Your Baby's First Foods Journey: Navigating the Exciting World of Weaning
Starting your baby on solid foods is one of the most exciting milestones in their first year. It's also one that can feel overwhelming with so much conflicting advice available. From different schools of thought to equipment choices, let's explore what you need to know to make this journey enjoyable for both you and your baby.
When to Start: The Official Guidelines
The NHS recommends introducing solid foods around 6 months of age, alongside continued breast milk or formula feeding. This timing allows your baby's digestive system to develop properly and reduces the risk of allergies. Recent research shows that 40% of first-time mums introduce solids by 5 months, earlier than recommended, but waiting closer to 6 months generally makes the process smoother.
Look for these readiness signs: your baby can sit upright with minimal support, has lost the tongue-thrust reflex (pushing food back out), shows interest in your food, and can coordinate bringing objects to their mouth.
Different Schools of Thought
Traditional NHS Approach The NHS suggests starting with soft finger foods or mashed textures, mentioning purées only once in their latest guidance. This flexible approach allows you to respond to your baby's preferences and development.
Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) This approach means giving your baby only finger foods and letting them feed themselves from the start, rather than spoon-feeding purées. Babies explore whole foods cut into safe sizes, developing motor skills and food autonomy simultaneously.
Baby Rice Starting Point Some families begin with baby rice mixed with breast milk or formula. While easy to digest, it's nutritionally limited and many experts now suggest moving quickly to more varied foods.
GAPS Nutrition Approach The GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) diet for babies focuses on nutrient-dense, easily digestible foods like meat stock, cooked vegetables, and fermented foods to support gut health.
Brilliant Resources for Research
Solid Starts This comprehensive platform offers a database of 400+ foods with detailed guidance on how to serve each food safely at different ages, plus information on nutrition, choking prevention, and allergies. Their free app provides practical videos showing real babies eating different foods.
Boob to Food This Australian-based resource, founded by registered nurse and midwife Luka McCabe, focuses on evidence-based family nutrition with wholesome, whole-food approaches. They offer books, masterclasses, and a supportive community.
NHS Start for Life The NHS weaning hub provides official guidance, recipes, and meal ideas all in one place, cutting through confusion with trusted, evidence-based advice.
Continuing Milk Feeds
Breast milk or formula remains your baby's primary source of nutrition until around 12 months of age. The World Health Organisation recommends continuing breastfeeding alongside complementary foods until 2 years and beyond.
As your baby eats more solids, they may naturally want less milk at each feed or drop a milk feed altogether. Follow your baby's cues rather than forcing changes.
Water Introduction
Introduce water from around 6 months with meals. While open cups are ideal for development, they're not always practical! Munchkin Miracle 360 Cups allow babies to drink from any edge while minimising spills, or try Tommee Tippee First Cup which has handles for easier grip. Small amounts with meals are sufficient - breast milk or formula provides their main hydration.
Essential Equipment (You Need Less Than You Think!)
Must-Haves:
High chair with a good safety harness
Soft weaning spoons that are gentler on baby's gums
Baby bowl - bamboo options like Bamboo dinnerware from JoJo Maman Bébé are sustainable and naturally antibacterial
Drinking cup suitable for babies
A few good bibs - quality over quantity! Tommee Tippee Easi-Roll Bibs with catchers work brilliantly
Helpful Additions:
Messy mat under the high chair - IKEA Antilop Splat Mats are affordable and effective
Ice cube trays for batch cooking and freezing small portions
Food processor for making purées if needed - Tommee Tippee Quick Cook Baby Food Maker steams and blends in one
Bowls and Cutlery:
Doidy Cup for learning to drink independently
Soft-tipped spoons when baby shows interest in self-feeding
Tips to Remember
Watch Closely But Stay Relaxed Keep a close eye on your baby during mealtimes for safety, but try to stay calm and positive. Babies pick up on your energy, and a relaxed atmosphere makes mealtimes more enjoyable for everyone.
Embrace the Mess and Enjoy the Process Mess is part of learning! Watching your baby discover new textures, flavours, and develop their motor skills is genuinely magical. Take photos, laugh at the funny faces, and remember that food in hair and on the floor means they're exploring and learning.
Follow Your Baby's Lead Some days they'll eat everything, other days very little. This is completely normal. Trust that they know when they're hungry or full, and don't stress about specific amounts eaten.
Finding Your Way
Remember, there's no single "right" approach to weaning. Some babies thrive with baby-led weaning, others prefer spoon-feeding, and many do best with a combination. The most important thing is that your baby eats a wide variety of food and gets all the nutrients they need.
Your research journey might lead you to discover specific approaches that resonate with your family's values and your baby's needs. Whether you're drawn to traditional methods, baby-led weaning, or alternative nutrition philosophies, the key is choosing evidence-based approaches that support your baby's healthy development.
Trust your instincts, stay flexible, and remember that every baby develops at their own pace. Those first tastes of food mark the beginning of a lifelong relationship with eating - focus on making it positive, exploratory, and fun. With good resources, realistic expectations, and patience, you'll navigate this exciting phase with confidence.