HOW DO I BALANCE MILK AND SOLIDS?

In the early stages of starting solids, milk (breastmilk or formula) remains your baby’s primary source of nutrition. Think of solids as complementary—an opportunity to explore new tastes and textures, not a replacement for milk feeds.

Here’s a simple guide to help balance milk and solids as your baby grows:

6–9 months: Start by offering milk feeds before solids. This ensures your baby isn’t too hungry or frustrated when exploring new foods. At this stage, aim for 1–2 small solid meals per day, focusing on exposure rather than volume.

9–12 months: As solids become more established, you can either keep milk feeds first, or you can gradually shift milk feeds to after meals or space them apart if they are eating 2-3 meals and are hungry. Continue to follow your baby’s cues—they’ll naturally reduce milk feeds as their intake of solids increases. 

12 months: By their first birthday, solids should provide the majority of your baby’s nutrition. Space milk feeds and meals longer apart to encourage more focus on solid foods. Aim for three solid meals a day, plus snacks as needed – however the snack can also still be the breastmilk or formula feed.

Remember, every baby is different! Follow their lead and adjust based on their needs.

For more tips and practical advice on weaning check out:

• Our Weaning Masterclass
• Listen to our Weaning podcast episode
• Read our blog on Weaning