Question
How do I know when my baby is ready to wean?
Answer
Until they are six months old, your baby will get all the
nourishment they need from milk. Current advice from the Department
of Health is to breast feed exclusively for six months. At this
point most babies will be ready to start taking solid food, but ask
your GP or healthcare professional for advice if your baby was born
prematurely.
At this early stage, your baby's first tastes are a learning
experience rather than a replacement for milk feeds. They're
beginning to discover different and exciting tastes and textures
and learning that, unlike milk, food does not come in a continuous
flow. When beginning to wean, try mixing a teaspoon of Heinz Baby
Rice or simple fruit or vegetable purée with a little of your
baby's usual milk. Start by offering one or two mouthfuls before,
during or after a milk feed.
Signs your baby is ready for weaning include:
- Showing an interest in what you are eating, or even reaching
out for the food on your plate
- Being less satisfied with milk, for example crying after a full
milk feed
- Demanding increased or more frequent feeds
- Waking up hungry in the night when they were previously
sleeping through
Weaning before six months
All babies are different and develop at different rates so 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. Bear in mind that babies under 17 weeks
should not be given solid foods.
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