5 Steps to Successfully Weaning Your Baby

Weaning your baby is an exciting time for you as a new parent, but it can also be stressful. 

Whether you are worried about how much your baby will eat, the mess that will no doubt be made, or you don’t know what foods you should be offering them first, the below post will tell you everything you need to know about weaning your baby.

Step 1: Check that your baby is ready

It is recommended that you start weaning your baby from 6 months onwards, although some mums start as early as 4 months.

If you are not sure if your baby is ready for solid food, you may want to look out for the below signs:

• Have good head and neck control

• Can sit up when supported and can sit in an upright position when held on your lap

• They reach out to grab objects and put them in their mouth

If you think your baby is ready for weaning before 6 months, it can be a good idea to talk to your doctor or health visitor to get their advice before you start the weaning process.

Step 2: Decide which weaning method

There are two weaning methods that you can choose from: spoon-feeding and baby-led weaning. If you prefer to be in control when it comes to your baby, you may be better off with spoon-feeding as you can see exactly how much they are eating.

However, if you are more of a laid-back parent, baby-led weaning can be a lot of fun, although you will need to embrace the mess. 

Step 3: Get the right equipment

While you don’t need to completely revamp your kitchen to start weaning, there are a few supplies that will make the process a lot easier. 

These include:

• A highchair that your baby can sit upright in

• A weaning suction tray such as this one from leading baby retailer Easy Tots

• Plastic spoons

• Bibs

You may also want to invest in a plastic mat under the highchair, which will help protect your floor from any spillages. 

Step 4: Choose the first foods

If you are spoon-feeding your baby, it can be a good idea to choose foods that do not have too strong a taste, such as an apple, banana, and sweet potato. Some mums also like to offer baby rice that is mixed with formula or breast milk.

For those that are embracing baby led weaning, soft foods such as melon, banana, and baked vegetables are all good options.

Step 5: Follow your baby’s pace

Don’t get too caught up in how much your baby is eating in the first few weeks of weaning, as it is more about them getting used to the tastes and textures of different foods. Instead, let your baby determine how much they want to eat, as pushing them to eat too much too soon can lead to them becoming anxious at mealtimes.

Start with just one meal per day, and then work your way up as your baby gets used to eating solid foods.