Weaning Tracker

The NHS recommends starting weaning at around 6 months, and never before 4 months. Before this, breast milk or formula provides everything your baby needs.

The NHS lists three signs your baby is ready — they should show all three together:

• They can stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady
• They can coordinate their eyes, hands and mouth — looking at food, picking it up and putting it in their mouth themselves
• They can swallow food, rather than pushing most of it back out with their tongue

Chewing fists, wanting extra milk feeds and waking more in the night are normal baby behaviours — they're often mistaken for signs of being ready for solids, but on their own they aren't.

Introducing allergens

The NHS recommends introducing common allergens one at a time, from around 6 months, once weaning has started. Begin with a very small amount (around a quarter to half a teaspoon) and increase gradually — this makes it easier to spot any reactions. Research shows that delaying allergens, especially egg and peanut, can actually increase the risk of allergy developing. The main allergens to introduce are:

• Cow's milk (in cooking/food — not as a main drink before 12 months)
• Eggs (British Lion stamped eggs can be soft or runny; cook other eggs thoroughly)
• Peanuts (smooth peanut butter or finely ground — never whole)
• Tree nuts (nut butters or finely ground — never whole)
• Wheat and other gluten grains (in bread, pasta, cereals)
• Fish and shellfish (well cooked)
• Sesame (in hummus, tahini)
• Soya

Once introduced without reaction, keep offering these foods regularly (around twice a week) to maintain tolerance. If your baby does react to a food, stop giving it and speak to your GP or health visitor (or call 111) before trying it again.

NHS guidance reviewed: July 2026. Sources: NHS Start for Life, NHS.uk, BSACI, Anaphylaxis UK.