Weaning is the process by which babies who were fully reliant on milk are introduced to solid foods. It starts with the first mouthful of food and ends with the last feed of breastmilk or formula milk . When and how solid foods are introduced is vital to establishing healthy eating habits and limiting fussy eating.
When Are Babies Ready for Solid Food?
Most health experts recommend that babies start to transition to solid food from around 6 months of age. This age is often recommended because babies, at this age, begin to need extra nutrients not found in milk, such as iron and zinc. Small amounts of solid food can provide these nutrients.
Experts also suggest looking out for signs that a baby is developmentally ready for solids. These include:
- Sitting up well
- Good head control
- Can hold food in their mouth and is willing to chew
- Can pick up food and put it in their mouth
- Is curious at mealtimes and keen to get involved
It is rare for babies to be ready for solids before 6 months. If you think your baby is showing signs that they are ready for solids but aren’t yet 6 months old, speak to your pediatrician for advice.
Traditional vs Baby-Led Approach
Weaning is typically divided into two main approaches: traditional and baby-led.
There is no one correct way to start your baby on solids. That said, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach can help you make the best decision for you and your baby.
You can also mix these methods to determine what’s most appropriate.
Baby-Led Weaning
In this method, babies are encouraged to self-feed from the start. You can introduce solid foods as finger foods and allow your child to explore solids at their own pace.
Pros:
- It encourages independent eating sooner.
- Babies may be more likely to decide when they are full and less likely to be overweight in the long term
- It reduces the need for separate cooking, as family meals are usually appropriate.
- Your whole family can eat together.
Cons:
- It increases concerns around gagging and choking. However, if offered appropriate foods, your baby’s risk of choking should not be higher than under a traditional approach.
- It’s difficult to know how much food your baby has eaten.
- It can be messy.
- It may be more difficult to identify food allergies, as several foods are often introduced at once.
Traditional Weaning
In this approach, you feed your baby and gradually introduce it to more solid foods. You’ll begin with smooth purees before moving to mashed and chopped foods, then finger foods and finally small bites.
Pros:
- It’s easier to see how much your baby has eaten.
- It’s less messy.
Cons:
- Making separate meals and having to feed your baby can be time-consuming.
- There may be a higher risk of overfeeding, as you might struggle to read your baby’s fullness.
- If babies get too used to smooth purees, it may be difficult to move them to other textures.
The Bottom Line
Weaning is a vital process in which your baby transitions from breastmilk or formula to food.
Whether you choose baby-led or traditional weaning, or a mix of both, you should begin giving your baby soft fruits, veggies and cereals at around 6 months. You can then progress to other foods.