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My daughter is 9 months old and is breastfed. We have been attempting to wean her with solids, she seems interested in food however when we give her food she either closes her mouth, pushes the spoon away or if we do get her to put some food in her mouth she chews and spits it out. We are also trying to get her to take a bottle of formula which she is refusing completely, we have tried giving her breast milk in a bottle but she still refuses that. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Our Experts Answer:  

It’s completely normal for babies to explore food without actually eating much at first – this is an important part of the weaning process. Letting your daughter play with and explore food using her hands is a great way for her to get comfortable with new textures, smells, and tastes.

You might also want to try offering a variety of textures – for example, finger foods like banana batons instead of mashed banana – as some babies prefer to pick up and feed themselves.

Since introducing solids and transitioning from breast to bottle are both big changes, it can help to focus on one at a time so she doesn’t feel overwhelmed. For the bottle, many parents find that MAM bottles work well for breastfed babies, as the teat shape is designed to be closer to the breast.

With patience and consistency, she will gradually learn to enjoy solids and, if needed, accept a bottle.

The Baby Academy offers lots of free training and parental support too: https://mybabyacademy.co.uk/  might be worth a look. 

My daughter is 9 months old and cannot self settle to sleep. I don't want to do the cry it out method, what tips do you have to help us with getting her to self settle rather than being rocked or fed to sleep?

Our Experts Answer:  

Self-soothing to sleep can be really tricky, and it often takes time and patience to establish. You mentioned that your little one currently needs to be rocked or fed to sleep. A helpful first step can be to put her down in her cot when she is almost asleep – drowsy but not fully asleep – and give her a few minutes to see if she can drift off on her own before stepping in to help. This gives her the chance to practice self-settling while still knowing you are there if she needs you.

Having a consistent, calm bedtime routine can also make a big difference. For example, you might try: a warm bath, a quiet story or cuddle, calming music or white noise, a soft nightlight.

Doing the same steps each evening helps her learn what to expect and can provide a sense of comfort and security.

It’s completely normal for babies to wriggle and move around at first as they adjust to a new routine. Consistency is really key here – over time, these small steps will help her build the skills she needs to self-settle.

Please don’t feel pressured to make lots of changes all at once. Introducing just one or two new strategies at a time can help things feel manageable for both you and your baby.

I have a question around potty training. I'm wanting to start my child  off, but he attends nursery 2 days a week. What advice can you give and also do you advise them staying off for the week? Thank you :) 

Our Experts Answer:

Potty training is a big milestone, and we’re here to support you and your child through it!

Before starting, it’s important to make sure your child is showing signs that they’re ready. Starting too early can cause stress, lead to children holding their wees/poos, and sometimes result in regression.

Signs your child might be ready for potty training:

• They are aware of their bowel movements and comment when they have done a wee or poo in their nappy.
• They show an interest in the potty or toilet.
• Their nappy stays dry for longer periods of time.
• They can follow simple instructions.
• They can pull down pants/trousers and sit on a potty independently.

Reading toilet-related stories in the lead-up can also help children feel prepared and positive about the process (let us know if you’d like book suggestions!).

When you’re ready to begin, we recommend starting on days when your child is at home, for example starting on a Friday if they don’t attend nursery, as this gives you the weekend and any other home days to establish a routine. There’s no need to keep them off nursery for a full week – we will happily support toilet training while they’re with us.

It’s completely normal for children to do really well at home but have more accidents at nursery, as home and nursery are two very different environments. Try not to worry if this happens – it’s all part of the learning process.

Top tips for success:

• Positive praise every time – high fives, claps, and encouragement are more effective than tangible rewards.
• Let them choose their own pants – this makes the process exciting and helps them feel involved.
• Pack plenty of spare clothes – accidents are part of learning, and this keeps your child comfortable.
• Consistency is key – if you use a reward system at home, make sure your child is praised for every attempt, not just success. (At nursery, we don’t use sticker charts as standard, but we will always offer encouragement and positive reinforcement.)

Finally, ERIC (the Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity) is an excellent support network with lots of helpful information and advice for parents. You can visit their website at www.eric.org.uk

Question:  

Our little boy has just turned 3 and struggles with big emotions. How do we help him control hitting and kicking urges? We've tried introducing different techniques like stomping feet etc but he's not interested and doesn't want to engage. Instead, he often finds the hitting/kicking funny. 

Our Experts Answer: What you’re describing is very normal for this age. At three years old, children are still learning how to recognise and manage their big emotions, and hitting or kicking can often be their way of expressing feelings they don’t yet have the words for.

Consistency is key at this stage. Gently remind your little one that hitting and kicking are unkind and help him find alternative ways to express his feelings, even if he isn’t interested straight away. In our Explorers room, we often encourage children to pause and take a few deep breaths before we talk about what happened — this gives them a moment to calm down and makes it easier for them to listen and learn.

You might also find it helpful to create a small “calm space” at home — a cosy corner with soft cushions or a favourite toy where he can go to settle his feelings. Over time, this gives him a consistent visual reminder of what it means to take a break and calm down, which you can then reference when you are out and about too.

Books can be a brilliant way to explore emotions together. The Colour Monster is a favourite with our Explorers, and Hands Are Not for Hitting is another great option for opening up conversations about kindness and safe bodies. You could also explore some of the ideas in the Play and Learn section on our website for fun, emotion-themed activities to try at home.

Finally, notice the way you respond in the moment — at this age, children are still testing boundaries and sometimes even find the reaction to their behaviour rewarding, whether it’s positive or negative. Calmly removing yourself or ending the play for a short time until he is safe with his body can help show that play continues when we are kind and gentle. When he is calm, revisit what happened and talk about better choices, so he can understand and practice self-regulation in a more relaxed state.

Big emotions take time to navigate, but with patience, consistency, and gentle reinforcement, he’ll gradually learn to manage them in a safer way.

Question: What strategies can be used to get a 3 year old who has never self settled or slept a full night in their own bed to do so?
 

Our Experts Answer: A calm and consistent bedtime routine can make all the difference. Try creating a soothing sequence such as bath, story, and bed, with soft lighting and perhaps gentle white noise or lullabies to create a relaxing environment. Talking positively about their own bed and room can also help — involving your child by letting them choose special bedding with a favourite character or animal can give them a sense of pride and ownership.

Consistency is key. Each time they get out of bed, calmly guide them back — it may feel tiring at first, but repetition will help them learn. If they wake in the night, you could sit nearby to reassure them, gradually reducing the time you stay in the room so they learn to settle independently.

Finally, consider a favourite toy or comforter that always stays in bed with them. This can provide comfort and familiarity as they adjust to sleeping through the night in their own space.