• May sit in high chair
• Begins to pick up and hold objects
• Puts everything in his mouth
• Turns his head towards sounds
• Can drink from sippy cup with help
• Exchanges smiles
• Starts babbling
• Begins to chew
• Starts to show food likes and dislikes

• Breast milk (or follow-on formula):

What?

Breast milk, on demand. If introducing a follow-on formula, take the advice of your health care professional and follow the on-pack feeding and preparation guidelines.

Why?

Breast milk or formula milk is still the main source of nutrients for your weaning baby.

As your baby grows, they’ll begin to need more iron, which they will need to get from solid foods. (Your health care professional will be able to advise you in more detail.) If you choose to make use of a follow-on formula, choose one with a high quality protein and that is enriches with vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc and the essential fatty acids.

• Infant cereals (100g):

What?

Your baby will need about 50g or 3 tablespoons of iron fortified infant cereal a day.

Why?

Each serving of infant cereal is packed with important nutrients and provides complex carbohydrates that are easy to digest. This makes them ideal for babies who still only have little tummies, and will help him feel fuller for longer.

• Fruits (60-130g):

What?

Your baby needs about 4-8 tablespoons of puréed fruit per day.

Why?

Fruit contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants (to help keep cells healthy), and gentle dietary fibre (to help support digestion).

• Vegetables (60-130g):

What?

Your baby will need about 4-8 tablespoons of puréed vegetables per day.

Why?

Vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants (to help keep cells healthy), and gentle dietary fibre (to help support digestion).

• Meat & Fish (10-15g):

What?

2-3 teaspoons of cooked and puréed meat or fish a day.

Why?

This amount of meat and fish provides high quality protein (needed for building those little muscles). Red meat is packed with iron and zinc. Oily fish, like salmon, are easy to digest and contain the essential fatty acids such as omega 3.

• Holds sippy cup with help: Let him practise his developing motor skills at meal times – let him help you hold his sippy cup.
• Begins to chew: He can mash up small, soft lumps between his gums. So his food will no longer have to be velvety smooth. Try yoghurt with pieces of soft fruit.
• Starts to show likes and dislikes: Introducing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables at this stage will help ensure he doesn’t become a fussy eater.

Your baby can help you understand how much food he needs. You just have to learn his cues.

Your baby might have had enough if he:

• Slows down eating
• Gets distracted easily
• Closes or covers mouth
• Turns head away

Full up – suggestions

Listen to your baby’s cues. If they are full, don’t try to force them to eat more. It’s normal for the amount your baby eats to change from meal to meal as well as day to day depending on their activity level.

Your baby may still be hungry if he:

• Leans towards the food or spoon
• Reaches for spoon or food
• Smiles and looks at you while feeding

Still hungry – suggestions

After the meal, offer an extra 1-4 teaspoons of infant cereal, meat, fish, fruit or vegetables. You can try to gradually increase the number of teaspoons of infant cereal, fruit, vegetables, meat or fish at the next mealtime by 1-4 teaspoons.

Although breast milk and/or follow-on formula is still the foundation of his diet, food is becoming more important. Especially when it comes to making sure his levels of iron and zinc remain topped up.

• Dairy products:

Pasteurised soft cheese and yogurts are good sources of protein and calcium – an important building block for bones.

• Vegetables:

Leek, onion, broccoli, tomato (peeled and de-seeded), fennel, cauliflower, kale, plantain and breadfruit are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and provide plenty of gentle dietary fibre. Adding a little good quality vegetable oil will help your baby absorb certain vitamins.

• Cereals:

Wheat, rye, barley and semolina – infant cereals are a source of many important nutrients like calcium, iron and zinc and complex carbohydrates that will provide plenty of energy for growth.

• Fruits:

Strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, orange and blueberries are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and plenty of gentle dietary fibre. They will provide new exciting tastes and textures.

• Meat, Fish and Eggs:

Beef, veal, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey and fish (salmon, cod and hake) – introduce just one type of meat or fish per day to let your baby get used to the new taste and texture. Use the leanest cuts and always cook and purée it. For fish, ensure you remove all bones before puréeing. 

• Might start crawling
• Will pull himself up
• First teeth begin to appear
• May start to feed himself
• Knows his name
• Starts saying ‘dada’ and ‘mama’
• Shows you if happy or scared

• Breast milk (or follow-on formula):

What?

Breast milk, on demand. If you choose to use a follow-on formula, please follow the advice of your health care professional and the on-pack feeding and preparation guidelines.

Why?

Breast milk or formula milk is still the main source of nutrients for your weaning baby. From 6 to 12 months your baby needs the equivalent of 500-600 ml of milk a day, which is about a pint.

As your baby grows, they’ll begin to need more iron, which they will need to get from solid foods. (Your health care professional will be able to advise you in more detail.)

• Infant cereals (50- 00 g):

What?

Your baby will eat about 50-100g or 3-6 tablespoons of iron fortified infant cereal a day.

Why?

Each serving of infant cereal is packed with important nutrients and provides complex carbohydrates that are easy to digest. This makes them an ideal food for babies who still only have little tummies, and will help them feel fuller for longer.

• Fruits (130 – 260g):

What?

Your baby needs about 8-15 tablespoons per day of puréed fruit (1-2 medium sized apples).

Why?

Fruit contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants (to help keep cells healthy), and gentle dietary fibre (to help support digestion).

• Vegetables (130 - 260g):

What?

Your baby will need about 8-15 tablespoons per day of puréed vegetables.

Why?

Vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants (to help keep cells healthy), and gentle dietary fibre (to help support digestion).

• Meat & Fish (15 - 30g):

What?

1-2 tablespoons of cooked and puréed meat, fish or scrambled egg per day.

Why?

This amount of meat, fish or egg provides high quality protein (needed for building little muscles). Red meat is a great source of iron. Oily fish, such as salmon and tuna, contain essential fatty acids such as omega 3. Oily fish is also good for mental development.

• He loves to practise chomping and chewing: Give him chewier and chunkier textures to practise on.
• He can hold a spoon: Once he can find his mouth with it, he’s ready to start feeding himself. A small bowl of cereal or puréed fruit is the perfect place for him to start.
• His first teeth are beginning to break through: It’s a good time to help him take his first bites.
• He begins to pick up food with thumb and forefinger: Provide different sized pieces of bright coloured vegetables to encourage him to pick them up.

Your baby can help you understand how much food he needs. You just have to learn his cues.

Your baby might have had enough if he:

• Shakes head to say ‘no more’
• Bats, pushes or drops the bowl
• Clamps lips shut, stops opening mouth or closes eyes
• Gets distracted easily
• Spits out familiar food or pushes it away

Full up – suggestions

Learn to understand your baby’s cues. If they are full, don’t try to force them to eat more. It’s normal for the amount your baby eats to change from meal to meal as well as day to day depending on their activity level.

Keep a food diary. You’ll be able to see what, how much and when they like to eat, and it’s a handy reference for talking to your health care professional, if ever needed.

Your baby may still be hungry if he:

• Opens mouth for food or spoon
• Reaches out for food
• Gets excited about eating
• Follows you with his eyes or looks at food while eating

Still hungry – suggestions

After the meal, offer 1-4 teaspoons of infant cereals, fruit or vegetables. You can try to gradually increase the number of teaspoons of infant cereals, fruit, vegetables, meat or fish at the next mealtime by 1-4 teaspoons.

They could also be thirsty. Try offering them some water to drink.

Try offering them a teething biscuit or a small piece of bread. It will also help them practise their chewing.

Although breast milk and/or follow on formula are still important, a healthy balanced diet is key. All the major food groups now have a big role to play.

• Dairy products:

Pasteurised soft cheeses, yogurt and custard are good sources of protein and calcium – an important building block for bones.

• Cereals:

Due to its complex carbohydrates, pasta is a great source of energy. Cook it until it’s melt in the mouth soft (much softer than you’d normally serve for grown-ups). It will help them practise their chewing.

• Vegetables:

Asparagus, turnip, beetroot, green beans, pepper and okra are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and provide plenty of gentle fibre. Steaming is the best way to preserve their vitamins and taste. Adding a little good quality vegetable oil will help your baby to better absorb certain vitamins.

• Herbs and spices:

Coriander, garlic, mint, vanilla, thyme and parsley – add just a sprinkle to give him new tastes and flavours.

• Fruits:

Mango, pineapple, coconut, rhubarb, melon and figs are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and provide plenty of gentle dietary fibre. They will provide new exciting tastes and textures.

• Meat, Fish and Eggs:

Like meat and fish, eggs can provide your baby with high quality protein.  Egg yolks are also a good source of vitamins.  Remember to ensure that the egg is fully cooked and the yolk is not runny. 

Your baby now needs to try new flavours one at a time, as well as experiencing a slightly coarser texture to encourage varied eating. 

For your 7 month old baby, food is one of the many ways in which they will discover their world. There’s so much to see, taste and explore, and as they get used to new flavours they’ll discover more likes and dislikes. Now they’re a little older, your baby will slowly settle into eating three meals a day, with snacks in between as necessary. As they get used to this rhythm, they’ll also adjust to waiting between meals to satisfy their hunger.

CERELAC® Stage 2 is designed to help you through this part of weaning. 7 months is the age at which your little one can get used to small lumps and new textures, but they still require a careful balance of vitamins and nutrients to aid their growth and development. When your little one is aged 7 months, baby food should provide them with the foundation for a healthy diet that still includes their usual breast or formula milk. That’s why we’ve made sure CERELAC® contains the nutrients your little one needs, including calcium and vitamin D to help with the normal growth and development of their bones. It also contains iron, which contributes to their normal cognitive development, as well as zinc, iodine, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

CERELAC® Stage 2 food for 7 months old babies comes in three tasty flavours, each designed to introduce them to new and exciting tastes. The range includes Apple and Wheat with Milk, Banana and Wheat with Milk, and Mixed Vegetables and Rice with Milk. They can also be used in combination with some of our easy recipes for homemade baby food, designed with 7+ months old infants in mind.

This nutritious infant cereal is wheat-based and contains milk powder and apple. It’s designed for infants from 7 months old. It is not suitable for use as a breast milk substitute.

This delicious wheat-based infant cereal contains milk powder and banana. It’s made for infants from 7 months old who are ready to try new, simple flavours. It is not suitable for use as a breast milk substitute.

This rice based infant cereal is made with mixed vegetables and milk powder to help you introduce new flavours to your baby from the age of 7 months. It is not suitable for use as a breast milk substitute.

Now they’re at Stage 2 your baby is ready for a thicker, mashed consistency, so complement their diet with cooked and pureed fruit and vegetables. These might include broccoli, aubergine, oranges, and dried apricots, as well as small amounts of fish, meat, or meat alternatives. For more information read our tips for weaning. Remember that it can be a slow process, so there’s lots of time to try different types of food and find something that works for you and your baby.

Whether you buy it or cook it yourself, it will encourage them to chew whilst helping to prepare them for the varied tastes of family meals. By now they’ll be getting ready to try things like small pieces of well-cooked potato or soft fish, and as they get used to these changes, their tastes will develop and grow.

CERELAC® infant cereal for babies from 8 months old contains important nutrients to help them grow and develop. Our Stage 3 food also introduces new textures to your baby’s diet, encouraging them to explore chewing and get used to new sensations.

CERELAC® contains calcium and vitamin D, both of which are needed for the normal growth and development of your little one’s bones, while iron contributes to their normal cognitive development. Like all our products, our 8 months baby food also contains zinc, iodine, vitamin A and vitamin C.

By now they should be comfortable with solid food, so they can eat three meals a day with snacks in between if necessary. They are probably crawling and they’ll know how to keep a tight hold on their spoon, making mealtimes more adventurous – and maybe messy!

Our 8 months old baby food is available as Three Cereals (Wheat, Oats, and Rice with Milk) or Mixed Fruits with Milk.

This wheat-based infant cereal contains milk powder, oats and rice. It’s designed for infants from 8 months of age. This product is not suitable for use as a breast milk substitute.

Containing a variety of nutrients, this is a wheat-based infant cereal with milk powder and mixed fruits. It’s suitable for babies from 8 months of age. It is not a suitable breast milk substitute.

In addition to your baby’s 8 month old baby food, they should still be having milk (breastmilk or formula milk), as well as child-friendly dairy products. They’re usually also ready to try small, easy-to-chew pieces of food, like soft pasta, minced meat, and well-cooked pulses, and they can also drink water. This stage of your baby’s weaning is a really exciting one, as they truly start to explore the world of food – so remember to enjoy all those precious moments!

An ideal foundation to a varied and balanced diet, this food is designed to be given to babies from 8 months old. This means, for example, that Stage 3 CERELAC® can be fed to a 10 month old. Baby food at this stage supports their transition to eating more family foods, as they will get used to chewing lumps, so it’s normal to take more time over Stage 3 than the previous stages.

And don’t forget, they’ll know to stop eating when they’re full, so use their behaviour as a guide to how much they need.

Read our weaning tips for more information on introducing solid foods to your 8+ months old baby.

With the gradual introduction of ‘solid’ foods from 6 months, your baby begins the journey of learning to eat a varied and healthy diet. The breast milk or infant formula that has been their sole source of nutrition up until this point will no longer be sufficient in meeting their nutritional needs, so solid foods also need to be introduced into their diet. Eventually they will get all the nutrients they need from the foods they eat and no longer need breastmilk or infant formula. Once solids are introduced your child will discover a whole world of new flavours and textures, as well as developing new skills that are important for their development. Here are some guidelines for making this crucial stage in their development a success.

The very first spoonful of carrot puree or mouthful of cereal represents a remarkable milestone and change for your baby: they have now begun weaning. Baby milk, whether breast milk or formula, has so far provided them with everything they need, but now there’s a whole new world of taste to explore. Thanks to all these new flavours and textures, your baby realises little by little that they have the power to make decisions, such as "I like it" / "I don't like it", and that they have a personality.

What’s more, the foods they like now as a baby, will often translate into adult preferences. This means that the introduction of solids is also an important stage in the development of their independence. Meal times also represent a new experience for your baby. They move from a passive role to become an active player, and can also start interacting with those around them. Weaning babies aren’t just eating for nutrition; they’re exploring their world and finding their place within it.

Your baby’s first spoonful of food is a precious moment, and we know you want to prepare it carefully and make it a special occasion. Buy a special spoon, made of plastic (not metal) for a softer feel, and sit your baby’s high chair next to the table, giving them a place with the family for the first time. Don't forget to take a photo. Remember that this is a new skill for your baby, so the process may take time.

Weaning your baby won’t happen instantly, but nor should it as they will still need 500-600ml of milk up to the end of the first year.

When you begin weaning them, your baby might just suck on the spoon but this in itself is a success.

Some babies refuse the spoon at first. If your baby clamps their mouth shut and won't budge, just try again later.

NO LIKE IT!

You may occasionally come up against an out-and-out refusal.  This is called food neophobia, or an aversion to a new food. It generally starts at around the age of 2 and reaches a peak between the ages of 4 & 7. There are many reasons why your child may decide not to like a particular food. They may be trying to assert themselves, or it could be a matter of personal taste. It may even be caution about trying new things.  The more you introduce new foods before the age of 2 the less risk there is of neophobia. That’s why it’s important, when weaning babies, to stimulate their sense of taste as soon as you start introducing solids.

At 6 months, breast milk or infant formula is still the most important way to give your baby the nutrients he or she needs. However, at 6 months, your baby will also start showing you that they are ready for their first foods by putting things in their mouths or showing an interest in the food around them. Gradually introducing appropriate foods will encourage enjoyment of a variety of flavours, forming the basis of a balanced diet and helping to ensure future health.

Some important advice to remember as you start weaning:

Weaning is not about stopping breastfeeding or bottle-feeding all at once.  It’s important that your baby continues to have their milk as well as eating ‘solid’ foods as part of the weaning process. The milk they have is still full of important nutrients, and it will be a while before they can get all of their nutrition from the food they eat. Weaning is about getting them used to solid foods, then, as the WHO (World Health Organisation) recommends, only stopping breastfeeding or bottle-feeding when they are around 2 years and eating family foods.

• Weaning means getting your baby used to food that is not a liquid and learning how to move the food around their mouths. This skill takes time and at the start of weaning don’t be concerned if more food ends up on the floor than in their mouth.
• Continue to give your baby breast milk or infant formula (about 500-600mls) in addition to their first foods.
• Only introduce one new food at a time when you’re weaning. Baby foods with simple flavours are best.
• Use a flexible plastic spoon.
• Introduce new foods when you and your baby are relaxed.
• Never force feed your baby; if they reject a food, just try it again at another time.
• Persevere, as a new food or taste can take up to 16 attempts before it is accepted!
• When you’re starting out, only give food in small quantities. As you start weaning, offer a few teaspoons once a day before a milk feed and gradually increase the amount and frequency.

The first foods to introduce:

• Infant cereals:

 are often used for weaning babies: your healthcare professional will often recommend them as the first solids to introduce into your baby’s diet because they are a good way of introducing your baby to new flavours and consistencies.

It is advisable to start with gluten-free cereals such as rice and maize. Gluten is a plant protein contained in certain cereals like wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt. Foods, which contain them, include pasta, biscuits, bread and adult breakfast cereals. Intolerance to gluten is thought to affect around one in every 2,000 infants. Although in the UK it is advised that parents start with gluten-free cereals when weaning babies, in some Afro—Caribbean and South Asian cultures wheat is considered an acceptable first weaning food. If in doubt, consult your healthcare professional.

The main benefits of infant cereals are:

• Infant cereals are a gentle way to develop your baby’s tastes, with a new consistency that is thicker than milk.
• Cereals gradually help to lengthen the time between meals, helping you to get into the rhythm of three main meals a day with one or two snacks.
• Your infant needs an optimum balance of nutrients while they are weaning. Baby cereals also contain numerous nutrients such as iron and other mineral salts, as well as vitamins and proteins that are important for your baby’s growth and development.

How can you incorporate infant cereals?

Gradually increase the amount of cereals according to your healthcare professional’s recommendations.

• Fruit and vegetables:

Fruit and vegetables are the basic ingredients of a well-balanced diet. At the start, opt for milder flavours, which your baby is more likely to enjoy.

Weaning babies should only have fruit and vegetables that have been cooked. Try vegetables like pumpkin, courgette, artichoke, carrot, spinach, pea, parsnip and yam, making sure you do not add any salt. Puréed potatoes and carrots are an ideal first weaning food. For cooked fruits, try apples, bananas, apricots, peaches, pears, quince, prunes, plum, mango, papaya and guava. When cooking these, remember not to add sugar.

If you are making the food at home, cook the vegetables and fruit in water or steam with no added salt, sugar or fat. Make sure you blend the mixture to a very smooth consistency and give it to your weaning baby as a puree or compote.

How much should you give your baby?

Your baby will let you know how much food he or she needs by giving you different cues. Remember every baby is different and it is important that they learn to stop eating when they are full.

Foods to avoid or limit:

• Never add salt to your baby’s food or give them food with added salt, because their kidneys will not be able to cope with the salt load.
• Limit the amount of sugar and sugary foods you give to your weaning baby, as eating these regularly can increase risk of tooth decay and may encourage a sweet tooth.
• Avoid honey (until 1 year of age), whole nuts (until 5 years of age), raw eggs, shark, merlin, and swordfish.
• Cows’ milk can be used in cooking from six months but is not suitable as a drink before the age of 12 months.

At around 7 months your baby will be ready for some new foods, as well as foods with a thicker consistency and some lumps. You shouldn’t be stopping breastfeeding or bottle-feeding yet, as it’s still an important part of their diet. They will gradually adjust to a pattern of three meals a day with snacks as required. Your baby will also learn to wait between meals to satisfy hunger – every child will find their own pace.

New fruits and vegetables:

During Stage 1, your baby will already have tasted several types of fruit and vegetables. Throughout Stage 2 they’ll experience new tastes like citrus and red fruits and discover milled purées (purées with a thicker, mashed consistency). Continue to give your weaning baby only cooked fruit and vegetables.

• Suitable cooked vegetables include leeks, onion, broccoli, tomatoes, fennel, aubergine, breadfruit, and plantain.
• Cooked fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, oranges, blackberries, blueberries and dried fruits such as apricot.

They can also have:

• Limited amounts of vegetable oil (for example rapeseed or sunflower oil) to provide essential fatty acids for your child’s well-balanced diet.
• Hardboiled eggs: 1/2 maximum, no more than twice a week.
• Meat: lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, pork.
• Fish: cod, salmon, hake (remember to check thoroughly for bones).
• Meat alternatives: soya, tofu, bean curd, peas, beans and lentils.

Remember that the process of weaning babies takes around 6 months, so you have plenty of time to try lots of different types of foods.

During this phase, your baby’s milk still remains important for their growth and development (at least 500 ml /day), along with dairy products suitable for young children. Your baby will probably be eating a little of everything, every day over the space of three regular meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with appropriate snacks once or twice a day. Now is the time to introduce small, soft pieces of food:

• Starchy foods including new foods such as little pasta shapes, soft rice, soft pieces of potato, corn, semolina, quinoa and couscous.
• Meat, fish and eggs. These need to be mashed, soft, chopped or minced in consistency and eggs must be cooked thoroughly.
• Pulses such as well-cooked lentils.
• New fruit and vegetables cooked, raw, grated, and some kinds of tropical fruit (pineapple, melon, mango and fig).

When it comes to quantity, your baby is the best guide, as they will stop eating when they feel full. Finally, you can also give them water as well as their usual milk (breast milk or formula milk) to drink.

Remember, weaning is a crucial stage in your baby’s development. It is a time of learning how to eat solid foods and enjoy a variety of flavours and textures. It should also be a fun time and if done right, it will help your baby grow and develop into a healthy child.