Starting solids

What is weaning?

When your baby is around six months old, you can start giving them solid food, and this is called weaning. Find out more about the signs your baby is ready for weaning and how to get started at NHS Start for Life.

What can I feed my baby?

Your baby still needs their usual breastmilk or first infant formula. Alongside this you can start by giving your baby vegetables and fruits which you can blend or mash. You can also try giving your baby soft cooked sticks of parsnip, broccoli, potato, sweet potato, carrot, apple or pear. For lots of ideas of what to feed your baby at different ages, visit NHS Start for Life.

Look after little teeth

It's important to brush your baby's teeth twice a day, after breakfast and before bed time. Find out more on our tooth brushing page or visit NHS Start for Life.

Feeling worried about weaning?

It's natural to feel a bit anxious about weaning as it is a big change for you and your baby. You can chat to your health visitor about how to get started. They can advise on any worries you have about choking or allergies and foods to avoid. We run weaning workshops, come along and find out how to introduce solid food for your baby. Ring the health visiting team on 0191 282 3319 for the next one running near you.

0 to 1 Infant Feeding Drop In

Come along and chat to a Health Visitor about breastfeeding, bottle feeding and weaning from pregnancy until your baby turns one. No booking required, but call the health visiting team on 0191 282 3319 to confirm times.

Tuesday, The Haven, Kenton

Wednesday, Health Resource Centre, Benwell

Thursday, Charlton Street Hub

Friday, St Martin's Centre

Healthy Start: Get help to buy food and milk

If you or your family get certain benefits, you can apply for a prepaid card to spend on milk, fruit and vegetables. This is from ten weeks pregnant until your child is four. See Healthy Start or speak to your midwife or health visitor. You can collect free healthy start vitamins from;