Baby · Weaning
Weaning Readiness
NHS UK: start around 6 months. 3 signs of readiness: sits + holds head steady, hand-eye-mouth coordination, swallows food. Vegetables first. Introduce allergens around 6 months. NICE NG194.
Last reviewed 2 June 2026
Weaning readiness
Is my baby ready for solids?
✅ The three readiness signs (NHS)
⚠️ These are NOT readiness signs (commonly mistaken)
Getting started — practical tips
- Start with single foods. Vegetables and fruits, broccoli, sweet potato, banana, avocado, pear. Iron-rich foods are particularly important from 6 months (meat, fortified cereals, lentils, eggs).
- One new food at a time in the early days — easier to spot any reaction.
- Introduce common allergens early — peanut, egg, dairy, wheat, sesame, fish, shellfish, soya, tree nuts — by 12 months, ideally from 6 months (or 4 months in high-risk babies per LEAP / EAT). DELAYING allergens does NOT prevent allergies.
- Don't add salt, sugar, honey (under 1), or stock cubes (high salt).
- Choose: spoon-fed purée, baby-led weaning (finger foods), or BOTH — all approaches work. BLW + iron-rich foods needs particular attention.
- Continue breast / formula milk on demand. Milk is the main calorie source until 12 months.
- Sit and eat together when you can. Modelling matters more than the food itself early on.
- Mess is part of learning. Splat mats, easy-clean highchair, embrace it.
- Avoid choking hazards: whole nuts, whole grapes (quarter them), large chunks of raw apple/carrot, hot dogs, popcorn, gum, hard sweets, fish bones.
Common weaning questions
- "When should I start weaning my baby?" Around 6 months for most babies, with the three NHS readiness signs (sitting + coordination + swallowing). NOT before 17 weeks. Some babies are ready slightly earlier; some need a bit longer. Watching you eat or chewing fists are NOT readiness signs — they happen in all babies from ~4 months.
- "Will starting solids help my baby sleep?" No good evidence. The Perkin 2018 EAT trial sub-analysis found a small effect on sleep at 4-6 months. But the trade-off (starting too early when gut + kidneys + coordination not ready) outweighs any sleep benefit. Wait for the readiness signs.
- "Baby-led weaning vs purées — which is better?" Both approaches work. BLW (Baby-Led Weaning, Rapley) involves finger foods from the start; purées go through spoon-fed stages first. The BLISS trial (NZ) found no major outcome differences. Most families end up combining. Iron intake needs attention in BLW — offer iron-rich foods (meat, lentils, fortified cereal) early.
- "When to introduce peanut?" Current guidance is EARLY — from 6 months for most babies (peanut butter mixed into food, NOT whole nuts). For high-risk babies (severe eczema, egg allergy, family hx peanut allergy), discuss with GP about earlier introduction from 4 months. LEAP trial 2015 showed early peanut introduction REDUCES peanut allergy risk by ~80% in high-risk infants. Delaying does NOT prevent allergy.
- "What if my baby gags?" Gagging is a NORMAL protective reflex — different from choking. Gagging: noisy, baby moves things to the front of mouth and swallows or spits. Choking: silent, can’t breathe, going blue. Learn paediatric first aid (back blows + chest thrusts for under-1s, abdominal thrusts for over-1s). Cut high-risk foods appropriately.
- "My baby refuses solids — should I worry?" Some babies take a few weeks to engage. Keep offering without pressure; eat together; don’t replace milk feeds. Persistent refusal past 7-8 months, or weight not gaining, see your health visitor or GP — could be sensory aversion, reflux, or rarely something like FPIES.
- "How much should my 6-month-old eat?" Tiny amounts initially — a teaspoon or two. Build to 1 then 2 then 3 small meals over 4-6 weeks. Milk is still the main calorie source until 12 months. Trust your baby’s appetite cues.
- "Cow’s milk — when can I switch?" Whole cow’s milk as a MAIN drink from 12 months. Used in cooking (porridge, sauces) from 6 months is fine. Don’t use as the main drink before 12 months — too low in iron, too high in protein/sodium for that age group.
- "Vegetarian / vegan weaning?" Possible with careful planning. Iron (lentils, beans, fortified cereals, dark leafy greens + vitamin C for absorption), B12 (fortified plant milks or supplement), DHA omega-3 (algae oil supplement), calcium, vitamin D, zinc all need attention. Paediatric dietitian input is wise.
- "Vitamin drops in the UK?" NHS recommends vitamin A, C, and D drops from 6 months for breastfed babies and any baby drinking < 500 mL formula daily. Free under Healthy Start for eligible families.
- "My baby has eczema — start solids differently?" Severe eczema increases food allergy risk. NICE / BSACI: discuss early peanut and egg introduction from 4 months with your GP / paediatric allergy team. Manage the eczema aggressively (emollients + mild steroids).
- "Choking hazards I should know about?" Whole nuts (any age), whole grapes / cherry tomatoes (quarter lengthways), large chunks of raw apple / carrot, sausages / hot dogs in rounds (slice lengthways), popcorn, gum, hard sweets, fish with bones, marshmallows, lollipops. Avoid until at least 3-5 years depending on item.
- "Is it OK to skip purées entirely?" Yes — BLW is well-evidenced. Just make sure you offer iron-rich finger foods from the start, supervise closely, and learn paediatric first aid for gagging vs choking.
Educational tool only — not medical advice. If your baby is not gaining weight, has severe feeding aversion, or you have specific concerns (severe eczema, family history of food allergy), see your GP / health visitor / paediatric dietitian.
What does this mean?
The current consensus across NHS, WHO, AAP, and major paediatric bodies is to start solids around 6 months — not before 17 weeks (4 months), and with all three readiness signs present: (1) sits up and holds head steady, (2) can look at food, pick it up, and put it in their own mouth, (3) can swallow food rather than push it back out (decline of the tongue-thrust reflex). The most common mistake parents make is treating watching you eat, chewing fists, or waking at night more often as readiness signs — they’re not. Every baby does those from about 4 months as normal development. They’re fun signs of growing curiosity, not signals to start solids. The starting-solids landscape has changed in important ways in the last decade. The biggest is early allergen introduction: the LEAP trial (NEJM 2015) showed that introducing peanut early (from 4–6 months) in babies with severe eczema or egg allergy reduced peanut allergy by ~80%. The EAT trial (NEJM 2016) extended this to other common allergens. The old advice to delay allergenic foods has been completely reversed: introduce peanut, egg, dairy, wheat, sesame, fish, shellfish, soya, and tree nuts (in age-appropriate forms — e.g. smooth peanut butter not whole nuts) by 12 months, ideally from 6 months for most babies and from 4 months for high-risk babies (severe eczema, existing egg allergy, family history). The other big shift is baby-led weaning (BLW) vs purées. The BLISS trial in New Zealand found no major outcome differences between approaches — both work. Most families end up combining. BLW needs particular attention to iron (offer iron-rich foods early: meat, lentils, fortified cereals) and to paediatric first aid for gagging vs choking (gagging is a normal protective reflex; choking is silent and an emergency). Practical principles: introduce common allergens early; avoid salt, sugar, honey under 1, and known choking hazards (whole nuts, whole grapes, large chunks of raw apple); continue breast/formula milk as the main calorie source until 12 months; iron-rich foods become particularly important from 6 months as iron stores deplete; switch to whole cow’s milk as a main drink at 12 months. Babies are good self-regulators — trust appetite cues, eat together when you can, and embrace the mess.
When to start
- NHS UK: around 6 months.
- Not before 17 weeks.
- Not after 26 weeks.
Three signs of readiness
- Sits up + holds head steady.
- Coordinates eyes, hands, mouth.
- Can swallow food (tongue-thrust reflex reduced).
Not signs of readiness (mistakes)
- Waking more (growth spurt).
- Watching others eat (curiosity).
- Chewing fists (teething / soothing).
- Weight gain alone.
Approaches
- Spoon-fed purees: smooth → mashed → chunky.
- Baby-led weaning (BLW): finger foods, baby self-feeds.
- Combination: both.
Either approach safe; outcomes similar.
First foods
- Vegetables first (carrot, sweet potato, broccoli).
- Then fruits (banana, avocado, pear).
- Iron-fortified baby cereal.
- Soft chicken / fish.
- Lion-marked egg.
- Well-cooked beans / pulses.
Foods to avoid
- Whole nuts (<5 yr) — choking.
- Salt (<1 g/day; no added).
- Sugar / honey under 1 yr.
- Cow’s milk as drink under 1.
- Raw shellfish.
- High-mercury fish.
- Unpasteurised dairy.
Allergen introduction (NICE NG194)
- Introduce around 6 months — not delayed.
- One at a time, watch 2-3h.
- Continue 2-3x/week if tolerated.
- High-risk (severe eczema / egg allergy): peanut under medical guidance.
- Common 8: peanut, egg, milk, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish, shellfish.
Choking vs gagging
- Gagging: normal reflex. Coughing, retching. Don’t intervene.
- Choking: airway blocked. SILENT. Blue lips. EMERGENCY. Back blows + chest thrusts.
Choking prevention
- Grapes / cherry tomatoes: quarter lengthwise.
- Sausages: cut lengthwise.
- Whole nuts: avoid under 5.
- Hard apple / carrot: cooked or grated.
- Popcorn: avoid under 3-4.
- Supervise meals always.
How much
- 1-2 tsp once/day at 6 mo.
- 3 meals/day by 7-9 mo.
- Family meals 10-12 mo.
- Milk primary <1 yr (500-700 ml).
- Follow hunger cues.
Iron + nutrients
- From 6 mo: iron stores deplete.
- Iron foods: meat, fortified cereal, beans, eggs.
- Vitamin C with iron helps absorption.
- Vitamin D supplement (NHS).
Cow’s milk
- Not main drink <12 mo.
- Small amounts in cooking fine.
- From 1 yr: whole cow’s milk.
- 2 yr: semi-skimmed.
- 5 yr: skimmed.
Vegan / vegetarian
Possible with planning. B12 supplement essential for vegan. Iron, calcium, vitamin D, omega-3 (algae). Dietitian helpful.
Different scenarios
Scenario 1: 5 mo, watching parents eat, parents wonder if ready
Curiosity, not necessarily readiness. Wait for all 3 signs.
Scenario 2: 6 mo + 1 wk, all 3 signs
Start solids. Vegetables first. Introduce allergens around 6 mo.
Scenario 3: 4 mo, severe reflux, paediatrician suggests early solids
Earlier under medical guidance. NOT routinely.
Scenario 4: 7 mo, baby gagging on finger foods
Normal gagging reflex. Continue safely — supervise. Doesn’t mean choking.
Scenario 5: 9 mo, eczema family + peanut introduction worry
NICE NG194 supports peanut around 6 mo. High-risk: medical guidance.
Care guidance
- Around 6 months when all 3 signs met.
- Vegetables first.
- Allergens around 6 mo (not delayed).
- Avoid salt, sugar, honey under 1.
- Vitamin D supplement.
- Supervise meals always.
- Learn infant basic life support.
Sources
- NICE NG194. Postnatal care — feeding.
- NHS. Your baby’s first solid foods.
- Du Toit G, et al. LEAP trial — peanut introduction. NEJM 2015.
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Frequently asked questions
When can I start weaning?
NHS UK: AROUND 6 MONTHS (not before 17 weeks; not after 26 weeks). Baby’s gut + immune system + neurological coordination develops by 6 months. SIGNS of readiness (all 3): (1) SITS UP + holds head steady; (2) CAN COORDINATE eyes, hands, mouth to look, pick up + put food in mouth; (3) CAN SWALLOW food (less tongue-thrust reflex). NOT NECESSARILY by 6 months exactly — baby-led readiness.
What are signs of readiness vs not?
READY: sits independently with little support, grabs at food, mouth-led, no tongue-thrust, increased feeding interest. NOT READY (sometimes mistaken as readiness): waking more (could be growth spurt), watching others eat (curiosity not readiness), chewing fists (teething or self-soothing), increased weight + appetite (could still be milk). WAIT for all 3 SIGNS not just one.
Why not before 17 weeks?
EU + UK consensus: solids before 17 weeks (4 months) NOT RECOMMENDED for healthy term babies because (1) gut maturity insufficient; (2) higher risk of GASTROINTESTINAL issues; (3) higher risk of OBESITY later; (4) higher INFECTION risk; (5) early solids replace nutritious milk too soon. SOME exceptional cases (e.g. severe reflux, very large babies, medical advice) earlier under GUIDANCE only.
Spoon-fed (purees) vs baby-led weaning (BLW)?
(1) SPOON-FED PUREES: smooth then mashed then chunkier; control over amount; suitable for preterm / cautious / younger start. (2) BABY-LED WEANING (BLW): finger foods from start; baby self-feeds soft, well-cooked, finger-friendly foods; promotes self-regulation + chewing skills; messier. (3) COMBO approach common. EVIDENCE supports either approach; BLW + purees have similar long-term outcomes when done safely.
What foods to start with?
First foods: VEGETABLES first (carrot, sweet potato, parsnip, broccoli, courgette — helps establish vegetable acceptance). Followed by: FRUITS (banana, avocado, soft pear, apple). Then: BABY RICE / baby cereal (iron-fortified important from 6+ months); BABY-FRIENDLY meat / fish (chicken, white fish); EGG (Lion-marked; from 6+ months); WELL-COOKED beans / pulses. INTRODUCE potential allergens (peanut, egg, dairy, fish) one at a time around 6 months per NICE NG194.
Which foods to AVOID?
(1) WHOLE NUTS until 5 years (choking); (2) SALT (less than 1g/day — no added salt; avoid stock cubes, processed); (3) SUGAR (no added; honey under 1 yr — botulism); (4) WHOLE MILK as DRINK before 1 year (small amounts in cooking fine); (5) RAW shellfish; (6) RUNNY-yolk eggs (non-Lion); (7) UNDERCOOKED meat; (8) HIGH-MERCURY fish; (9) UNPASTEURISED dairy; (10) CAFFEINE; (11) RAW honey under 1.
Allergen introduction — when + how?
NICE NG194 + LEAP trial: INTRODUCE peanut + egg around 6 months (not delayed) reduces allergy risk. (1) START small amount of allergen 1 at a time; (2) WATCH 2-3 hours for reaction; (3) IF NO reaction, continue regularly (2-3x week); (4) HIGH-RISK (severe eczema, egg allergy): introduce peanut under medical guidance at 4-6 months. ALL 8 common: peanut, egg, milk, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish, shellfish.
Choking vs gagging — difference?
(1) GAGGING: NORMAL protective reflex; baby moves food forward; coughing, retching, red face. BABY HANDLES IT. Don’t intervene unless choking. (2) CHOKING: AIRWAY BLOCKED; SILENT (no cry / cough); BLUE LIPS; CAN’T cry. EMERGENCY. Action: BLW basic life support (back blows + chest thrusts, infant CPR). PREVENT: cut food appropriately, supervise meals always, never propped or unattended.
Choking prevention — food preparation?
(1) GRAPES: cut LENGTHWISE in QUARTERS. (2) CHERRY TOMATOES: same. (3) SAUSAGES: cut lengthwise (don’t serve as rounds). (4) WHOLE NUTS: avoided under 5; smooth nut butter fine. (5) HARD APPLE / CARROT: cooked or grated. (6) POPCORN: avoided under 3-4. (7) HARD SWEETS: avoided. (8) MARSHMALLOWS: small + supervised. (9) STRINGY MEAT: well-cooked + small pieces.
How much should baby eat?
VARIABLE. Start with: 1-2 teaspoons once/day at 6 months; build to 3 meals/day by 7-9 months; family meals by 10-12 months. MILK still PRIMARY nutrition under 1 year: ~500-700 ml breast milk or formula daily. BABY decides amount — don’t pressure; follow baby’s hunger cues. SOLIDS COMPLEMENT not replace milk under 1 year.
Iron + nutrient considerations?
From 6 MONTHS: baby’s iron stores from pregnancy deplete. (1) IRON-RICH foods: meat, fortified baby cereal, beans, lentils, leafy greens, eggs; (2) VITAMIN C with iron meals (helps absorption); (3) VITAMIN D supplement (NHS: 8.5-10 mcg daily 0-1 yr if breastfed; formula babies if <500 ml/day formula). VEGAN / VEGETARIAN: extra iron, B12, vitamin D, calcium, omega-3 (algae) attention.
What about cow’s milk?
WHOLE COW’S MILK: not as MAIN DRINK before 12 months (inadequate iron + nutrients for baby’s needs). FROM 1 YEAR: whole cow’s milk fine as drink. SEMI-SKIMMED from 2 years. SKIMMED from 5 years. SMALL AMOUNTS in cooking before 1 year: fine (e.g. cheese sauce, scrambled egg).
Vegan / vegetarian weaning?
POSSIBLE with care + planning. EXTRA attention to: (1) PROTEIN (beans, lentils, tofu, eggs/dairy if vegetarian); (2) IRON (fortified cereals, beans, tahini, dark greens; vitamin C with meal); (3) B12 (supplement essential for vegan); (4) CALCIUM (fortified plant milks, leafy greens, tofu); (5) VITAMIN D supplement; (6) OMEGA-3 (algae oil); (7) ZINC, IODINE. DIETITIAN involvement helpful. NHS Vegan Society resources.
How does this relate to other calculators on BumpBites?
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