When babies start to eat solid foods at around six months, their kidneys, gut, gag reflex and immune system are strong enough to cope with food. However, babies’ bodies are still not fully mature, so there are key safety concerns, which should be considered during the introduction of solids, commonly known as weaning.

According to a survey done by Mini First Aid, over 60% of parents fear their child choking. (2) This is a common concern during the introduction to solids. Some parents delay the introduction of textured foods due to these concerns, which can lead to other problems, so is not advised.

Choking is defined by St John’s Ambulance as: when a person’s ‘airway is partly or completely blocked, meaning they may be unable to breathe properly’. (3) As a baby is developing their gag reflex and learning to chew, the risk of choking is higher. Parents need to be aware of this risk and learn what to do if faced with a baby choking, whether that is through watching a free first aid video online or attending a full first aid course.

A common myth around weaning is that baby-led weaning (a form of weaning where whole foods rather than mashed or pureed foods are given) has a higher risk of choking than traditional weaning or spoon-feeding, however a systematic review found there was no increased risk of choking in baby-led weaning. (4) The shape and texture of the food is important though. Food should be soft and cut long and thin.

For example, carrots should be cut into batons rather than rounds and cooked until soft. Cherry tomatoes, sausages and grapes should all be cut long and thin. Whole nuts should be avoided and ground nuts or 100% nut butters used. Other hard foods such as popcorn or chocolate Easter eggs should be avoided until children are competent chewers. The NHS Start for Life Website shows pictures of appropriately cut food. (5) Care should also be taken to remove bones, stones and pips from baby’s food.

Fish bones have already been mentioned as a choking risk but fish also needs to be considered due to the potential for the overconsumption of heavy metals and pollutants. Fish introduction should be encouraged in weaning, with the NHS recommending two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily.

It is overconsumption that is the issue here. Girls should not have more than two portions, and boys should have no more than four portions of oily fish a week. Shark, swordfish and marlin should be avoided up to the age of 16 due to mercury levels.(6) Whilst there is no set limit on tuna for children, unlike for pregnant women, due to the mercury levels, having a range of proteins rather than tuna daily is advised.

There is a lot to be said about the introduction of allergens in weaning and about allergies generally, which cannot be covered here. However, from a safety perspective, it is important that parents know what they are giving their children and know the symptoms of an allergy. In rare cases, allergic reactions can be fatal, so allergy education is an essential topic for discussion around safety.

If an allergy is diagnosed, safe weaning will also include checking food labels for allergens, preparing food safely and informing other caregivers of the allergy. Further advice around allergies can be found on the BSACI and Allergy UK websites. (7,8)

Food should be served to baby at a suitable temperature. Testing the food on the back of the care givers hand or with a thermometer is better than testing a mouthful by touching it to the lips.

Baby’s seating position is an important safety consideration from a few different angles.

1. Baby needs to be kept upright rather than reclining like they would in a baby car seat; this helps to reduce the risk of choking.

2. Baby should be in a seat to eat, or on a care givers lap to ensure they stay still and upright during feeding, again to reduce the choking risk.

3. Seating needs to allow the care giver to get baby out of the seat quickly should they choke.

4. A good seat also has a good harness (ideally five-point) to prevent baby from getting out of the chair and accessing things which are unsafe around the kitchen.

5. Baby should never be left unattended whilst eating or in a highchair.

There are many options on the market for safe crockery and cutlery for babies. In the early stages of weaning, spoons rather than knives and forks are advised as they are less sharp for baby. As they grow, child safe knives and forks are advised. These forks are more rounded and knives are blunter and more rounded.

When it comes to crockery, where parents use bamboo plates, they should be plastic free due to possible formaldehyde and melamine leaks into the food from bamboo which is mixed with plastic. (9)

Crockery which can break easily should be avoided for safety reasons. Plastic crockery should not be put in the microwave. Whilst there is no need to sterilise all crockery and cutlery, the NHS advises continuing to sterilise all feeding equipment (bottles and teats) until baby is at least 12 months old.(10)

Babies are getting their first teeth around the time they start solid foods. It is important that a good tooth brushing routine using a soft brush is started when first foods are introduced. Using a free flow cup or open cup is best for good tooth and jaw development. (11) Where baby food pouches are used, the content should be served on a spoon rather than a child sucking out the contents. And pouches should be used only in the early stages of weaning – if needed.

A recent BBC Panorama investigation on baby food pouches highlighted a growing trend in using baby food pouches which contain pureed food not only in the early stages of introducing solids, but also throughout the toddler years. These foods are very similar in texture (due to the pouch nozzle), and are, amongst other things, often high in sugar and low in iron. However, care should be taken when discussing issues around commercial baby food that parents don't feel pressured, and that issues around convenience are recognised.

1. Weaning Centre (2024) Foods babies should avoid. Accessed on 8th May 2025 at https://weaningcentre.co.uk/the-place-to-learn-about-weaning-on-a-shoestring/foods-babies-should-avoid/

2. Mini First Aid (2025) Choking is a major concern for parents. Accessed on 8th May 2025 at https://www.minifirstaid.co.uk/blog/choking-is-a-major-concern-for-parents

3. St John’s Ambulance (2025) Choking Child. Accessed on 8th May 2025 at:  https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/choking/child-choking/ Clinically reviewed by Dr Lynn Thomas, MStJ, BSc, MBBS, MA, FRCP. Page last reviewed: 28 April 2025

4. 'Auria E, Bergamini M, Staiano A, et al. (2018) Baby-led weaning: what a systematic review of the literature adds on. Ital J Pediatr. 2018;44(1):49. Published 2018 May 3. doi:10.1186/s13052-018-0487-8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5934812/

5. NHS Start for Life (2025) Preparing food safely. Accessed on 8th May 2025 at https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/weaning/safe-weaning/preparing-food-safely/

6. NHS (2022) Fish and Shellfish. Page last reviewed: 14 November 2022. Accessed on 8th May 2025 at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/fish-and-shellfish-nutrition/

7. BSACI (2018) Preventing food allergy in your baby: A summary for parents. https://www.bsaci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/pdf_Infant-feeding-and-allergy-prevention-PARENTS-FINAL-booklet.pdf

8. Allergy UK (2025) https://www.allergyuk.org/

9. Food Standards Agency (2024) What are bamboo plastic composites and why they shouldn’t be used for food or drink. Author: Allan Shivembe, Senior Food Policy Adviser - Food Contacts Materials, Posted on: 30 July 2024. https://food.blog.gov.uk/2024/07/30/what-are-bamboo-plastic-composites-and-why-they-shouldnt-be-used-for-food-or-drink/

10. NHS (2023) Sterilising baby bottles. Page last reviewed: 24 February 2023. Accessed on 8th May 2025 at: https://www.nhs.uk/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/sterilising-baby-bottles/

11. Maria-Despina Karadimitriou, Nikoleta Kagioglou, Angeliki Sofia Trimeridou, Vasiliki Boka. (2025) Feeding practices and Jaw Development: A Comprehensive Literature Review of Their Interconnected Dynamics. Dental Research and Oral Health. 8 (2025): 27-37. https://cdn.fortunejournals.com/articles/feeding-practices-and-jaw-development-a-comprehensive-literature-review-of-their-interconnected-dynamics.pdf