The 3 Stages of Weaning: What You Need to Know

Weaning is an essential step in a baby’s growth and development. As a parent, it can be both exciting and nerve-wracking to introduce your little one to solid foods. Understanding the stages of weaning, and how to manage them, can make the process smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your baby. This blog will guide you through the three stages or steps of weaning and provide helpful tips on how to start planning a weaning programme that works for your 6-month-old.

What actually is Weaning?

Weaning is the process of gradually introducing your baby to solid foods while phasing out their reliance on milk, whether it’s breast milk or formula. This gradual shift allows babies to explore new textures, flavours and nutrients while still receiving the essential nourishment from milk.

Weaning is generally broken down into three stages, each designed to help your baby transition to a more varied diet.

Stage 1 of Weaning: Introduction to Solids

When to Start: Around 6 months old.

Stage 1 of weaning begins when your baby is ready to try their first taste of solid foods. Up until this point, breast milk or formula has provided all the nutrition they need. However, around the six-month mark, your baby’s iron stores start to deplete, and they need solid foods to meet their growing nutritional needs.

At this stage, your baby may not consume much at first which is completely normal. The aim here is to introduce new flavours and textures, helping your baby learn how to swallow and get used to something other than milk.

Foods to Introduce:

• Pureed fruits such as apples, pears, and bananas.
• Cooked and pureed vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and peas.
• Grains like rice or oats cooked & mixed with breast milk or formula.

Tips for Stage 1 of Weaning:

• Start by offering just one or two teaspoons of food once a day.
• Introducing one new food at a time and waiting for at least three days before introducing another can help you monitor for any allergic reactions.
• Make sure the food is smooth and easy to swallow.

This phase is all about exploration, so let your baby take the lead. Keep things relaxed, and remember that at this stage, the majority of their nutrition is still coming from milk.

Stage 2 of Weaning: Exploring Textures

When to Start: 7 to 9 months old.

After your baby has adjusted to pureed foods, stage 2 of weaning can begin. This is an exciting stage because your baby will start trying a wider variety of foods, and the textures will become more complex. During this stage, you can move on to mashed or lumpy foods.

At this point, your baby should be eating two to three meals a day alongside their regular milk feeds. Their intake of solid food will naturally increase as they become more familiar with eating.

Foods to Introduce:

• Mashed fruits like avocados, bananas, or peaches.
• Soft-cooked vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and squash mashed with a fork.
• Protein-rich foods like lentils, mashed beans, or pureed chicken and fish.

Tips for Stage 2 of Weaning:

• Gradually make the food thicker and lumpier to help your baby learn to chew.
• Introduce finger foods like small pieces of soft fruit, vegetables, or toast.
• Continue offering a variety of new flavours to keep expanding your baby’s palate.

Remember to keep an eye on any allergic reactions and maintain a balance between solids and milk. During stage 2 of weaning, your baby is becoming more independent with eating, so encourage them to self-feed whenever possible (messy we know!).

Stage 3 of Weaning: Developing Independence

When to Start: 10 to 12 months old.

Stage 3 of weaning is all about helping your baby transition to eating family meals. By this stage, your baby may be eating three meals a day, plus snacks, and drinking water. Their intake of milk will decrease as they get more nutrients from solid food.

During this phase, your baby will develop better chewing skills, so they can handle more textured foods. Stage 3 of weaning allows babies to enjoy more of the food that the rest of the family eats, along with the national guidelines. 

Foods to Introduce:

• Soft pieces of cooked pasta or rice.
• Chopped fruits and vegetables like cucumber sticks, mango pieces, or soft-cooked carrots.
• Small pieces of cooked chicken, meat, or fish.
• Dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese.

Tips for Stage 3 of Weaning:

• Introduce more finger foods to help develop fine motor skills.
• Offer balanced meals with a variety of nutrients from different food groups.
• Avoid added salt, sugar, and processed foods.

By this stage, your baby may also start to eat with their hands, making mealtimes messier but a lot more fun! The goal is to encourage your child to become more independent with eating and continue to explore a wide range of flavours and textures.

How to Plan a Weaning Programme

Creating a weaning plan for a 6-month-old can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s crucial for ensuring your baby gets the right nutrients at each stage. A well-planned weaning programme can set the foundation for healthy eating habits in the future. Here’s how to plan one:

1) Start with Simple Foods: Begin with single-ingredient purees or mashed foods and gradually introduce more complex textures and flavours. This will allow your baby to adjust at their own pace.

2) Follow a Consistent Routine: Establish a mealtime routine that works with your baby’s feeding schedule. Offering solids at the same time each day can help set expectations and reduce mealtime stress.

3) Incorporate Variety: Once your baby is used to eating, make sure you offer a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains. This not only provides essential nutrients but also encourages a well-rounded palate.

4) Watch for Cues: Pay attention to your baby’s cues during mealtime. If they turn their head away or seem disinterested, don’t force-feed them. Trust their instincts and let them guide the process.

5) Stay Flexible: Remember that every baby is different. Some babies will take to solids quickly, while others may need more time. It’s essential to stay flexible and adjust your weaning plan as needed.

Final Thoughts

The weaning journey is a significant milestone for both you and your baby. By understanding the three stages or steps of weaning and planning a thoughtful weaning programme, you can help your baby develop a healthy relationship with food. From those first spoonfuls of pureed carrots to enjoying a meal with the family, weaning is an exciting time that sets the stage for a lifetime of nutritious eating habits. Keep things fun, follow your baby’s lead, and don’t forget to celebrate every little milestone along the way (and it will get messy, we promise!).