Weaning

When to begin weaning

The current UK advice is to stick to breastmilk (or formula if your baby isn't breastfed) for the first six months. But babies' needs are individual - some need food a little sooner, and others are fine on milk only for a little longer.

You can offer your baby a range of foods, as long as she can manage them. A lot of parents begin with purees, but this isn't essential. From around six months onwards, your baby can use her fingers and hands to bring food to her mouth, and this 'baby-led' weaning approach is a good way of helping her learn the connection between taste, appearance and texture.

First tastes can include:

• Mashed vegetables, or lightly cooked sticks, such as parsnip, carrot, courgette, potato or yam
• Mashed or sliced fruit such as pear, cooked apple, banana and mango
• Rice, cornmeal, millet or baby rice mixed with water or your baby's usual milk

If the food is hot, make sure you stir and test it before giving it to your baby. Don't add any foods to a bottle with milk, as it could cause your baby to choke.

Don't force-feed her - if she doesn't seem to want the food, try again another day.

Your baby still needs breastfeeds formula milk as her main source of food at this stage. Preparing your own food for your baby is cheaper than buying ready-made jars, because it can be made in bulk and frozen, and you know exactly what the ingredients are.

Weaning tips

• Don't rush your baby - give her as much time as she needs to feed
• Make sure you're both relaxed before you start to feed
• Feed your baby on your lap or in a high chair
• When introducing new foods, try to mix them in with familiar ones
• Go at your baby's pace and don't be upset if she refuses the food - she'll get used to the idea in time

The next few months

Try to increase the amount of food your give your baby - give her solids for two of her meals each day.

Other foods to try as your baby grows

• Meat (including liver) and poultry
• Lentils (dhal) or split pulses
• Milk products (full-fat yoghurt, fromage frais, custard)

Can babies eat everything?

If your baby is six months or older, there are no foods she can't have, unless you know she's at risk of allergy. Stick to breastmilk or formula milk as a drink until your baby is a year old (cow's milk is fine in cooking, or to mix with other foods).

It's probably wise to avoid honey until your baby is one because of the very small risk of botulism.

Don't add any salt to your baby's food - if she's eating food prepared for the whole family, make sure her portion has been set aside before seasoning.

You might want to add very small amounts of sugar may be required to take away the sharpness from fruit such as gooseberry and rhubarb, but avoid adding sugar to food and drinks.

Your health visitor can give you more information, and check the Food Standards Agency website for any changes to official advice.

Drinks

Water or milk are the best drinks for you baby.

Check drink labels carefully, even baby drinks labelled 'low sugar' or 'no added sugar' often contain some sugar and may harm your baby's teeth.

Once your baby's teeth have come through, try to cut out a bedtime bottle to avoid tooth decay, or else ensure your baby’s teeth are cleaned before she goes to sleep.

Citrus fruit juices can be used after six months - they're a good source of vitamin C but are acidic and have a high sugar content, so try to dilute with water.

Squashes, fizzy drinks, flavoured milk and juice drinks are unsuitable for babies because of their sugar and additives.

Tea and coffee aren't suitable drinks for babies or young children because they reduce iron absorption.