Skip to main content

Made For Mums

  • Join
  • Log in
Search Account Navigation Menu
  • Chat
  • Getting Pregnant
  • Pregnancy
  • Baby
  • Toddler
  • School & Family
  • Reviews & Shopping
  • MFM Awards 2018

Find us on

  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

When and how to stop pureeing

  • Weaning & baby recipes
  • Baby
0

Fed up with running every meal through the blender? Read on for our tips on weaning your baby off purees

Introducing chopped finger foods can help your baby move on from purees

There’s no set point at which your baby should make the transition from runny purees to solid foods. The stage at which he becomes ready for chunkier textures depends on many factors, from his physical development to his sensitivity to texture. But as a guide, it’s wise to try to gradually alter the consistency of his foods from seven months onwards, and aim to have stopped pureeing completely by 12 months.

Is your baby ready for solids?

Signs that your baby may be ready to move on from purees include:

  • Being able to sit up independently, with good head control
  • Starting to put objects in his mouth, and explore them with his tongue and gums
  • Having some teeth – although this isn’t essential
  • Taking puree from a spoon and swallowing them with minimal gagging or spitting
  • Showing an interest in the foods at family meals

Babies may be ready for lumpier foods at any point from weaning until 12 months or even beyond. Some don’t show any obvious signs of needing to move on from purees; if this is the case, introducing more textured foods is likely to be a matter of trial and error.  Here's what to do if your baby refuses lumps.

How to stop pureeing

When you think your baby is ready for more solid textures, try the following tactics:

  • Thicken your baby’s purees by blending them for a shorter amount of time, or adding another ingredient such as thoroughly mashed potato or thick baby rice
  • Use a food mill rather than a blender to prepare foods, giving a slightly thicker texture
  • Divide a portion of food into two parts. Puree one half, grate or mill the other half, and mix them together
  • Grate some food and mix it into a smooth puree or yoghurt – you could try grating apple and combining it with yoghurt
  • Offer some solid finger food, such as well cooked carrots or chunks of banana, alongside a pureed meal or as a snack

Getting used to lumps

It’s normal for babies to take some time to adjust to more solid foods. It’s important to persevere, but don’t rush it. Make mealtimes fun and reassuring, with lots of praise when he attempts a new texture, keeping calm if he refuses. Remember, it can take up to 20 trials before a baby accepts a new food or texture.

It’s also quite common for babies to gag as they get used to non-pureed food. This can be frightening for you, but is actually your baby’s way of stopping himself from choking by pushing the food out of his throat.  Here are a few tips to help him learn to chew.

Next steps

Once your baby is used to eating lumpier food, you can move on to mashing it, and then to chopping it finely. Bear in mind that some textures are harder for your baby than others – for example, he may be happily taking most of his foods mashed by 10 months old, but you might still need to puree meat for him, particularly if he hasn’t got any teeth yet.


If your baby is reluctant to accept any textured food, or if he seems to be gagging excessively, ask your health visitor for advice – but remember that with patience, most feeding problems resolve themselves in time.

Lucy Dimbylow By Lucy Dimbylow
0 Comments Share
Like this article?
Showing of

Uh-oh! You need to be logged in to do this...

Sign In Sign Up
  • Load more posts
  • Write a comment

News & Gossip

  • 2018's celebrity babies - who gave birth this year?
  • What is toe tourniquet - or hair tourniquet - and how can you prevent it?
  • Kate Middleton gives birth to her 3rd child - a baby boy!
  • Food-inspired baby names that are trending right now

Popular in Competitions

  • Win a Molly’s Magic Wardrobe book bundle and fairy costume, worth £50
    Closing date: 04/05/2018
    Enter Now View All Competitions
  • WIN the chance to test and keep a Zinc Flyte Midi scooter, worth £70
    Closing date: 30/04/2018
    Enter Now View All Competitions

Popular in Product Reviews & Shopping

  • Bugaboo Fox
    in 3-wheelers & ATPs
  • Cybex Mios
    in Pushchairs

Latest on Made For Mums

  • Community
  • Getting Pregnant
  • Pregnancy
  • Baby
  • Toddler & Child
  • Product Reviews & Shopping
  • Competitions
  • News & Gossip

Follow MadeForMums

Newsletter
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube

Help & Info

  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Code of conduct
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookie policy
  • Complaints

Quick Links

  • Chat
  • Getting Pregnant
  • Pregnancy
  • Baby
  • Toddler
  • School & Family
  • Reviews & Shopping
  • News & Gossip
  • Competitions

Also Visit

  • You & Your Wedding
  • Junior
  • Immediate Media Co
  • Other Immediate Media Co Sites
    • Radio Times
    • Gardners' World
    • OutdoorsMagic
    • Visordown
    • Golfmagic
Immediate Media Co © Immediate Media Company Limited
This website is owned and published by Immediate Media Company Limited. www.immediatemedia.co.uk
Version 2018.2.83.0

We use cookies to improve your experience of our website. Read more.

Got it