Starting Solids and Weaning
The transition to complementary foods is part of the same continuum as infant feeding. Tools that support this transition help babies build oral motor skills, develop communication around food, and learn self-feeding. Most families do not need a lot of equipment to start solids. A few well-chosen items go further than a full feeding-system purchase.
Books
Baby-Led Weaning, Tenth Anniversary Edition
The foundational book on baby-led weaning by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett. Practical, evidence-grounded, and parent-readable. A good first read for families considering the approach.
Simple & Safe Baby-Led Weaning
A more recent guide with emphasis on portion sizes, allergen introduction, and safety. Practical complement to the foundational Rapley book.
Cups and straws
Open cups, straw cups, and weighted-straw cups all support the transition away from bottles. Straws specifically support oral motor development in a way bottles do not. The items below are designed for therapy and special-needs feeding but work well for typically developing babies too.
Honey Bear Straw Cup For Babies (3-Pack)
A squeezable cup with an attached straw, originally designed for therapy and assistive feeding. Useful for teaching straw drinking around 6 to 9 months by gently squeezing liquid up the straw to introduce the mechanic.
Honey Bear Straw Cups (Single)
The single-cup version of the Honey Bear staw cup. Useful for families who want one to start without committing to a three-pack.
Weaning support
Earth Mama No More Milk Tea
A tea formulated with sage and parsley, used to support milk reduction during intentional weaning. Listed here for clients who are weaning or supporting a closer family member through weaning. Not for use when milk supply is the goal.
Full disclosure
We participate in the Amazon Associates program. As an Amazon Associate, bayoucitybf-20 earns from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links on this page. This commercial relationship does not influence whether or how we recommend a product. Recommendations are based on what we see in your assessment, what we use clinically, and what is grounded in evidence and clinical experience.