Weaning should be done from 6 months old and is when a baby is introduced to solid food and reduces the amount of milk they take. The Department of Health state that parents should not wean their babies before 26 weeks as their digestive system, kidneys and motor skills have not developed sufficiently and this could cause allergies and infections.

Often babies experience a growth spurt around four months old which means they are hungrier and parents can sometimes mistake this for the baby being ready to go on to solid foods.

Signs of when a baby is ready to be weaned include:-

• Being able to hold their head steady and stay in a sitting position
• Being able to swallow food and not push it out
• Being able to pick up food and put it in their mouth as they have improve co-ordination

When introducing a baby to solid food it is important to avoid the following:-

Salt - The recommended level of salt is less than 1g per day for under 12 months
Sugar - Babies will receive appropriate amounts of sugar from natural sources which are found in many fruits and vegetables.
Honey - Bacteria found in honey can produce toxins in a baby's intestine, honey should be avoided until at least 1 years old
Nuts - Whole nuts should not be given to children under the age of five as they can cause choking, if there is not history or allergies it is safe to give peanut based products from 6 months onwards
Eggs - Can be given to babies from 6 months old but eggs must be well cooked.
If a customer is wanting any further information about weaning, refer them to their health visitor.