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Are you in the UK (it sound like you are, given how you a weaning = starting solids instead of weaning from breast milk. Latter is how they define weaning in the US). If so current guidance says 6 months. NHS start 4 life website has 3 signs of readiness: able to sit independently; coordinated to self feed (bring food to mouth); no longer having the tongue reflex that pushes food out. Also recommend starting by alternating bitter and non bitter flavours so your baby does not get hooked on sweet things (breast milk/formula sweet enough anyway). We did 2 weeks straight of different types of veg before slowly introducing fruit. Btw for Baby Led Weaning, waiting for all 3 signs (which tend to emerge at 6 months) is essential for safety reasons, if you're interested in that method. Most importantly, as someone already pointed out, MILK (breast or formula) should be the primary source of nutrition till age 1. Good luck! It's a fun experience. :) https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/ready-or-not/
I personally would not take perceived interest in food as a sign (or rather the only sign of readiness). My baby was interested in mouthing EVERYTHING - not just food- but there was no way they were coordinated enough to self feed, and definitely not to sit independently. This interest in mouth / taste as a primary sensory organ continued until about 15 months, way after they stated eating food (and they eat a LOT)...so at least in my experience, "interest in food" is not sufficient for starting solids.
Enthusiast
Whatever age you decide to start, my mom started at 6 months, start with vegetables. If you start with something sweet like applesauce like we did for my brother, your baby will never like veggies. Lol.
Chief
I used to think that about sweetness, but if you nurse, breastmilk is super sweet. So I think it is fine to start with fruits.
I think most people use the below checklist.
Can your baby hold his or her head in a steady, upright position?
Can your baby sit with support?
Is your baby mouthing his or her hands or toys?
Is your baby showing a desire for food by leaning forward and opening his or her mouth?
I suggest getting a book or some research on how / what you plan to feed. We did a mix of mashed foods and baby led weaning.
Conversation Starter
Previous recommendation was 6 months but now doctors recommend starting at 4. Some babies aren’t ready at 4 months but I was told to keep offering purees in a relaxed way if she rejetcs, allow her to play, not force. It took a few weeks until she really started eating the food.
Chief
You don’t need to start weaning when you introduce solids, as in you don’t need to try to actively discourage breastfeeding any longer. Until your baby is one, nearly all of his calories will continue to come from your milk. Introduce new foods slowly, using whatever feeding method works best for you. But it is better to start introducing foods early (even in small quantities) to reduce allergy risk.
We introduced a “lunch” meal about two hours before his middle of the day bottle. At first he just ate a few bites, then gradually he ate more and more, so he’d then gradually eat less of that next bottle. For us it was a very slow process, so I wouldn’t feel pressure to start actively weaning until you and your baby are ready.
Chief
Food before 1 is just for fun. Baby should keep nursing or have formula as primary food until first birthday. You should really talk to your ped more about this, or I would find someone that c an explain these things more fully.
Depends on the baby! Ours was very food envious and wanted to try out food at dinner all the time so our pediatrician said we could start her at 4 months
Sorry forgot to say the doc said I should wait until 4 full months have passed first.
No need to start weaning when you introduce food. Either 4 or 6 months is fine - it is really preference. In the beginning, and really up to a year, good is about learning how to eat, not about replacing breast milk or formula.