Your Top Weaning Questions: Answered

Missed our live Q&A with leading paediatric dietitian Lucy Upton? Don’t worry — we’ve rounded up some of the most common weaning questions from parents just like you.

From picky eating and food refusal to allergens and the 'two-spoon' method, Lucy shares practical, reassuring advice to help you feel more confident through every messy stage of weaning.

Is your little one refusing food?

Don't despair! Mealtimes are "sensory-rich opportunities" for learning, even if they don't eat much. Your baby is "quietly tucking away" experiences for future acceptance and skill-building. Keep offering, keep modelling, and trust the process! You're not failing, you’re helping deposit crucial life lessons in the developmental bank.

Clock watching or baby watching?

When starting weaning, developmental readiness trumps actual age! "Watch your baby, not the clock" – whether that's 5.5, 6, or 6.5 months. Waiting for those key milestones gives them the best chance to grasp eating skills. Read our blog on ‘Ready to Wean’ to get prepped.

What signs did your baby show that they were ready?

Allergens: How often is enough?

After safe introduction, consistency is key! Aim to offer major allergens like peanut and egg at least once a week to remind the immune system they're safe. Skipping a few weeks is usually fine, but regular exposure builds tolerance. Share your top tips for allergen introduction!

Dairy-free and worried about calcium?

You’ve got options.

Fortified milk alternatives can be a brilliant place to start — around 100-120ml counts as one portion — but they are not the only way to support calcium intake. Fortified yoghurt alternatives are also helpful too, and aim to choose unsweetened milk and yoghurt alternatives for babies and toddlers.

You can also look for:

Fortified dairy-free yoghurts
Fortified cereals
White bread
Tahini
Oranges
Oily fish with soft edible bones, such as sardines

And don’t forget iodine, which can be harder to get in dairy-free diets. Look for fortified milk alternatives that include iodine, and consider white fish weekly where appropriate.

The "two-spoon" method: helpful or harmful?

Lucy Upton, The Children’s Dietitian, advises against "sneaking" food in, using a two or three-spoon approach. Responsive feeding means paying attention to your child's cues and letting them engage willingly. Giving them control over the spoon fosters intrinsic engagement and safety. What are your thoughts on responsive feeding?

Is your baby eating too quickly and gagging?

It can be alarming, but it's often a natural part of learning! They're figuring out their limits and will self-correct their pace. Offer smaller amounts and model slow chewing. This behaviour usually resolves with experience. What's one thing you learned about baby feeding that surprised you?