Frequently Asked Questions

Introducing solid foods is an exciting milestone in your baby’s development, and these frequently asked questions will help guide you on when and how to start safely and confidently.

My 5 month old baby has started waking up in the night after previously sleeping through. Would introducing solid foods sooner help her to sleep?

Waking up in the night is very common for babies throughout their first year of life. This can be for a variety of reasons including wanting comfort, feeling cold or they may be hungry. Babies can have several growth spurts meaning they may need more energy and nutrients at this time. Providing your baby with a breastfeed (or infant formula feed) can be ample to support their needs. Research has shown that introducing solid foods earlier than 6 months has no impact on how long a baby will sleep for.

My baby is on the 95th centile for weight and height, will they need to start solids sooner?

Size doesn’t affect how quickly a baby’s digestive system or kidneys mature. These develop at the same pace in all babies, regardless how big they are. It’s best to wait until they show signs of readiness for solids which is usually around 6 months.

Do I need to reduce milk feeds once solids start?

Not at first, introducing solid foods is aimed at complimenting their usual milk feeds and will be a gradual transition. As they move towards their first birthday and are established on solid foods, their consumption of milk will lessen. Breastmilk will continue to provide numerous benefits to your growing baby beyond 1 year of age, however formula milk is not needed after their first birthday.

What if my baby refuses food?

Don’t worry if your baby refuses food to start, this is a learning process for both you and your baby. Try to stay calm and try again at another time. Babies often need repeat exposures to food before accepting them. Every baby will progress at their own pace.