Moving your baby onto solids from formula or breast milk is something that your health visitor or midwife will talk you through during pregnancy and following the birth, but you may want to learn about it before you have even conceived as it's a detailed process that requires a little preparation.

Infants are generally ready to move onto solid foods when they're six months old. This follows the government guidelines that say breast milk alone doesn't hold enough nutrients for a healthy diet anymore, but it is not so easily that your baby could have an adverse reaction to allergens. When we say 'solids', babies are generally weaned onto mashed and pureed foods first. Baby-led weaning is a weaning method which includes 'finger food' given to the baby so that they learn to feed themselves. This finger food is anything that is such a shape that can be grasped in the baby's fist and which doesn't contain gluten, fish, seafood, eggs and nuts. Baby-led weaning is said to be especially good as it prepares the child for unusual textures (e.g. a broccoli tree or a juicy strawberry) so that they have a varied diet and don't become fussy in later childhood.

Your baby might show signs of being ready to start weaning before six months, such as taking an interest in what you are eating and trying to grab it, not dribbling anymore and developing teeth. A good indicator of whether they are ready is if they have doubled their birth weight. All babies should be able to sit up properly when supported if they are to be weaned, otherwise they may not be able to swallow from a spoon properly.

In terms of equipment, you don't actually need much at first. It may even be better for you or your partner to support your baby whilst the other one feeds to begin with, as some babies slip in high chairs. A 'Bumbo' is a great piece of equipment for the first few weeks and months of weaning as it's like a floor seat that helps your baby sit upright, but not wriggle out of. As it's on the floor it gives your baby the chance to get used to being fed in a chair, before they move up to being at table level. It's worth investing in a splash mat from the very beginning to save your carpets getting stained (this WILL happen if you don't protect them!).

The only reasons that might mean your baby shouldn't be weaned at six months are that they cannot sit up unsupported either because they are simply not at that stage yet or they are suffering from a disability, or they have a digestive disorder. If you or any close relatives of your child have food intolerances or allergies then speak to your midwife or doctor about weaning before you go ahead.

While weaning is a big milestone for your baby it doesn't mean that you should abandon everything you've learned through breast or bottle feeding. Maintain eye contact with your child when you spoon feed them, and provide a happy environment for them to eat in and interact with you.

Stan Tian

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