Take this quiz from the NHS to see if your baby is ready for weaning.
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Weaning
Introducing your baby to solid foods (weaning) should start when your baby is around 6 months old.
Why you should wait until your baby is 6 months to wean
Babies have developed enough at around 6 months to start on solid food.
The NHS provides more information on why to start weaning your baby on solid food at around 6 months.
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Dental care and drinks
Babies over the age of 6 months can drink tap water in addition breast milk. Juice is not needed and adds sugars into your child’s diet, which can be hard to stop.
Beakers
A free flow beaker (one that spills) is recommended as soon as your baby is introduced to solids. It aides your baby’s chewing muscles, control of liquid flow and prevents tooth decay. Please talk to your health visitor before introducing a free flow beaker.
Brushing teeth
It’s important to brush your baby’s teeth twice a day with a family, non-whitening toothpaste as soon as they come through. A baby’s milk teeth can be subjected to tooth decay immediately after they appear.
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Registering for a dentist
Remember to register your baby with a dentist before their first birthday, even if they haven’t got any teeth yet.
More information
There is a lot of information on how to wean your baby on solid food, and this can be confusing. If you have any questions, talk to your health visitor.
Your local area
Visit your local area page for details of support available to you locally.
Out of hours support
You can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212.