Weaning can be a confusing time, and it feels like there are so many “unknowns.” Parents so often ask me about feeding schedules and whether they should give their baby food or milk first. So in this blog, I wanted to help cover the topic of whether we should be offering food, or milk first when offering your baby’s first meals.
To put it simply, there is no ONE way to wean your baby, and what works for one, may not work for another. So when it comes to whether you should offer milk or food first, the answer is…it’s largely up to you!
The NHS generally recommend offering food “BEFORE one of baby’s usual milk feeds” and First Steps Nutrition Trust also says “If babies fill up on milk before meals they may be less interested in trying new foods, so giving milk drinks after meals is recommended”, however other anecdotal advice to parents often stresses that it’s important that baby is still having plenty of calories from their milk too at this time and so milk should be offered first. Of course this can leave parents conflicted.
However, ultimately it might be a case of seeing what works for your baby.
When you offer them their first foods you want them to be:
- Feeling well
- Rested
- Hungry (with enough of an appetite for them to want to try something new)
- But not SUPER hungry (as then they will just want their familiar, easy calories from milk)
It really is about finding what works for you and your baby, and sometimes that can take a little bit of trial and error. Some people find that offering food AFTER a milk feed is helpful, whilst others offer food BEFORE they’re due to have a milk feed. Whichever way you do it, it IS helpful to try and leave a bit of a gap between a milk feed and solid foods. I usually advise leaving at least 30 minutes to 1 hour between milk and solids, to find that “sweet spot” where babies are neither too hungry, nor too full!
When you first start weaning it’s important to remember, it’s not about replacing milk with food, it’s about adding something NEW. Neither food nor milk is more “important” at this stage. Milk continues to offer the bulk of a baby’s nutrition until at least 10-12 months of age, although solid foods should start to offer nutrients such as iron and zinc, from around 6 months. Introducing solid foods is also about your baby learning the skills needed to be able to transition from a milk-only diet, to eating a diet similar to that of adults in terms of variety and texture.
Finding a new routine that includes solid foods can be tricky. However, establishing some sort of routine around when solid foods are offered can really help with babies being more accepting of foods and learning to know when a solid meal is coming and when a milk feed is coming – routine and familiarity can really help.
For more advice on milk recommendations for babies and young children, or on reducing milk feeds once your baby is on solids, check out these resources.
What does a typical meal routine look like when offering solids?
So many parents ask me what a meal routine “should” look like when your baby is weaning. It’s impossible to say exactly, as it really varies from family to family. It’s important to follow what works best for YOU and YOUR family. Babies thrive on routine, but that doesn’t mean there’s one “ideal” routine for everyone.
Below are some example routines for different ages, as a very rough guide.
6-7 months
In this first month of weaning, it’s really about experimenting and establishing solid foods as part of your new routine. Your routine won’t need to change much just yet, and you don’t need to make any changes to the amount of milk they’re having.
A typical routine might look like:
- Morning – Milk on waking (breast or bottle)
- Nap time – Milk (breast or bottle)
- Lunch – Veg puree and finger food
- Nap time – Milk (breast or bottle)
- Before bed – Milk (breast or bottle)
- Night feeds – on demand – for more on night feeding for babies, check my blog.
7-9 months
As you progress through weaning, your baby will likely start to take more solid foods, and increase the number of meals they’re having in the day. They’ll also start to have more balanced meals. If you’re worried that your baby isn’t taking to weaning, or doesn’t seem to show much interest in food, check out my factsheet for some tips and advice. Your baby may start to show less interest in some milk feeds, or have less at some feeds. That can be totally fine, and it’s good to follow their lead with regards to their appetite, but if you’re worried chat to your HV about how they are getting on.
- Morning – Milk on waking (breast or bottle)
- Breakfast – Balanced meal, with veg/fruit, protein and carbohydrate – here are my top 10 breakfast ideas for children
- Nap time – Milk (breast or bottle)
- Lunch – Balanced meal with veg/fruit, protein and carbohydrate – check out my 7 days of lunches for babies and toddlers
- Nap time – Milk (breast or bottle)
- Dinner – Balanced meal with veg/fruit, protein and carbohydrate – try my 7 days of dinners for babies and toddlers
- Before bed – Milk (breast or bottle)
- Night feeds – on demand
Babies will gradually move through from 1-2-3 meals a day as they get confident with solids. I have a blog that helps you work out when to add in another meal during weaning.
10-12 months
By around this age, most babies will be eating 3 solid meals per day, and solid foods will start to provide the majority of their nutrient and energy requirements. Each milk feed is noted as “as desired”, as it will really vary for each baby and family as to which milk feeds they may be more likely to drop.
A typical meal routine for babies between 10-12 months might be:
- Morning – Milk on waking (breast or bottle) – as desired
- Breakfast – Porridge/cereal/toast/pancakes
- Nap time – Milk (breast or bottle) – as desired
- Lunch – Meal with veg, protein and a carbohydrate
- Nap time – Milk (breast or bottle) – as desired
- Dinner – Family style meals, adapted
- Before bed – Milk (breast or bottle) – as desired
- Night feeds – on demand
I hope you’ve found this blog helpful. For plenty more tips on weaning, do check out my blog as I cover LOTS of the most common questions parents have when offering their little ones solid foods. Also check out these links if you want to read more about milk amounts and recommendations for milk for babies.
Online Weaning Course
If you’re soon to begin your baby’s weaning journey, Charlotte’s Online Weaning Course is your complete step-by-step guide to introducing solids.