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Your Health Visiting Service is here to support you with introducing solid foods to your baby or ‘weaning’ around 6 months of age. We also offer recorded information sessions on this topic.
Your baby’s milk is all they need until they’re 6 months old, with the only exception being any baby not having 500ml of formula per day being recommended to take a Vitamin D supplement (even if receiving breastmilk where the breastfeeding mother is also taking a Vitamin D supplement).
Your baby’s milk (breastmilk, first infant formula or a combination of both), is still their main source of nutrition until 12 months of age. Cows milk can be used in cooking but should not be offered as a drink before 12 months.
It is a good idea to begin offering water in a cup with every offer of solid food (this includes purees). From 6 months water does not need to be boiled first and can be offered straight from the tap.
If you feel that your baby may be ready for solids before 6 months please speak with your Health Visitor as evidence now shows that introducing solids before this age can have an adverse effect.
There are 3 clear signs, which, when they appear together from around 6 months of age, show that your baby is ready for their first solid foods, alongside breast milk or first infant formula. They will be able to:
The following behaviours can be mistaken for signs of being ready for solid foods:
These are normal baby behaviours and not necessarily a sign of hunger, or being ready to start solid food. Starting solid foods will NOT make them any more likely to sleep through the night; this has been proven through recent studies. Sometimes a little extra milk will help until they are ready for food.
If your baby was born prematurely, ask your health visitor or GP for advice on when to start weaning.
