Early weaning at 4-5 months

If you have been advised that your baby is ready for weaning before the recommended age of six months it is important to remember that milk is still the most important food for him. It provides him with the right balance of vitamins and minerals. Solids given before six months are classed as first tastes and fillers which should be increased very slowly over several weeks, gradually preparing your baby for three solid meals a day. By offering the milk first you will ensure that his daily milk intake does not decrease too rapidly before he reaches six months. Depending how old your baby is when you first introduce solids, he will probably still need a late feed at 10pm until solids are well established. However, as he increases his solids he should automatically cut down on his 10pm feed and, provided he has been sleeping through for at least two weeks, you should be able to eliminate the last couple of ounces at that feed by the time he reaches six months and is established on three meals a day.

 

Introducing solid food

• When to wean
• Early weaning
• Which foods?
• Preparing and cooking food for your baby
• First stage weaning
• Weaning guidelines
• Early weaning at 4-5 months
• Introducing protein at 6 months
• Introducing solids at 6 months
• The 10pm feed
• Introducing solids at 11am
• Introducing solids in the evening
• Weaning plan at 4-5 months (Download PDF)
• Weaning plan at 5-6 months (Download PDF)
• Weaning plan at 6-7 months (Download PDF)

Quick links to important information