When to start

At about six months babies are ready to be moved onto
a mixed diet.
Try giving solid foods when your baby:

• can sit up
• wants to chew and is putting toys and other objects
  in their mouth
• reaches and grabs accurately.

It is normal for babies aged three to fi ve months to
begin waking in the night when they have previously
slept through. It is not necessarily a sign of hunger
and starting solids will not make your baby more likely
to sleep through the night again.

Health experts agree that around six months is the best age
for introducing solids. Before this, your baby’s digestive
system is still developing and weaning too soon may
increase the risk of infections and allergies. Weaning is
also easier at six months. If your baby seems hungrier at
any time before six months, they may be having a growth
spurt, and extra breast or formula milk will be enough to
meet their needs.