be before 17 weeks.
What are good foods to start weaning your baby with?
Whatever foods you decided to start weaning with remember these first foods are just tasters for your baby – a couple of teaspoons are all your baby needs. Breastmilk or formula should still be the primary source of nutrition until your baby is 12 months.
Below is a table with some foods your baby may enjoy in the first few months of weaning. If your baby has a family history of allergies or has eczema please speak with your doctor before introducing common allergens (e.g. eggs, nuts, gluten, wheat, dairy, fish, shellfish, soya, sesame, citrus) to your baby.
Weaning Chart
| 17 weeks | 6 months | 7-9 months | 9-12 months |
| Food served as: | Food served as: | Food served as: | Food served as: |
| Smooth purees | Smooth purees/mashed foods | Pureed/Mashed foods & finger foods | Pureed/Mashed/ chopped food & finger foods |
| Introduce: | Introduce: | Introduce: | Introduce: |
| Vegetables: soft cooked root veg, green veg & potatoes. | Vegetables: soft cooked root veg, green veg & potatoes. | Vegetables: raw soft veg like cucumber | Vegetables: raw soft veg like cucumber & lightly cooked veg |
| Fruit: soft cooked apple, pears, peaches & tomatoes | Fruit: soft cooked berries & citrus fruits | Fruits: raw soft fruit & finger foods bananas, melon, avocado, kiwis | Fruits: raw soft fruit & finger foods bananas, melon, avocado, kiwis |
| Grains: smooth baby rice, ground quinoa & ground oats | Grains: gluten containing foods wheat, barley & rye | Grains: quinoa, millet, rice, couscous, noodles, wholegrain breads & pasta | Grains: quinoa, millet, rice, couscous, noodles, wholegrain breads & pasta |
| Protein: pureed pulses, lentils & meat | Protein: pureed or very finely chopped & mashed pulses, lentils, meat & fish | Protein: pureed or very finely chopped & mashed pulses, lentils, meat, fish & shellfish | Protein: pureed or very finely chopped & mashed pulses, lentils, meat, fish & shellfish |
| Dairy: yogurt, cheese, butter, milk (to cook with not drink), mashed eggs | Dairy: yogurt, cheese, butter, milk (to cook with not drink), mashed eggs | Dairy: yogurt, cheese, butter, milk (to cook with not drink), sliced boiled eggs | |
| Nuts: smooth nut butters & ground nuts | Nuts: smooth nut butters & ground nuts | Nuts: smooth nut butters & ground nuts |
Article written by Bellotababy, check their website for more information.
