Starting solid foods: when and how to start weaning

Starting solids, or weaning, is one of the most exciting stages of the first year, and one of the messiest. It also comes with a lot of conflicting advice. Here’s what the NHS says about when to start, what to avoid, and how to keep track of what your baby has tried, especially when grandparents or a nanny are doing some of the feeding.

When should I start weaning my baby?

The NHS gives both an age and a set of signs to look for:

In other words, around 6 months your baby should be able to:

• Stay sitting and hold their head steady.
• Coordinate eyes, hands and mouth.
• Swallow food.

If your baby was born prematurely, or you have questions about timing, ask your health visitor or GP. They know your baby’s history.

How do I introduce allergens?

The NHS advises introducing certain foods carefully:

One at a time is the key. If you add several new foods on the same day, it’s hard to tell which one caused a reaction. That’s where a simple food log really helps. Your health visitor or GP can tell you which foods to introduce this way.

What foods should babies avoid?

The NHS is clear about a few foods and habits:

Whole nuts are a choking risk. The NHS advises not giving whole nuts or peanuts to children under 5, because they can choke on them.

What can my baby drink with solid food?

Drinks change as solids begin. The NHS says:

And on cows’ milk: whole cows’ milk can be given as a main drink from 12 months. Before that, the NHS says it can be used in cooking from around 6 months.

If you breastfeed, WHO recommends continuing breastfeeding alongside safe complementary foods up to 2 years or beyond. For milk feeds in the early months, see how often a newborn should feed.

Keeping a first foods log

In the first months of solids, a log does three jobs: it shows what your baby has tried, helps you introduce allergens one at a time, and lets everyone who feeds your baby stay on the same page. For each meal, note:

1. What was offered, and whether it was a first try.
2. How much was eaten, roughly: a taste, a few spoonfuls, most of it.
3. The time, so you can line it up with anything you notice later.
4. Any reaction, described in your own words, to share with your health visitor or GP.

Sharing weaning with grandparents and the nanny

Weaning goes better when everyone who feeds your baby follows the same plan. Before someone else gives a meal, share:

• Which foods your baby has already tried, and which are still to come.
• Any new food you’d rather introduce yourself, so you’re there to watch for a reaction.
• The foods to avoid: honey before 1 year, added salt, and whole nuts or peanuts.
• How to log the meal, so you can see what was eaten.

For general tips on handovers and roles, see sharing baby care with your partner, grandparents and nanny.

How BabyLifeLog helps with weaning

BabyLifeLog logs solids in a couple of taps, with notes for what was offered and how it went. Grandparents and nannies log into the same journal, so you always know what your baby ate while you were away, and each entry shows who logged it.

Guidance cards for your baby’s exact week bring up NHS advice on starting solids at the right time, using corrected age for babies born prematurely. Questions for your health visitor can be saved in Plan, ready for your next appointment.