Weaning Worries & Delayed Progress
A structured, compassionate guide when moving from milk to mealtimes feels slow, messy, or stuck.
What you might be seeing
This path is for you if weaning hasn’t felt smooth — or if it started well, then stalled. You might have expected things to gradually improve with time. But instead, you’re noticing: Your baby isn’t taking to solids the way others seem to You’re unsure what or how much to offer — and feel like you’re guessing every day Spoon refusal, gagging, or clamping shut happen often Your baby accepts only purées, or only small tastes, or only one texture There’s little interest in self-feeding or chewing You’ve heard “they’ll get there” — but you’re not sure they actually are You’re starting to worry about nutritional gaps, feeding skills, or how they’ll cope beyond the first year Whether you’re just starting the weaning journey or already feel deep in it, this path is here to give you grounding and direction. You’re not behind. You’re building a foundation.
What could be going on
When weaning doesn’t unfold as expected, it’s easy to blame yourself — or wonder if something’s wrong with your baby. But in most cases, delayed progress has very real reasons. Not problems — reasons. And when you know what’s shaping your baby’s readiness, you stop guessing and start responding in a way that fits. Here’s what might be going on underneath: Feeding Skills Are Still Developing Feeding isn’t just about appetite. It’s about coordination — tongue movement, jaw strength, breathing while chewing, sitting upright, managing new textures. For some babies, these skills take longer to come together. That’s not failure. It’s motor development. Sensory Overload is Holding Them Back Food is full of new smells, textures, colours, and temperatures. For some babies, this is exciting. For others, it’s overwhelming. If your baby startles, gags, or turns away, it may be their body saying “this feels like too much right now.” They Don’t Feel Stable or Supported in Their Seat Body positioning is everything. If your baby doesn’t feel secure or upright enough in their seat, they’re less likely to focus on eating. Instead, their body is using energy just to stay balanced — which makes feeding feel hard before it even begins. Previous Discomfort May Be Lingering Some babies associate food with discomfort. Maybe they had reflux, constipation, or a dairy allergy. Even if those issues have improved, the memory of discomfort can remain — and lead to cautious or avoidant feeding patterns. Pacing Didn’t Match Their Readiness Sometimes well-meaning routines or advice (“start finger foods by 6 months,” “move quickly through textures”) don’t match the baby’s actual readiness. If things felt rushed, they may now be reluctant to explore. When you see weaning delays through this lens, you can meet your baby’s needs with calm, not pressure. And that’s what helps them build the confidence to move forward.
First steps you can take
You don’t need to overhaul everything. But you do need to pause and recalibrate. This section helps you shift from “trying everything” to trying what fits. Start with Positioning — Always Before thinking about the food, check how your baby is sitting. Are their feet supported? Is their back upright and stable? Is the tray at elbow height? Are they comfortable and relaxed? Why this matters: Babies learn best when their body feels safe and supported. If they’re wobbling, reaching, or tensing just to stay upright, they won’t have the motor or emotional energy to explore food. Good positioning creates physical and emotional readiness. Return to First Principles Go back to the beginning — not in terms of age, but in terms of what your baby can manage. That might mean reintroducing very soft purées, or thickened spoons, or food play without expectation to eat. Why this matters: Rebuilding trust means starting at a point of confidence — where your baby can engage, not resist. You’re not going backwards. You’re giving them space to reset and succeed. Create a Simple, Predictable Feeding Rhythm One of the most helpful shifts is to stop offering food “when there’s a window” and start building a gentle structure. This could mean: Morning milk feed Some awake time or play Then breakfast offer — with time, calm, and no pressure Repeat this gentle rhythm around each meal. Why this matters: Structure creates safety. It helps babies know what’s coming — and gives their body time to build appetite and emotional readiness between feeds. Explore Texture Without Pressure Touching. Squishing. Smelling. Smearing. These are all valid steps in building familiarity with food. If your baby resists eating, bring the focus back to exploring food in other ways. Why this matters: Sensory exploration builds trust. When babies are allowed to play with food, they start learning its properties. They begin to accept it — first with their hands, then with their mouth. Avoid Language That Adds Pressure You don’t need to say “just try a bit.” You don’t need to praise every bite. Instead, keep it calm. You might say: “It’s here if you want it.” “You’re having a look today.” Or just smile and serve the food without comment. Why this matters: Babies tune into your tone and body language. When there’s no pressure, they’re more likely to stay engaged — and explore at their own pace. If you want step-by-step weaning strategies — from first tastes to texture expansion — use your How to Wean Well programme alongside this path. It’s designed to support you through every stage, with real-life guidance you can actually follow.
What progress might look like
Progress in weaning delays often comes in small shifts that don’t look like “more food” — but are absolutely signs of readiness returning. Look for: Longer time in the highchair without fuss Tolerating food on the tray or hands Touching or poking food they used to avoid Accepting the spoon being near their face Exploring more with hands, even without eating Happier body language at mealtimes Increased interest in what others are eating These are powerful signs that trust is growing and skills are building — even if the quantity eaten hasn’t changed yet.
When to reach for more support
If feeding still feels fragile or confusing, it’s okay to ask for more help. You may want to seek individual support if: Your baby is over 8 months and still refusing most solids You’re seeing stress, gagging, or shutdown during meals Progress has stalled for several weeks without change You suspect oral-motor difficulties or sensory needs You’re worried about growth, weight, or nutritional intake You’re feeling stuck, unsure what your baby can actually manage Inside The Feeding Circle, you can bring questions to the Facebook group for real support — and if you need deeper input, members receive 10% off consultations and packages, with reserved member slots available monthly.
This isn’t about catching up.
It’s about moving forward in a way that fits your baby.
And you're already doing the work that makes that possible.