Hints and tips for weaning (merged)

JBD

tandraig wrote: »

Agree with you - but I have learned to listen to what is said then go on - my own research, my own experience, what my mum said, and the reactions of my own baby.

I just meant to point out that the latest gov research or current medical thinking isnt always right!

sometimes you just have to go with gut feeling! oh and the earth was round theory was ridiculed by the establishment for hundreds of years!

Quite agree here. Besides all babies are different, they all develop at different rates, so why wouldn't their digestive systems? My oldest son was a big strong baby who was walking by 9 months. He would have chewed his own hands off if he was still just on milk at 6 months old.

frugalfreda

I am 2 weeks into properly weaning my 6 month old baby but having some problems so would appreciate any opinions or guidance.

I started her off on baby porridge in the morning when she was 5 months old (initially tried baby rice but she wouldn't take it). She loves the baby porridge and takes a fair amount and then has 3-5 oz of milk.

Just before Christmas, started to try her on veg and fruit purees by following the Annabel Karmel baby and toddler meal planner book. However, I haven't got past the first tastes in the book as she doesn't seem to like most of the fruit and veg purees. She likes banana mushed up with milk and will just tolerate pear and apple but when I tried carrot, sweet potato or butternut squash she just gagged or refused them (by blowing it out lol!).

I have been a bit naughty though and have fed her at the mother-in-laws using jar food (for convenience and to save face) and she loved them (carrot & potato and sweet vegetable medley). Gave her home made carrot and potato today but she gagged and then brought up her milk (she was too hungry not to give her the milk first).

As she devoured the jars, I think it is either the taste or the texture of the home made food that I am giving her that it is the problem.

I know I am only 2 weeks in and I need to give it some time but I feel a bit of a failure already. I don't know whether to just try some more flavours by combining two or three foods or perhaps mushing up or pureeing up what we have bar sugar/salt etc.
Have also heard about baby led weaning but worried about her choking.

Did anyone else have similar issues when they started weaning their little one?

Many thanks in advance

McKneff

When you give her your own mushed up veg, dont give her it all mushed up together, keep it seperate and you will find out wihch one she doesnt like. She may indeed like them all but it might just taste nasty (to her) when they are all together.

Dont rush her too much, it seems as if you are if you have tried all that in just two weeks, just take it slowly and enjoy.

McKneff

Have also heard about baby led weaning but worried about her choking.

Have a look at the Baby Led Weaning Website, this explains exactly why babies wont choke. My grandaughter was brought up totally on this since she was 6 months and is a healthy 3 year old. Mind, it is hard work and you have to persevere, but like i say, its worth having a look at.

kate1979

My son was very similar. He loved baby rice, but when we tried him with carrots he refused. Next day, I tried mixing a small amount of carrot with baby rice and he loved it! I upped the ratio of carrot to rice every day and within a few days he was eating carrot by itself, and now at almost 10 months he is an excellent eater who'll try anything! Maybe give that a go, or mix it with the porridge? (I know, sounds yuk but you'd be surprised!). Hope it goes well xx

RoxieW

I did baby led weaning with 2 out of my 3 children - currently doing it with my baby - and i've encountered no problems, If anything I find it much easier and far less fiddly. the only downside is clearing up the mess 3 times a day! i'd recommend it whole heartedly.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Steam a carrot in its skin. Peel it when it's cooked (it's sweeter that way). Let it cool. Hand baby half of it. Watch it go all over everywhere. Repeat with second carrot half.

Clean up. A tiny part of it may have got into the baby, instead of just over it.

Give bits like this whilst you are sorting out the rest of the easy food.

Clean up.

Try broccoli.

Clean up some more.

Baby eventually gets hang of tastes and textures. No expensive books with fancy posh birds implying perfect children eat olive tapenade rather than cheesy wotsits when they are 2 years old.

Realise that this is apparently an all new childcare revolution and people haven't been doing it for years before posh bird made her gazillions.

squashy

Another big fan of BLW here, Eleanor is 27 months now and everyone always comments on what a brilliant eater she is, never needs any help and eats nearly everything. Contrasted with my other two children who were spoon fed mush and unfortunately are extremely fussy. Might be a co-incidence but i feel that eating is such a pleasure for E that it wouldnt occur to her to be fussy, she finishes when she is full and we never need to bribe or cajole.

Just another thought, it could be that she isn't really ready? 6 months is a guideline and it may often be 7 months or so before they are ready, same as they don't all crawl at 10 months and walk at 12 months on the dot. Milk should be her main source of nutrition (breast or formula) until she is around one year old.

snapping_crocodile

As some one else has said try separating the flavours out intially. Many babies reject new flavours, particularly savoury tastes as they have an inborn sweet tooth!! Keep trying every fews days to give her the food she has been rejecting, and you may find that she will take to it eventually. And as you said just mremeber it is still early days

daska

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Steam a carrot in its skin. Peel it when it's cooked (it's sweeter that way). Let it cool. Hand baby half of it. Watch it go all over everywhere. Repeat with second carrot half.

Clean up. A tiny part of it may have got into the baby, instead of just over it.

Give bits like this whilst you are sorting out the rest of the easy food.

Clean up.

Try broccoli.

Clean up some more.

Baby eventually gets hang of tastes and textures. No expensive books with fancy posh birds implying perfect children eat olive tapenade rather than cheesy wotsits when they are 2 years old.

Realise that this is apparently an all new childcare revolution and people haven't been doing it for years before posh bird made her gazillions.

:rotfl:

Having done both I'd plump for BLW over the 'traditional' method every time. I found it easier, simpler and more successful.