Weaning

• Your baby is usually ready for weaning at 6 months if they’re showing signs of sitting independently, are able to look at their food, pick it up and put it in their mouth, can swallow food, and they copy how others eat, showing an interest in food.  
• At the start of a baby’s weaning journey, getting them used to food, textures ,and flavours is more important than how much they consume as milk is still their main source of nutrition. 
• You should start weaning your baby with 1 meal per day, gradually increasing to 2-3 meals a day by around 9 months old. Your baby growing steadily and having regular wet and dirty nappies are all signs they’re consuming enough foods.  
• Breast milk or formula should still be a baby's main drink and source of nutrition until they reach their first birthday.  

Starting the weaning journey with your baby is an exciting milestone for both of you. It’s the start of making the gradual shift from milk to exploring new solid foods, flavours and textures.  

But one of the most common questions parents ask is how much food their baby should be eating. To help you out as you enter the world of weaning, we're going to run through how you know it’s time to begin, and how much food and milk you should offer at each stage. 

Is my baby ready to start weaning?

All babies are unique, but most babies are ready to start weaning and exploring new foods and flavours from around 6 months of age. 

How much food to give when weaning a baby

How much food a baby eats at the very start of their weaning journey isn’t necessarily important; it’s more about getting them used to the concept of solid food and learning new skills. 

In the beginning, babies still get most of the nutrients they need from their usual milk feeds. The early days of weaning are mostly about learning how to chew, experimenting with different textures and flavours, and having fun with finger foods! 

How many meals a day for weaning a baby 

In terms of quantity, most parents start with one meal per day. This can be at a time when your baby seems the hungriest alongside their regular milk feeds because it's best to be guided by their appetite. This is an example of baby-led weaning as they’ll decide when they’re full. If your baby has regular wet and dirty nappies and they're growing healthily, then you can rest assured that they're eating and drinking just the right amount. 

Most parents gradually increase the amount of food and variety of ingredients they offer their baby over time until they can eat the same meals as the rest of the family. Of course, their meal will be in smaller, baby-appropriate portions. 

Babies are usually ready to move from two to three balanced meals (containing plenty of fruit, vegetables, carbohydrates, protein, and dairy) between the age of seven months and on year. 

Baby weaning portion sizes by age 

Think of the below as guidelines rather than strict rules as every baby’s appetite is different. Let your baby lead on how much they want to eat. 

• 6 months: At this age, babies may only manage to eat a few teaspoons of pureed food, once a day.  
• 7-8 months: A few tablespoons of pureed or soft foods, twice a day. 
• 8-9 months: A portion size roughly the size of their first, three times a day. 
• 10-12 months: Three meals a day, with portion sizes gradually increasing. 

The key is to let your baby’s hunger and fullness cues guide you, and to be aware that portion sizes will naturally vary from day to day. 

When weaning, how much milk should a baby have?

Breast milk or formula should be a baby's main liquid source until they reach their first birthday. Once they're 1 years old, toddlers can begin to have whole cow's milk or an unsweetened, non-dairy alternative. 

But when they first start weaning, babies continue to get most of their energy and nutrients from breast milk or formula feeds. So, you must carry on offering these regularly, as well as sips of water from a cup at mealtimes. 

From around seven months, babies gradually move towards eating three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). They’ll also have around four milk feeds a day - one when they wake up, one after their lunch, one after dinner, and a final one before bedtime. 

Because they're eating more solid foods, your baby's appetite for milk during each feed will reduce. They may even drop a milk feed altogether. 

How to combine milk feeds when weaning 

You should offer milk before or after meals depending on your baby’s appetite, gradually shifting milk feeds around solids as they begin eating more. The key is to be flexible so you can allow your baby to explore new foods while still getting the nutrients they need from milk. 

Breast milk feeds when weaning

Breastfed babies who are weaning naturally adapt their feeds according to how much food they're eating. You can carry on breastfeeding for as long as you both wish. 

Formula feeds weaning

According to the NHS, formula-fed babies between the ages of 7-9 months need around 600ml of milk a day while they're weaning. 

How much water to give your baby when weaning 

When you start weaning, you can begin to introduce drinks of water alongside their food. A few sips of water should be sufficient at first, gradually increasing this the more they eat. Milk should still remain their main source of fluids, and water should be offered in addition, not as a replacement, especially in the first year.