Weaning means introducing a range of first foods gradually, until your baby is eating the same foods as the rest of the family.

Until six months, your baby needs only breast milk or infant formula milk. At six months your baby will need more than milk alone and now their bodies are sufficiently developed to eat solid foods in addition to breast or formula milk.

Here are some first foods you could try:

  • Cereals such as baby rice
  • Mashed cooked vegetables such as parsnip, potato, yam, sweet potato or carrot
  • Mashed banana, avocado, cooked apple or pear
  • Pieces of soft fruit or vegetables small enough for your baby to pick up can be introduced as they grow and develop.

Use mashed-up family food when you can. It’s best to cook your own food for your baby. This way, you’ll know the ingredients of the food and you’ll be getting your baby used to eating what you eat. Please remember that even though you may not like the taste of food without salt or sugar, your baby is different. It really is best not to add salt and sugar to a young baby’s food.

energy-tips

Allow plenty of time for feeding, particularly when you start to wean. Don’t rush or force feed your baby. Most babies know when they’ve had enough to eat. Be patient, and go at your baby’s pace. Ask your health professional for advice on what foods can be introduced and when. The following guidelines are for the introduction of vegetables and fruits only.

It is best to start weaning when the baby is approx. 6 month of age. Ask your health professional for advice on what foods can be introduced and when. The following guidelines are for the introduction of vegetables and fruits only. Note: Use this table as a guide only.

Age What texture is the food? Types of vegetables and fruits
The first 2 weeks of weaning at approx. 6 months Smooth puree with no lumps.

Vegetables:
Root vegetables e.g. carrots, turnip, parsnip, butternut squash.

Fruits:
Ripe fruit e.g. uncooked banana, stewed apple and pear.
2 weeks after starting to spoon feed Smooth, slightly thicker puree (use less liquid) with no lumps.

Vegetables:
Potatoes and stronger tasting vegetables e.g. broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, peas and courgettes.

Fruits:
Peach, plum, kiwi, melon and avocado.
7-9 months Minced and mashed food with soft lumps. You can also introduce soft finger foods.

Vegetables:
Add NEW vegetables such as leek, onion, cabbage, sweet corn, tomato, peppers and mushrooms.

Fruits:
Citrus fruits (remove pith and seeds), berries (pass through a metal sieve to remove pips and seeds), mango, grapes (peeled, deseeded and halved) and stewed dried fruit e.g. apricots.
9-12 months Minced and chopped finely. Introduce more finger foods.

Vegetables:
Add NEW vegetables such as leek, onion, cabbage, sweet corn, tomato, peppers and mushrooms.

Fruits:
Citrus fruits (remove pith and seeds), berries (pass through a metal sieve to remove pips and seeds), mango, grapes (peeled, deseeded and halved) and stewed dried fruit e.g. apricots.