Weaning is the process by which babies who were fully reliant on milk are introduced to solid foods. It starts with the first mouthful of food and ends with the last feed of breastmilk or formula milk 1. When and how solid foods are introduced is vital to establishing healthy eating habits and limiting fussy eating. This article provides successful weaning tips, including foods to choose and avoid, proper timing and potential concerns.
Most health experts recommend that babies begin getting solid food at around months of age 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. Six months is often recommended because babies, at this age, begin to need extra nutrients not found in milk, such as iron and zinc 6 , 7. Experts also suggest looking for signs that a baby is developmentally ready for solids.
These include 8 , 9 :. Solids should be introduced at months of age when babies require additional nutrients that cannot be obtained through milk alone. There is no one correct way to start your baby on solids. That said, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach can help you make the best decision for you and your baby. In this method, babies are encouraged to self-feed from the start. You can introduce solid foods as finger foods and allow your child to explore solids at their own pace.
In this approach, you feed your baby and gradually introduce it to more solid foods. Baby-led weaning encourages infants to feed themselves, whereas you feed your child a progressively more solid diet under the traditional method. Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages. First tastes are important for developing good eating habits and exposing your infant to a wide variety of flavors.
When introducing new foods, remember that the amount eaten is less important than the number of foods tried. In the beginning stages of weaning, your baby will still get most of its nutrition from breastmilk or formula. Try to make this a positive experience for your baby by allowing them to play with, touch and taste new foods. Mixing foods with a little breastmilk or formula milk can improve acceptance. Start with a few spoonfuls or a couple of bites once a day for about a week to gauge whether your baby wants more or less.
Starting solid foods. Food Standards Agency. First six months. Food allergies. Drinks for babies. How to introduce solid food. NHS Choices. Birth to Five. Healthy diet: weaning and beyond. The effect of age of introduction of lumpy solids on foods eaten and reported feeding difficulties at six months and 15 months. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Unicef. The health professional's guide to: "A guide to infant formula to parents who are bottle feeding" www.
Show references Hide references. Corrected age, or adjusted age, is your baby's age minus the number of weeks or months they were born early. Expressing breast milk for a premature or ill baby. Page last reviewed: 15 March Next review due: 15 March Read our cookies policy to find out more about our cookies and how we use them. Weaning starting your baby on solid foods. Breastfeeding If you are breastfeeding , you don't need to move to formula milk when introducing solid foods.
When to begin weaning Babies develop at different stages. Signs your baby is ready for solid food: Able to sit up with support and can control their head movements. Did You Know? Your child needs certain vitamins and minerals to grow healthy and strong. To receive email updates about this topic, enter your email address.
Email Address. What's this? Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Related Links. Body and Mind Resources for Teachers.
Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
0コメント