First weaning foods

To start with, weaning your baby is all about getting them used to the new tastes and textures of solid food, as well as helping them learn to take food from a spoon.

Your baby will still be getting most of the nourishment they need from breast milk or infant formula, so don't press food on your baby if they do not seem to want it or worry if they are not taking much.

The early days of weaning
Start by offering a few mouthfuls of solid food before or after one of your baby's usual milk feeds, although not when they are too hungry or tired. Mix a teaspoon of baby rice or purée with their usual milk.

First foods
Good foods to begin with include:

• Baby cereals such as baby rice.
• Smooth vegetable purée, such as carrot, parsnip, potato or sweet potato
• Fruit purée, such as mashed up banana, ripe mango or puréed, cooked apple or pear

You can then start to add to these with other foods such as:

• Puréed meat and poultry
• Puréed chickpeas and lentils
• Full-fat milk products such as yogurt or fromage frais, unless you have been advised otherwise by your GP or health visitor.

When you first start weaning your baby, you will be introducing solids gradually, slowly building up the range of flavours and number of meals per day until eventually your baby is eating three meals a day plus snacks.

Foods to avoid before six months
The Department of Health recommends exclusive breast feeding for the first six months of your baby's life. All babies are different and develop at different rates. Your baby may start to show signs they are ready for weaning earlier than six months. If this is the case and you think your baby may be ready to start solids, speak to your healthcare professional who will be able to advise you. Babies under 17 weeks should not be given solid foods.

If, on the advice of a healthcare professional, you have started to wean your baby before six months, you should avoid giving your baby the foods listed below. This is because a baby's digestive system is too young to handle these foods or they may contain harmful bacteria.

• Honey.
• Added salt.
• Fish and shellfish.
• Soft and unpasteurised cheeses.
• Low fat foods, as your baby needs full fat products to obtain the energy they need to grow.

Allergens
If you or your partner have a history of allergies, such as asthma, eczema, hay fever or food allergies, consult your healthcare professional before starting to wean your baby.  Some of the following foods contain potential allergens and so should be introduced one at a time after six months of age. Consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns.

• Gluten containing foods such as bread, pasta or cereals containing wheat.
• Peanuts (never give whole peanuts to children under 5 years of age - crush them up finely).
• Egg.
• Soya.