Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Weaning (And What You’ll Need)
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Weaning is one of those milestones that sneaks up on you. One day you're purely in the world of milk feeds, and the next you're googling whether sweet potato puree stains permanently. (It does. Get a good bib.)
The good news is that your baby will usually give you plenty of signals when they're ready to start solids. Here's what to watch for — and what to have ready when the moment arrives.
When Is Your Baby Ready for Weaning?
The NHS recommends introducing solid foods at around 6 months, but every baby is different. Rather than watching the calendar, watch your baby. Here are the three signs that matter:
1. They can sit up with minimal support and hold their head steady
This is the most important physical milestone. Your baby needs to be able to hold their head upright confidently to swallow food safely. Slumping or head wobbling means their core strength isn't quite there yet.
2. They're showing real interest in food
Watching intently while you eat, reaching towards your plate, or opening their mouth when they see food approaching — these are your baby's way of saying "I want some of that." This is different from general curiosity about objects. If they're fascinated specifically by food and mealtimes, that's a strong signal.
3. They've lost the tongue-thrust reflex
This is the reflex that causes babies to push things out of their mouth with their tongue — it's what keeps them from choking on objects in the early months. When this reflex fades, your baby can start to move food to the back of their mouth and swallow. You'll notice it's gone when food stays in rather than being pushed straight back out.
One thing worth knowing: reaching for objects, chewing fists, and waking more frequently at night are often mistaken for weaning readiness. They're actually just normal developmental behaviours. The three signs above are the ones that matter.
Baby-Led Weaning vs. Traditional Weaning
There are two main approaches, and plenty of parents end up combining elements of both.
Baby-led weaning (BLW) means offering soft, age-appropriate finger foods from the start and letting your baby self-feed. It's messier, but it lets your baby explore textures and flavours at their own pace and builds independence from day one. A good silicone suction plate is your best friend here — it won't move when your baby grabs it, which means the food stays on the plate rather than the floor.
Traditional weaning involves puréeing foods and spoon-feeding, gradually introducing more texture as your baby develops. Many parents find this easier to manage at the very beginning, particularly for first foods. Soft silicone weaning spoons are ideal — gentle on sensitive gums and easy for little mouths to manage.
Most parents find themselves somewhere in the middle. Follow your baby's lead, and don't worry too much about which camp you're in.
What You'll Need to Get Started
You don't need to spend a fortune to wean well. Here's what actually makes a difference:
A good high chair
Your baby needs to be seated safely and upright for every meal. Make sure the chair supports their back properly and positions them at a comfortable height.
Weaning bibs
Soft, long-sleeved bibs are worth their weight in gold. Weaning is messy — spectacularly so — and a bib that covers the arms will save you a lot of washing. Silicone bibs with a food catcher are brilliant for catching dropped morsels.
Suction plates and bowls
A plate or bowl that stays put on the highchair tray makes a huge difference. Our silicone suction range is particularly popular with weaning parents for exactly this reason — the suction base grips the tray and doesn't release until you want it to.
Soft silicone spoons
Gentle on gums and easy to clean. Look for ones with a shallow bowl and a long handle that's easy for you to hold while still being manageable for your baby as they start to self-feed.
Sippy cups and open cups
From around 6 months, you can introduce water with meals in a free-flow sippy cup or an open cup. The NHS recommends open cups where possible as they're better for dental development long term.
Complete feeding sets
If you'd rather get everything in one go, our silicone and bamboo feeding sets include plate, bowl, bib, spoon, fork and cup — everything you need to start weaning without hunting down individual pieces.
Tips for a Smoother Start
A few things that genuinely help in those first weeks:
Start with one meal a day. There's no rush. Introducing one small meal — usually lunchtime — at first gives your baby time to adjust and you time to get used to the process.
Introduce one new food at a time. Wait two or three days between new foods so you can spot any reactions. Keep a simple note of what you've introduced if it helps.
Expect rejection — and don't take it personally. Research suggests babies can need to see a new food up to 15 times before they'll accept it. Keep offering, keep it relaxed, and resist the urge to force it.
Make it social. Eating together, or at least at the same time as your baby, helps enormously. Babies are natural mimics — seeing you eat is one of the most powerful cues there is.
Embrace the mess. A mat under the highchair, a long-sleeved bib, and low expectations for the first few weeks will save your sanity.
Weaning is one of those things that feels overwhelming before you start and completely normal within a few weeks. Trust your baby, trust yourself, and enjoy it — there's genuinely nothing quite like watching a small person discover that food exists.
Browse our full weaning essentials range at For the Baby — silicone plates, bamboo bowls, feeding sets and bibs, all chosen for safety, practicality and ease of cleaning. Free UK delivery on orders over £25.