When and how to start introducing solids to your baby

The weaning process is an important part of a baby’s development and should be done with a lot of patience.

Your baby will learn to move from an all-liquid diet to pureed foods, and then onto lumpier meals, and finally to soft finger foods, such as cooked carrot sticks or broccoli florets. It can sometimes take ten or more tries for a new flavour or texture to be accepted by your baby, so don’t give up if they refuse it on their first go. Starting with healthy eating will give your baby a better start to a healthy future.

When to introduce solids to infants

Introducing your baby to solid foods, sometimes called weaning or complementary feeding, should begin at around 6 months. If your baby is going through a growth spurt (usually around 4 months), they will use more energy, which increases their appetite. But don’t mistake this for a sign that they are ready for weaning. Your baby shouldn’t start solid foods before 4 months, as their digestive system isn’t ready for anything other than milk at that stage.

Are purees considered solids?

Yes. “Solids” refers to any food other than breast milk or formula milk, including smooth purees. So introducing solids simply means starting your baby on food alongside their milk, beginning with purees and gradually working up to lumpier textures and finger foods.

Signs your baby is ready for solids

• Staying in a sitting position and holding their head upright, able to move it steadily from side to side
• Coordinating their hands, eyes and mouth
• Swallowing food rather than pushing it back out

Foods to introduce at 6 months

Once your baby is 6 months of age, begin offering solid foods alongside breast milk. It’s an important process because once they reach their first birthday, breast milk alone is not enough for a healthy, balanced diet.

Here is how to introduce solids and the best foods to start weaning your baby.

What purees to introduce first

At the beginning, your baby will eat only small portions of pureed vegetables, so breast milk or infant formula will still be their main source of nutrition.

Weaning your baby on vegetables gives them a better start toward healthier eating in the future. It’s best to start with bitter vegetables such as broccoli, parsnip, spinach and beetroot. Introduce one vegetable at a time so they get used to it and learn its taste and texture.

For babies who are solely breastfed, it is important to feed them iron-rich foods in safe, age-appropriate textures. These might include iron-fortified cereals, mashed beans or lentils, finely shredded soft meat, flaked fish with all bones removed, well-cooked egg, and dark green vegetables.

Remember not to add anything (salt and sugar) to these foods – plain and simple is best.

During these mealtimes, if you choose to, offer them water or diluted fruit juice (1:10) in an open or free-flow cup to keep them hydrated.

Spoon-feeding tips

When it comes to first foods for a baby, a calm, unhurried approach works best.

• Start with a happy, highly expressive face to reassure your little one
• Start with a very small amount of puree on the tip of the spoon, show it to your baby and tell them what they are having
• Bring the spoon up to their mouth, leaving a trace amount on their bottom lip
• Model lip-smacking movements to encourage your baby to copy and taste the puree
• Repeat this process by first putting the puree on the inside of their lips, then on their tongue
• Encourage your baby to open and close their mouth by saying “ahhh” as the spoon approaches and “mmm” to close

Slowly increase the amount of puree, but stop when your baby shows signs they’ve had enough.

Milk and dairy

Cow’s milk can be used in cooking or mixed with food from around 6 months, but it should not be given as a main drink before they are a year old, as it will fill them and doesn’t contain enough nutrients on its own.

How to transition from purees to solids

Once your little one is comfortable with purees, slowly introduce more solid foods by increasing the texture and offering finger foods.

When to seek further support

Weaning takes time, and every baby moves at their own pace, so try not to worry if progress feels slow. Some gagging can be normal as babies learn to manage their first solid foods, but always stay with your baby while they eat. If gagging is frequent, feeding feels difficult, or you are worried about your baby choking, speak to a health visitor, GP or healthcare professional.
For more guidance and tips, explore the Capricare® Parent Support Hub.