6 Months

Let’s get weaning. In the first six months babies get all the nutrients they need from breast milk or from first stage infant formula. There is no need to introduce any solid foods before this time.

Every baby is different but the evidence tells us that babies around 6 months old, who can:

• Stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady
• Reach out, grab something and take it to their mouth by themselves

are ready to try solid foods alongside their usual milk. You can try offering a spoonful of soft, well-mashed food to see how they cope.

It is important to make sure you introduce lots of different foods and let your baby make a mess. As well as mashed foods, you can offer soft finger-sized batons of cooked vegetables, fruit, pasteurised cheese, well-cooked chicken breast/fish/eggs or bread/toast for your baby to explore. Show them eating is fun!

Parents and carers are often worried about gagging and choking and it’s important to know the difference between the two. Gagging is a normal reflex that stops your baby from choking and is common as babies figure out how to eat. Choking is when the food gets stuck in your baby's airway and your baby can't breathe. Find out more from Parent Club about gagging and choking. Watch the video below to find out what to do if your baby is choking.

Baby’s usual milk is the main part of their diet until they are around 9 months old. You can offer tap water from a free-flow or open cup with meals.

You can find lots of information and resources below:

• Fun First Foods booklet - this leaflet is available in other languages and in audio format.
• NHSGGC Early Years Starting Solids
• NHSGGC Happy Healthy Tots Feeding your baby or child
• British Dietetics Association Complementary Feeding (Weaning) fact sheet

If you have any questions then please speak to your Health Visitor or Family Nurse.

Your baby uses a raking grasp (using all fingers together) to pick up objects. They can now poke objects with their index finger. They have discovered the joy of banging objects on the tray of their highchair whilst you are trying to feed them. Find out more from CBeebies Parenting Rip it up.

Your baby can roll from their tummy on to their back and back again with purpose.

Your baby is now starting to sit by themselves for short periods. Placing cushions around them will keep them safe as they enjoy learning this skill.

Your baby is beginning to enjoy lying on their tummy and reaching for toys by lifting their head and chest to look around. This allows them to push on their arms, and spin around, which looks like they are swimming.

Eating and Drinking

If your baby is ready to start trying solid foods it will be time to get messy. Things that you will need for weaning include a highchair, plastic bowl, soft weaning spoon, bib and a free flow cup. You might want a messy mat for under the highchair too.

There is lots of information about how to start solids in the feeding section. Getting messy and letting your baby explore with their hands as well as their mouths is important too. Let them explore all the tools you are using for feeding too.

It is important that your child is well supported when learning a new skill. A highchair is a good place to start when babies are learning to eat but you can support them on your lap or in a buggy if you need to. There are some things you might want to think about when choosing a highchair.

• A highchair with a backrest that changes angles from fully upright to reclined means you can adjust the position of the back in line with your child’s development. When your child first starts using their high chair they may not be able to sit in it with the backrest fully upright without falling to the sides or too far forward. As their core stability improves and they can sit upright unsupported you can move the backrest more and more upright.
• If your child is falling to the sides then you can use cushions, commercially available inserts or rolled up towels to help your child to stay sitting up straight in their highchair.
• High chairs with footrests support your child to develop good sitting posture with their feet flat on the footrest. Having their feet on a footrest when sitting increases stability and encourages your child to sit upright without slouching.
• Make sure the highchair has a harness that can be tightened to support your baby. A 5-point harness (like what is in a car seat) is the most supportive and helpful when your baby is small. You are looking for something that will stop your baby from slipping down in the highchair.
• To help to develop communication skills during mealtimes it is recommended that you position your child at eye level therefore it is important to think about the height of the highchair. Some commercially available highchairs allow you to adjust the height of the chair which may be useful if you intend to feed your baby in different places such as from the sofa, dining table or at a breakfast bar.

Teeth Brushing

Most babies will have teeth starting to erupt so if you haven't done so already it is time to start brushing their teeth.

Brushing your teeth is an essential part of looking after your body. You should be brushing your child's teeth at least twice a day. You can find out more from:

• The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) A Practical Guide to Children's Teeth
• Childsmile Oral health for babies: birth to 3 years old

Listening and Understanding

Your baby loves to listen to your songs and rhymes. Your baby will stop and listen to your voice even if they can't see you. They will stop and turn to familiar noises like a favourite rattle. Your baby enjoys it if you do something funny and will look forward to you doing it again and again. Find out more from CBeebies Parenting Enjoy silly time.

Talking

If you make noises and wait, your baby will try to copy you. Your baby will laugh, chuckle and blow raspberries. Soon they will start to make sounds on their own like 'ma' and 'ba'. Your baby knows that you will respond if they make a noise like a squeal, and they love this.

Interacting

Your baby will scream with annoyance if you take something they like away or if they can't reach it. They enjoy interacting in everyday routines like bath time.

Find out more from Parent Club Top tips for chatting together with your baby.

Your baby is now showing separation anxiety. This means they become upset when you leave them. Playing peekaboo can be helpful as it lets your baby get excited when you come back.

Your baby now recognises objects and knows what they are used for. They become excited when they see their bottle/cup/spoon and know they are going to be fed.

If you hold your baby up to a mirror, they will try to touch themselves in the mirror.