How do you know if you baby is ready for weaning?
As your baby approaches six month-old and can sit up with support and hold their head steady and is putting toys and other objects in their mouth, they could be ready for solids, but how do you know for sure? Here we bring you the top three signs it could be time to begin weaning!
At a glance
- Your baby is physically ready for solid foods at around 6 months
- They need to be able to sit up, feed themselves and swallow food
- Every baby is different, if you think yours is ready for the world of solids, have a chat with your health visitor
What’s the right age to wean my baby?
The time to start weaning is when you think your baby is ready once they are 6 months old.
Are there any signs that show my baby is ready for weaning?
Babies develop at different rates and these signs can indicate your baby is ready to start weaning:
- Sitting up with support - holding their head held steady
- puts toys and other objects in his mouth
- watching with interest when you or others are eating wanting his milk feeds earlier than usual during the day because he is hungry even though you have offered larger feeds
Will weaning help my baby sleep through the night?
No: Sleeping through the night is controlled by your baby’s hormones and some babies sleep through from about 6-8 weeks but others take much longer. Beginning weaning will not stop waking at night. If your baby has already begun sleeping through the night and has started waking again this may be because they now having some lighter periods of sleep and might be waking and then wanting some comfort or attention.
Chewing fists can be a sign of hunger and may indicate your baby is no longer satisfied with only milk feeds.
When babies are big for their age, do they need solid food earlier?
Big babies are growing more quickly and may need to begin weaning a little earlier whereas smaller babies are sometimes very happy on just milk feeds until six months and can begin weaning then.
Every baby is different, and if you think your baby may be showing signs of being ready to wean earlier than six months, do speak to your healthcare professional.