0-1 Yrs: How To Wean Your Baby

You feel you've just got your baby organised. She's feeding more quickly and fewer times a day. And perhaps you're even getting a night's sleep. Then someone says it's time to tackle weaning.

Weaning creates all sorts of anxieties. Suddenly, you're juggling ice-cube trays, sterilizing kit and fiddling with drinking cups. You find yourself discussing the 'organic or not' question and 'home-made versus shop-bought'. But don't worry, it's not as complicated as it seems at first.

Problem: I'm bombarded with conflicting advice
There's no exact recipe for weaning a baby. Take a pinch of experience from your friends, add a dash of advice from a health visitor and even dip into the odd book. Stick to a few rules on when to introduce certain foods and what consistency they should be. But when it comes down to details, you must go with what best suits your baby and the rest of your family.

Problem: My baby retches when I try to feed her
If you've just introduced her to solids, make sure the food is very smooth and sloppy. Put just a little on the spoon. Your baby's mouth is small - you don't have to put the spoon far into her mouth. If your baby's older and usually feeds well from the spoon, maybe she's telling you she's full.

Problem: My baby spits out the food in my face!
Perhaps your baby isn't ready to be weaned yet. You've got a 2-month window, from 4 to 6 months, in which to start weaning. You could stop for a week or so and try again. Or try a different food and see if she likes it better. It's best to introduce foods singly so you know what suits her and what doesn't. If she has any allergic reactions, introducing new foods one at a time will allow you to spot it.

Problem: I don't know when my baby's had enough
Your baby will tell you when she's had enough. She'll clamp her jaw shut, turn her head away and refuse another mouthful. You may be stunned by the amount she's eaten. Or perhaps she doesn't seem to eat enough. Babies' appetites vary enormously. As long as she's gaining weight, don't worry.

Problem: My baby's constipated
Try giving your baby prune juice (water in which you've soaked and boiled prunes) or a prune-based jar of baby food. Remember to keep the fluids up. When your baby starts on solids, she'll need more fluids to keep things flowing. Water's the best drink, but diluted fruit juice can work well for constipation.

It may take a few weeks for you and your baby to get the hang of feeding solids. But don't worry, as long as she's getting enough milk you've plenty of time to play with.