Weaning: When and How to Wean
- Beyond the Bump
- Jun 12, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: May 22
Weaning can feel like a huge milestone — and also a huge minefield. One minute you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding like a pro, the next you’re suddenly expected to know how and when to offer broccoli, oats, and allergens — and whether to mash it, blend it, or just plonk it on a tray.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the advice, you're not alone.
This blog cuts through the noise and gives you a clear, UK-guideline-based starting point — plus links to deeper support when you’re ready.
🕕 When should I start weaning?
UK guidance from the NHS and WHO recommends starting solids at around 6 months. At this stage, most babies are developmentally ready for food — which means it’s safer, more enjoyable for them, and less stressful for you.
You don’t need to watch the calendar — just look for signs of readiness:
Sitting up and holding their head steady
Hand-eye coordination (e.g., grabbing toys and bringing them to their mouth)
Losing the tongue-thrust reflex that pushes things back out of their mouth
We explain all of this in our Weaning Your Baby course, so you can feel confident you’re starting at the right time for your baby — not just because someone on Instagram said so.
🍎 How should I start?
There’s no one "right" way to wean — and that’s where it can get confusing. You might hear people talk about:
Baby-led weaning (BLW) — offering soft finger foods and letting your baby explore
Traditional weaning — starting with smooth purées and gradually building textures
Combination feeding — a blend of both
The truth is, all of these can work — and the best approach is the one that works for you and your baby.
In the course, we talk through the pros and practicalities of each approach so you can make an informed decision, without pressure, guilt or perfectionism.
🥦 What should I feed them?
Here’s where the internet gets a bit... wild. One post says start with root veg, another insists on something sweet, someone else is suggesting sardines on toast and scrambled egg all before breakfast.
The reality? There are lots of great first foods, and the most important thing is offering a wide variety over time — especially foods rich in iron.
We don’t do overwhelm here. That’s why we’ve created a free First 100 Foods Tracker to help you track what they’ve tried and keep things varied and balanced without needing a spreadsheet.
And if you want a clear plan, support for allergens, introducing flavours and textures as well as simple daily schedules for introducing food, then sign up to our on demand 'Weaning Your Baby' course today.
🚫 What should I avoid?
There are a few foods that NHS guidelines recommend avoiding for safety reasons in the first year:
Honey (risk of botulism)
Whole nuts (choking hazard)
Added salt and sugar
Unpasteurised dairy or soft cheeses like brie/camembert
Raw or undercooked eggs (unless Lion stamped)
But even here, the advice can feel contradictory or confusing — especially when it comes to allergens and what’s “safe.”
That’s why we go into more depth inside the course, with evidence-based info and practical tips that make navigating mealtimes easier (and less stressful).
😵 Conflicting advice? We get it.
If you’ve already fallen down the Google rabbit hole or been given three different opinions by well-meaning relatives, we hear you.
We created our Weaning Your Baby course to give you:
Evidence-based info you can trust
Friendly videos that explain things clearly
Support for all feeding methods (purées, finger foods, combo)
Reassurance on choking, gagging, allergies and more
No judgment, no "one right way", and no pressure to cook everything from scratch
💬 Final Thoughts
You don’t need to do everything perfectly. You don’t need to follow someone else’s routine. And you definitely don’t need to turn weaning into a competitive sport.
What you do need is information you can trust, options that work for your life, and a bit of support when the mashed banana hits the walls.
You’ve got this — and we’ve got you.
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