After getting through those first few, sleep-deprived weeks, you may have fallen confidently into a routine where your response to their need to feed becomes second nature. This could be a growth spurt. Complementary feeding is a useful term as it suggests that weaning isn’t just replacing baby’s milk feeds but complementing it as they master the skill of eating solid foods. As they approach six months (26 weeks) and for the rest of the first year, their milk is still their primary source of nutrition, but adding in a wide range of foods to complement their milk feeds becomes increasingly important. If you recognise these signs in your baby, and they’re the right age, it could be time to start weaning. Baby-led weaning, or any other form of weaning, is one of many milestones new parents … There are many myths about how to recognise whether a baby is ready for weaning, but signs including chewing on fists, waking more in the night or wanting more milk feeds are not reliable signs of readiness. 3 weaning signs that are not weaning signs . How to tell if your baby is ready for weaning, 100 Top Xmas Toys 2020 tested by kids, parents and experts, Best handpicked Black Friday pushchair deals 2020: save £500+. Little ones naturally develop the skills they need to move on to solid food, and there are three tell-tale signs that tend to appear together at around six months when they’re weaning-ready. However, and as you’ve probably already realised, babies aren’t aware of the timeline. However, the latest research shows that it’s best to wait until baby is at least 17 weeks old as before this time his digestive tract and kidneys might not be developed enough to cope with solids. Too early and her immune system isn’t mature enough but too late and milk alone will fall short in giving her enough nutrients, particularly iron. The baby seems interested in solid food you're eating. Check out Start4Life’s weaning hub. Inconsistent Waking – Babies who are ready to start night weaning tend not to wake up at the same time during the night. In recent years, the Department of Health has recommended that you start weaning at 6 months, as at this stage, your baby’s immune system, digestion and muscle control are all developing well. Looking for inspiration? Mini fish pies with cheesy potato topping, she sits still and can keep her head steady, she’s actually swallowing food if you try and give it to her – and not spitting it back out again. This article was last reviewed on 7 October 2019 by Frankie Phillips. Some babies develop and mature more quickly and may be ready to start weaning earlier than 6 months. It’s much better to wait until your baby is ready (but don’t start later than six months). I blame this on the 17 week milestone of a baby’s digestive system being fully developed. So hitting the 4 month (or any month mark for that matter) should not mean baby is ready for solids. The World Health Organisation recommends that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months to achieve optimal growth, development and health. We would love to hear from you below…. All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If your baby was born prematurely you may need to check with your health visitor as to the right time to start. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. 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