Weaning Week – What Ireland AM, Newstalk, and RTE 2FM Taught Me About the Neurodevelopmental Secrets of Starting Solids

Weaning Week is always a busy one in my calendar – and this year was no exception.

I had the privilege of talking about weaning across national media, answering the questions that thousands of Irish parents are asking right now:

• On Newstalk's Kids Clinic, we dug into the science of starting solids – why some babies take to it effortlessly and others really struggle.

• On RTE 2FM with Doireann Garrihy, we kept it fun, practical, and real – because weaning is messy, and parents need permission to laugh through the chaos.

But here is what I did not have time to say on air:

Weaning is not just about food. It is about neurodevelopment.

The way a baby chews, swallows, gags, turns their head, reaches for a spoon, sits at a table, or tolerates a new texture – all of this is controlled by the nervous system, the primitive reflexes, and the vestibular system.

When weaning goes smoothly, it is often because those foundational systems are working well together. When weaning is a battle – gagging, refusing, arching, vomiting – those struggles can be early red flags for retained reflexes, sensory processing difficulties, or future developmental delay.

Let me explain.

The Primitive Reflexes That Control Weaning

Before a baby can eat solids successfully, several primitive reflexes need to be integrated (active but under control) or inhibited (no longer present). When these reflexes are retained (still fully active past their expected age), weaning becomes difficult – sometimes impossible without specialist support.

Reflex Role in Weaning When It Is Integrated (Good) When It Is Retained (Problem)
Rooting reflex Turns baby's head toward touch on the cheek – helps find the breast or bottle 3–4 months. Baby should now turn voluntarily, not reflexively Baby's head turns involuntarily toward the spoon, making it hard to aim; baby may seem "confused" about where the food is
Sucking reflex Automatic suckling when something touches the palate 4–6 months. Should transition to voluntary, graded sucking Baby sucks too hard or too weakly; cannot modulate pressure; gagging or choking risk
Gag reflex Protects airway by triggering gag when something touches the back of the tongue Moves back gradually from front to back of tongue over first year Gag reflex is still very anterior (near the front). Baby gags on purees, let alone lumps
Bite reflex Baby bites down when gums or teeth are stimulated 6–9 months. Should fade as voluntary chewing develops Baby bites the spoon hard; cannot open jaw to release; mealtimes become battles
Tongue thrust reflex Pushes tongue forward to protect airway – essential for breastfeeding 4–6 months. Should inhibit to allow spoon feeding Baby pushes food out of their mouth constantly; parents think "he doesn't like it" – but it is a reflex, not preference

Key point: A baby with multiple retained reflexes will not "grow out of" weaning difficulties by being offered more purees or different spoons. The problem is not the food. The problem is the nervous system.

The Vestibular System: The Hidden Player in Weaning

Most parents have never heard of the vestibular system – but it is one of the most important sensory systems for feeding.

The vestibular system is located in the inner ear. It detects movement, gravity, and head position.

How does this affect weaning?

Vestibular Function What It Does for Eating
Head stability Keeps the head upright and steady while food moves toward the mouth
Eye-mouth coordination Allows baby to watch the spoon move from bowl to mouth without losing tracking
Postural control Enables baby to sit upright in a high chair without slumping or tipping
Sitting tolerance Allows baby to stay calm and regulated for the duration of a meal

When the vestibular system is under-active or poorly integrated:

• Baby slumps or falls sideways in the high chair

• Baby arches back or stiffens when food approaches

• Baby cannot track the spoon visually – food ends up on the chin or nose

• Baby becomes overwhelmed or distressed within minutes of sitting down

When the vestibular system is over-responsive:

• Baby startles at the movement of the spoon

• Baby gags or vomits when the chair is moved or tilted

• Baby refuses the high chair entirely

When to suspect vestibular involvement: If your baby cannot sit comfortably in a high chair, arches away from food, or seems "uncoordinated" during meals – even though they are hungry – the vestibular system may be part of the picture.

Red Flags in Weaning: When to Worry (and What It Might Mean Later)

Most parents are told: "All babies are different. They will get there."

And that is true – but not always.

Some weaning struggles are early signs of retained reflexes, sensory processing disorder, or future developmental delay. Knowing the red flags means you can act early – not wait and worry.

Red Flag in Weaning What It Looks Like Possible Underlying Cause Possible Later Diagnosis
Persistent tongue thrust past 6–7 months Food constantly pushed out; looks like baby is "spitting" everything out Retained tongue thrust reflex Oral motor delay; feeding disorder; possible dyspraxia
Gagging on purees (not just lumps) Gags on stage 1 smooth purees; vomits frequently during meals Anterior gag reflex (retained); sensory over-responsivity Sensory processing disorder; possible autism
Arching back at the sight of the spoon Baby stiffens, arches, cries when spoon approaches – even before food is in mouth Moro reflex retention; tactile defensiveness; vestibular sensitivity Anxiety; sensory avoidance; possible autism
Cannot sit unsupported in high chair by 7–8 months Slumps, falls sideways, needs extensive propping TLR retention; low muscle tone; vestibular under-responsivity Developmental coordination disorder (DCD); possible global developmental delay
Bites spoon hard – will not let go Bites down and parent cannot remove spoon; baby seems "stuck" Retained bite reflex Oral motor difficulties; possible autism or dyspraxia
Refuses all textured foods past 10–12 months Eats only smooth purees; gags or vomits at lumps Sensory over-responsivity (texture aversion); retained gag reflex Sensory processing disorder; avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
Turns head away consistently – not just "not hungry" Turns head to the same side every time; cannot bring spoon to midline ATNR retention (asymmetric tonic neck reflex) Future difficulties with crossing midline, handwriting, reading, bilateral coordination
Cries inconsolably at mealtimes – not just fussy Screams, panics, cannot be calmed; mealtimes are traumatic Sensory overload; retained Moro (startle) reflex; possible pain (reflux) Anxiety disorder; sensory processing disorder; possible autism
No interest in food whatsoever past 8–9 months Shows zero curiosity; does not reach, grab, or mouth food Low oral sensory registration; global low tone Developmental delay; possible failure to thrive

What to do if you see these red flags:

Do not wait until the 12-month check-up. Seek a neurodevelopmental assessment or a paediatric feeding therapy evaluation. Early intervention for retained reflexes or sensory difficulties can transform weaning – and prevent years of mealtime battles.

The Sensory Side of Weaning: Beyond Taste

Sensory processing difficulties are one of the most common – and most missed – causes of weaning struggles.

Sensory System Role in Weaning Signs of Difficulty
Tactile (touch) Detects texture, temperature, and touch inside the mouth Gags at textures; refuses food that is wet, lumpy, or sticky; will only eat smooth or crunchy
Olfactory (smell) Detects odours before food reaches the mouth Gags or turns away at the smell of cooking; refuses to sit at the table
Visual Detects appearance, colour, presentation Refuses food of certain colours (e.g., all green foods); panics at mixed foods
Auditory Detects sounds of chewing, swallowing, kitchen noise Covers ears at sounds of blender, mixer, or family eating
Proprioception Sense of jaw position and bite pressure Bites too hard (breaks spoon) or too softly (food falls off); difficulty chewing
Vestibular Head stability, sitting balance, visual tracking Slumps in chair; arches back; cannot track spoon; becomes overwhelmed within minutes

Key insight from clinical practice: A baby who gags at pureed carrots is not "being difficult." Their nervous system is telling them: "This texture is not safe." That is a real neurological response – not manipulation.

Traditional Purée vs. Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) vs. Combined Approach

This is the question I am asked most often – on Newstalk, on RTE 2FM, and in every parent consultation.

Approach What It Is Best For Potential Challenges
Traditional puree Smooth, spoon-fed purees, gradually increasing texture over months Babies with low tone, oral motor delay, or strong gag reflex; helps build strength before moving to lumps Can delay development of chewing and self-feeding if continued too long; some babies refuse to ever accept lumps
Baby-led weaning (BLW) Soft finger foods from 6 months; baby self-feeds; no purees Babies with good head control, sitting balance, and interest in food; supports oral motor development and family meals Higher gagging risk (normal but scary); not suitable for babies with significant oral motor delay or poor sitting balance
Combined approach Purees AND finger foods; spoon-fed AND self-fed Most babies. Flexible, low-pressure, developmentally sound None – this is what I recommend to almost all parents

My professional view (from years on the couch and in the clinic):

The combined approach is nearly always best.

• Start with smooth purees (2–4 weeks) to build oral motor strength and reduce the gag reflex

• Introduce soft finger foods (steamed veg, soft fruit, toast strips) alongside purees from 6–7 months

• Follow your baby's lead – not a rigid philosophy

• If your baby gags, pause, let them work it out, and offer the same food again another day

The one exception: Babies with significant oral motor delay, low tone, or retained gag reflex may need a longer period of purees – and specialist feeding therapy – before moving to lumps or finger foods.

What the research says: There is no evidence that BLW is superior to purees for long-term eating behaviour or growth. The most important factors are:

• Responsive feeding (watching baby's cues)

• Low pressure (no forcing, no coercion)

• Exposure (repeated, neutral exposure to a wide range of foods)

What Not to Do When Weaning (Please Read This)

Don't Why Not
Don't force the spoon into baby's mouth Creates learned aversion. Baby learns: "Mealtime = feeling trapped."
Don't distract baby with screens to get them to eat Teaches baby to ignore hunger/fullness cues. Creates long-term dysregulated eating.
Don't compare your baby to another baby Babies develop at different rates. Comparison only creates anxiety.
Don't stop offering a food after one rejection Babies may need 10–15 exposures before accepting a new food.
Don't move to lumpy textures if baby is still gagging on smooth purees Work on the reflex or sensory issue first. Moving to lumps will not solve the problem.
Don't make mealtimes a battle Once food becomes a fight, you have lost. Step back. Seek help if needed.
Don't ignore your gut If you think something is wrong – if weaning feels too hard – get an assessment. Early help changes everything.

Top 5 Tips for Successful Weaning (Neurodevelopmentally Informed)

1. Check the chair before the food.

Your baby cannot eat well if they are not stable. Ensure:

• Feet are supported (not dangling)

• Hips and knees are at 90 degrees

• Baby is upright, not slumped

• Tray is at armpit height, not chin height

2. Watch the reflexes, not just the food.

If your baby consistently gags, arches, bites, or pushes food out – the problem may be a retained reflex, not the food itself. A neurodevelopmental assessment can identify which reflexes are interfering.

3. Follow the 10-15 exposure rule.

Do not assume rejection is permanent. Offer the same food again and again – neutral, low pressure. Most babies need 10–15 exposures before accepting a new texture or taste.

4. Use the "two-spoon trick" for the tongue thrust.

Hold one spoon for baby to bite and play with. Use the second spoon to actually feed. This satisfies the bite reflex while allowing you to get food in.

5. Get low-threshold help.

If you are seeing red flags – persistent gagging, arching, texture refusal, poor sitting balance – do not wait. Seek a neurodevelopmental assessment or feeding therapy evaluation. The earlier you address retained reflexes or sensory difficulties, the easier weaning becomes.

What I Wish Every Parent Knew (From Newstalk, RTE 2FM, and 20 Years of Practice)

Weaning is not a test of your parenting.

It is not a competition. It is not a reflection of how much you love your baby.

Weaning is a neurodevelopmental event. It requires the integration of primitive reflexes, the function of the vestibular system, the maturity of sensory processing, and the development of oral motor skills – none of which you can control.

If weaning is easy, enjoy it. Be grateful.

If weaning is hard, it is not your fault. It is information. It is telling you that something in your baby's nervous system needs support.

And that is exactly what I am here for – whether you heard me on Doireann Garrihy's show on RTE 2FM, on Newstalk's Kids Clinic, or you are reading this blog right now.

Next Steps

If weaning is a battle – or if you recognise any of the red flags above – a neurodevelopmental assessment can identify whether retained reflexes or sensory difficulties are getting in the way.

📞 Contact CogniClinic: [Phone number]
✉️ Email: hello@cogniclinic.ie
📍 Sligo, Ireland – serving the Northwest

You are not failing. Weaning is just more complicated than anyone tells you. Let's figure it out together.