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When to start weaning

Why does my baby need to move onto food?
Milk is the ideal food for young babies, but as they grow and develop they will need more nutrients, which milk alone cannot provide. Another aim of weaning is to get baby used to new tastes and then a little later on, new textures, to lay a good foundation for healthy eating.

Also, weaning is the time for learning new skills, including taking food from a spoon, swallowing solid food and later on, biting and chewing food, and drinking from a cup.

When should I start?
Babies are individuals and develop at different rates and so won’t all be ready for weaning at the same age. Experts agree that babies should not be weaned before 4 months of age. Somewhere between 4 and 6 months, babies may start to show an interest in your food. They may be less satisfied with milk, demanding more feeds or waking up hungry instead of sleeping through. These signs may mean they are ready for weaning. You can ask your health visitor for advice on any aspect of weaning.

It may take a few weeks to get your baby used to having food regularly, so it’s best not to delay starting weaning beyond 6 months of age. Otherwise it doesn’t give your baby time to get used to the new sensation of eating, before they really need the food to provide extra nourishment.