This is a basic guide to weaning a baby feeding 4 hourly on either breast or bottle. It can be started as early as 17 weeks if advised by a health professional. The timings are a guide only, so fit them around your activities and family.

At first baby will only take very small amounts, its all about learning and discovering. As the baby shows demand, increase the amount of food you offer.
Suggested first vegetables and fruit purees, also suitable for a reflux baby: Pear, Mango, Melon, Apricot, Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato, Carrots, Swede, Potato.
I would suggest only one new taste every 3 days so you can see what they enjoy or maybe react to. This plan does not show any night feeds you may still be giving.

weaning guide for 4 hourly feeds (for babies aged 17-24 weeks)

weeks 1 & 2

Wake Up	Breakfast	Lunch	Afternoon Feed	Dinner	Bedtime
6-7am feed	–	10-11am feed	2-3pm feed	5pm feed 1-2 tsp baby porridge mixed with milk	Split feed*

weeks 3 & 4

Wake Up	Breakfast	Lunch	Afternoon Feed	Dinner	Bedtime
6-7am feed	7.30-8.30am (a good hr after wake up feed) 1-2 tsp baby porridge mixed with milk followed by top up feed, so offer the breast or offer 120ml milk	11.30-12.30pm 1-2tsp veg puree followed by a feed	2-3pm feed	–	Split feed*

weeks 5 & 6

Wake Up	Breakfast	Lunch	Afternoon Feed	Dinner	Bedtime
6-7am feed	As previous 2 weeks, increasing quantities as baby dictates	As previous 2 weeks, increasing quantities as baby dictates	2-3pm feed	5-5.30pm 1-2 tsp fruit puree	Split feed*

*Split feed: One side if breastfeeding, or 90 ml of formula before the bath – then other breast or rest of bottle after the bath

a few top tips for weaning your baby

Never leave your baby alone with food as they may choke.
When ready, allow them to feed themselves by using their fingers.
Encourage them to enjoy touching and holding their foods.
Wait for your baby to open their mouth for food, never force them to eat.
Always make sure the food is cool before offering and when preparing foods never add any sugar/ salt or stock cubes.
Don’t feel pressurised by others to start weaning too soon. Every baby is an individual and many are not ready as early as others.
Some babies take to weaning quickly, others need a very long slow gentle approach with longer gaps between moving onto the next stage.
There are many good ready made foods on the market to aid weaning so don’t feel you have to make it all yourself. Find the right balance for you and your baby.
When considering which highchair to purchase a simple one that’s easy to keep clean is a good idea.
At 6 months introduce proteins and dairy if there are no allergies e.g. chicken, white fish, split red lentils, cream cheese, yogurt.