Weaning Readiness Checker UK | Modern Parenting

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Weaning Readiness Checker UK

Answer 8 questions based on NHS developmental signs to find out whether your baby is showing the signs of readiness for solid foods.

Based on NHS guidance 8 questions Free, no sign-up

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Is Your Baby Ready to Start Weaning?

Work through 8 questions about your baby’s development

Question 1 of 8

How old is your baby?

The NHS recommends starting solid foods at around 6 months. Starting before 17 weeks (4 months) is not recommended regardless of developmental signs.

Under 4 months (under 17 weeks)

4–5 months (17–22 weeks)

6 months or older (23 weeks+)

Question 2 of 8

Can your baby sit up with minimal support and hold their head steady?

This is one of the three key signs the NHS looks for. Your baby needs to be able to stay in a sitting position and hold their head still — this is essential for safe swallowing.

Yes, sits well and holds head steady

Almost — getting there but not quite

No, still quite wobbly

Question 3 of 8

Does your baby coordinate their eyes, hands and mouth? Can they pick things up and put them in their mouth?

This is the second key NHS sign. Hand-eye-mouth coordination shows that your baby’s motor skills and sensory development are reaching the stage needed to self-feed.

Yes, picks things up and mouths them

Sometimes — developing but not consistent

Not really yet

Question 4 of 8

Has your baby lost the tongue-thrust reflex?

This is the third key NHS sign. Young babies automatically push food out of their mouths with their tongue. This protective reflex fades as babies become ready for solids — if they still push everything out, they are not ready.

Yes — they don’t push food straight back out

Not sure — haven’t tried any food yet

No — they push food out with their tongue

Question 5 of 8

Does your baby show interest in food? Do they watch you eat, reach for your food or open their mouth when they see you eating?

Showing curiosity about food is a good indicator of readiness — though note that all babies do this to some degree and it alone is not a sufficient sign of readiness.

Yes, very interested in food and mealtimes

Some interest but not particularly engaged

No, not interested in food at all

Question 6 of 8

Has your baby recently started waking more at night or seeming hungry after their usual feeds?

Increased hunger is often misread as a weaning sign, but the NHS notes it is usually caused by a growth spurt or developmental leap rather than a need for solid food. However it is worth factoring in.

Yes, seems hungrier and waking more

No, milk feeds still seem satisfying

Question 7 of 8

Does your baby chew on toys, fists or other objects with a chewing motion?

Chewing movements — as opposed to just sucking — suggest that the jaw and oral muscles are developing in a way that supports eating solid foods.

Yes, definite chewing motions

Mainly sucking rather than chewing

Not really

Question 8 of 8

Has your baby’s weight gain been steady and are they generally healthy and well?

Babies who are unwell, have recently had surgery, or have underlying health conditions may need specific guidance from a health visitor or paediatrician before starting weaning.

Yes, healthy and gaining weight well

Some concerns — weight or health issues

Readiness score

Next steps

Understanding Weaning Readiness

The Three Key NHS Signs

The NHS is clear that all three of these signs must be present before starting solids: your baby can stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady; they can coordinate their eyes, hands and mouth; and they can swallow food rather than pushing it back out. No single sign is sufficient on its own.

Why 6 Months Is the Recommendation

The NHS recommends starting solid foods at around 6 months because before this age babies’ digestive systems, kidneys and immune systems are still maturing. Starting too early — particularly before 17 weeks — increases the risk of infection, allergies and choking, and may affect long-term health outcomes.

Signs That Are Often Misread

Waking more at night, seeming hungrier, putting hands in their mouth and watching you eat are all commonly cited as signs of weaning readiness — but the NHS notes these are normal infant behaviours that do not reliably indicate readiness for solids. They should be considered alongside the three key signs, not instead of them.

First Foods to Try

The NHS recommends starting with single-ingredient purees or soft finger foods — cooked vegetables, soft fruit, baby rice mixed with their usual milk. Introduce one new food every 2–3 days so you can identify any reactions. Avoid honey (under 1), whole nuts, raw shellfish, shark or swordfish, and anything with added salt or sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start weaning before 6 months?+

The NHS recommends waiting until around 6 months, and advises never starting before 17 weeks (4 months). However, every baby develops differently, and some may show all three readiness signs slightly before 6 months. If you are considering starting before 6 months, speak to your health visitor first. Starting before 17 weeks is not recommended regardless of signs shown.

Should I do purees or baby-led weaning?+

Both approaches are safe and effective when done correctly. Traditional weaning starts with smooth purees and gradually introduces more texture. Baby-led weaning (BLW) skips purees and goes straight to soft finger foods, allowing babies to self-feed from the start. Many parents combine both approaches. The most important thing is that food is the right texture and size to be safe, and that milk remains the primary nutrition source throughout the first year.

What are the most common allergens to introduce?+

The 14 major allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soya, sesame, fish, shellfish and more. Current NHS guidance recommends introducing these early (from around 6 months) rather than avoiding them — early introduction has been shown to reduce allergy risk. Introduce one new allergen at a time, in small amounts, and wait 2–3 days before trying another. If your baby has eczema or an existing food allergy, speak to your GP before introducing allergens.

My baby keeps gagging — is this normal?+

Gagging is a normal and protective reflex that helps prevent choking — and it is much more prominent in young babies than in adults. Gagging is not the same as choking. A gagging baby will typically resolve the episode themselves through coughing or spitting food out. It is important to learn the difference between gagging (noisy, baby is coughing) and choking (silent, baby cannot breathe). First aid training for parents is strongly recommended before starting weaning.

Do I drop milk feeds when I start weaning?+

No — not in the early stages. Breast milk or formula remains the primary source of nutrition for the first year of life. In the early weeks of weaning, food is exploratory rather than nutritional. Milk feeds should stay the same or reduce naturally as your baby’s solid food intake increases over several months. Most babies are not eating significant amounts of solid food until 8–9 months.

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Guidance only: This checker is based on NHS weaning guidelines and is a starting point only — not a clinical assessment. If you have concerns about your baby’s development or readiness for solids, speak to your health visitor or GP. Affiliate links: Some links on this site earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our recommendations are editorially independent. Read our full disclosure and disclaimer →

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