Positive Relationships: A parent's guide to ... weaning

Blenders, bibs and sticky highchairs are all part of this world, along with some babies who seem quite uninterested. Advice about when to start, what to give and even which method to follow abounds. So what are the key points to get right when weaning?

A good starting point is to understand that weaning is not so much about getting babies off milk, but about introducing new foods. Foods other than milk will provide your child with iron and other nutrients that are vital for continued growth.

So when should weaning begin? The health advice is quite clear. Aim to wean at six months. This is the point at which most babies now need the additional iron that comes from eating a wider diet and importantly, the point at which their digestive system can cope. It is worth noting that this fairly unanimous advice came in 2001 after much medical research, but the word has not always hit the street. This will mean that you will find plenty of people out there who will tell you to start weaning earlier. You may also hear that you should start to wean if your baby has started to wake up in the night or to seem very hungry. If this is happening, do talk to your health visitor so that you can get up-to-date and informed advice about possible next steps.