Questions and Concerns

Weaning your baby is an exciting time, but can also be a time of big changes.

Moving on from breast or infant formula milk to solids can be fun but it can also be a challenging. Below are some common concerns and questions that you may come across when weaning your baby.

• My Baby is Fussy?

  To begin with babies are just having tastes of food so they can learn about:

  • Flavours
  • Textures
  • Chewing and swallowing.

  Keep feeding your baby breast milk or formula milk alongside food as this will still be their main source of nutrition.

  At about 10 months, babies start to eat more and drink less milk. Follow your baby’s lead – if they turn away and are not interested in food, try again later.

  Sometimes, letting your baby be in control helps them to get started. Let them play with their food and have their own spoon so they can explore eating in their own time.

  Try and be as patient as possible. It can take babies 10 tries or more until they decide they like a food or not. To help your baby get some practice, offer them a variety of textures, such as well-mashed vegetables and fruit, as well as smooth purees.

• What Foods Should I Avoid?

  It's important to know which foods are safe for your little one. Here's a list of which ones to avoid and why:

  Foods to avoid

  • Don’t add salt to your baby’s food – it can damage their kidneys.
  • Don’t add sugar to your baby’s food as this can increase their risk of tooth decay and contribute to obesity in later life.
  • Honey should not be given to babies until they are a year old as it can put a toxin in their tummy leading to a serious illness called botulism.
  • Avoid giving babies shellfish as this can increase the risk of food poisoning.

  Bought Baby Foods

  Shop bought baby foods are more expensive, often have added sugar or salt, and mainly contain sweet flavours. Shop bought baby food can be very useful out and about, or in emergencies, but homemade foods are better for your baby for everyday meals.

• Why Won't My Baby Eat Lumpy Food?

  If you baby doesn't seem to like lumpy foods, don't panic. Keep offering them lumpy food in the coming weeks. Remember, it's a brand new experience - so they may take a while to get used it.

  Try and be as patient as possible. It can take babies 10 tries or more until they decide they like a food or not. To help your baby get some practice, offer them a variety of textures, such as well-mashed vegetables and fruit, as well as smooth purees.

• Are They Getting Enough Food?

  Let your baby guide you. They will let you know they are full by turning away from the spoon. Try not to worry, in the first year they are getting most of their nutrition from their milk. As long as they are well and have regular wet and dirty nappies they are doing well.

  If you’re worried, ask your health visitor to monitor your baby’s growth and weight gain to make sure they’re thriving.

• How Much Milk?

  6-9 Months

  • If you’re breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed your baby on demand.
  • If you’re bottle-feeding, aim to offer your baby around 500-600ml of infant formula a day.

  10+ months

  • If you’re breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed your baby on demand.
  • If you’re bottle-feeding, aim to offer your baby around 400ml of infant formula a day.

  12+ months

  When your baby is 1 year old they will get most of their nutrition from food. Even though milk isn't as important as it used to be, they still need it for a balanced diet.

  From 12 months, the recommended amount of milk or dairy is 360ml (around three portions) each day.

• How Much Water?

  During meal times you can offer your baby sips of water from an open or free-flow cup. Using an open cup, or a free-flow cup, will help your baby learn to sip and is better for their teeth. 

  Tap water is not suitable for babies under 6 months, as it’s not sterile. It should be boiled first and then allowed to cool before offering.

• Choking

  Choking can happen with hard foods, bones and small round foods that can easily get stuck in the throat. Remember, you should:

  • Cut small round foods, like grapes and cherry tomatoes, into small pieces.
  • Peel the skin off fruit, vegetables and sausages. (Remember that sausages can be high in salt).
  • Remove hard pips or stones from fruit.
  • Remove bones from meat or fish.
  • Soften hard fruit and vegetables (such as carrot and apple) when first given to your baby from around 6 months.
  • Whole nuts and peanuts should not be given to children under 5 years old.
  • Never give them raw jelly cubes as they can get stuck in the throat.

  Make sure your little one is sitting up properly in their high chair, and never leave them alone while they're eating.