As I understand BLW then 18 weeks is a little young to start. LittleE has never slept through the night so I didn't have that as a marker anyway, but she certainly breast fed more frequently around 16 - 18 weeks so maybe thats when babies have a growth spurt?? We have taken the plunge this week and started BLW properly - she is 25 weeks. Anyway - she loves pear slices, and is v keen on rice cakes and hummus (I wasn't planning on hummus being one of her first foods, but my husband thought it would be funny to see what she thougth of it, and she loved it!!). She seems to know exactly what to do with food (ie chew it not choke on it) but I am not sure she would have done much earlier than this. Anyway good luck with it - and remember you are the expert on your baby!! Alison xx