FREE Baby Weaning Guide: How to Start Weaning Your Baby
Starting your baby on solid foods is a milestone you'll never forget (when else do you get to peel spaghetti off the wall?). But alongside the excitement come plenty of questions. When should you start weaning? What foods should you offer first? Is baby-led weaning right for your family?
Our FREE Baby Weaning Guide brings together everything you need to know in one place, with NHS-based guidance on when to start weaning, introducing solids safely and getting through mealtimes with a little less mess.
Download your FREE Loulou Lollipop Weaning Guide today.
When should you start Weaning?
One of the biggest questions parents have is when to start weaning. Most babies are ready to start introducing solid foods at around 6 months, when they are showing signs of being developmentally ready.
But what exactly are those signs? And how can you tell if your baby is ready to move beyond just milk? Our guide explains what to look for and how to get started when the time is right.
What is Weaning?
If you've found yourself typing "what is weaning" into Google at 11pm, you're not alone. Weaning is the process of introducing solid foods alongside breastmilk or formula. It is sometimes called introducing solids or complementary feeding.
It's a brand-new stage for your baby and for you. Suddenly, you're thinking about textures, tastes, portions, allergens and whether that suspicious-looking blob on the floor was actually food.
Our guide takes you through each step, helping you understand what to expect, what your baby needs and how to make mealtimes feel enjoyable for everyone.
Baby-Led Weaning or Spoon Feeding?
There’s no shortage of opinions when it comes to baby-led weaning vs spoon feeding.
Baby-led weaning involved offering your baby appropriately prepared finger foods that they can pick up and explore themselves, while spoon feeding typically involves offering foods such as purées or mashed foods.
But which approach is right for your baby?
The answer isn't always one or the other. Our guide explores the different approaches, so you can decide what works best for your family.
Inside the FREE guide you'll learn:
- When babies can start eating solids
- How to start weaning
- Baby-led weaning versus spoon feeding
- What foods to start weaning with
- How to introduce allergens
- How to deal with fussy eaters
It’s everything you need to feel more prepared for those first exciting, and often messy, meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you start weaning?
Following NHS weaning guidance, you should wait until your baby is around 6 months old and displaying signs of readiness before offering solid foods.
Can I start weaning before 6 months?
It's best to wait until your baby is around 6 months old before starting weaning. This is the age recommended by the NHS, as by then most babies are developmentally ready for solid foods. Before this, their digestive, immune, and feeding systems are still developing. If you're unsure whether your baby is ready or have questions about starting earlier, speak to your health visitor or GP.
What are the best first foods for babies?
There's no single "best" first food. Soft vegetables, fruit, cooked starchy foods, and protein-rich foods are all great options. Our Baby Weaning Guide includes a list of first foods for both purees and baby-led weaning.
What is baby-led weaning?
Baby-led weaning is a way of introducing solid foods by letting your baby feed themselves soft finger foods rather than being spoon-fed purees. Many families also choose a combination of both approaches.
Not sure whether it is right for your family? Our guide explores baby-led weaning alongside other approaches to starting solids.
How do you introduce allergens when weaning?
Introducing common allergens is an important part of weaning. Knowing which foods to introduce, when to introduce them and how to do so safely can feel daunting.
Our guide provides practical information to help you understand the basics and approach new foods with confidence.
Ready to make mealtimes an adventure?
Download your FREE guide and get ready for the messy, exciting adventure of weaning.