Moving your baby onto solids is a big step that cannot be rushed. Your little one needs to be completely ready to be weaned off breast milk or formula, and it is a process that takes time. Your baby will have only ever tasted, digested, and had the sensation of milk in their mouths, so you can imagine the textures and flavour sensations they’ll experience when they move onto mashed vegetables and soft fruits.
Six months
Six months old is the age suggested by the NHS, and is the age at which your baby’s digestive system is developed enough to be able to handle solid foods. Now, I know parents who started weaning their babies earlier than this, but I think it’s really important to visit a GP if you are considering doing this. Your baby can safely live off breast milk for the first six months, so there’s no rush for solids.
Spot the signs
When your baby is ready to move onto solid foods, you will start to notice some changes. For example, they will be able to sit up and support the weight of their head. They will also be able to swallow their food properly, rather than pushing it out with their tongue, and pick up food and put it in their mouth by themselves.
Weaning your baby
Once your baby is ready for solids, you can start to wean them off breast milk or formula. You will probably still feed them milk during the weaning process, to keep up their nutrition intake – at this stage, solid food is more about exploration than nourishment. Your baby is likely to get messy when they first start eating solid foods, but you can always use a muslin square to keep your clothes nice and clean!
Here at Slumbersac, we have some great products for you to use while you are weaning your baby. Why not buy one of our waterproof baby bibs, which are machine washable and fast drying - perfect for messy eaters?
