Hints and tips for weaning (merged)

patchwork_cat

Agree with tandraig in that my 2 got what we had mostly, again younger than seems the fashion these days, but only really tastes until 6 months old or so. Then as my 2 are stroppy and want to do everything themselves we inadvertently did baby led weaning. - only we called it finger food!

Basically though don't push it or get uptight that is when feeding problems start. You soon learn what they enjoy -why don't you taste a jar and then taste yours (I guarantee you'll gip at the jar!) how are they different?

Try mixed weaning as if you did baby led weaning with mashed potato for example, not much would make it into your babies mouth! and some tastes can really only come on a spoon - she'll soon have the spoon off you and then you'll really know what mess is!!!

Lotus-eater

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Steam a carrot in its skin. Peel it when it's cooked (it's sweeter that way).

We are told to peel our carrots because they are sprayed with lots of chemicals and some of those leach into and stay in the skins.

I should think if you cook them in water, then whatever is in the skins may leach into the water and ... I don't really know what will happen, but with very young kids, I just thought I might bring it up.

Of course if you've grown them yourself, you won't have that problem hopefully.

Indie_Kid

Would it make a difference if you gave your baby different branded porridge? IE, one day you gave her Morrisons own brand, and then another you gave her something like oatsosimple?

Krystaltips

space_rider wrote: »

Krystal, don't know how old your baby is but becareful of the salt in foods like moussaka.

tiamai_d wrote: »

If it's home made there won't be any salt in it, unless you put it in.

^^ What she said

Krystaltips

skintchick wrote: »

Kellymom is a respected source of info I think?

sorry to hijack thread OP!

It is a very respected source of information, but also there is new research coming out all the time... That particular piece was written in 2001... (Note there's also an article about foremilk and hindmilk too and it's been acknowledged that this is not true and milk changes throughout a feed)

Evansangel

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

Hopefully I'll have memorised enough before I have to return it to the library!

Do you have a scanner at home? You could scan the pages

Or sometimes librarys let you photocopy stuff

xxvickixx

Ohh I learned something I didn't know about breastfeeding - thanks Skint and Krystal x

Just to add to the thread, I know that it is popular to wean before 6 months, but the reason that it is not recommended (without getting too technical) is that the gut is not fully formed until then, it will have small holes which allow allergens and bacteria to pass through to the bloodstream, this exposure can lead to allergies, excema, asthma and other gastrointestinal issues. Breastmilk is fine as it is sterile, formula is not sterile but is much better than introducing a whole range of foods that can trigger health problems.

Secondly, babies under 6 months should avoid gluten, so this includes bread, pasta and flour so maybe wait a while before starting on these foods.

Vicki x

tandraig

Can I just reassure those new mums who want to start weaning before the recommended age, but whose babies obviously need more than a bottle or are showing interest in food?

I weaned my kids when i felt they needed it! the earliest was DS1 at just three months (tho to be honest they all had had a 'taste' of food before that).
they are now - 33, 29 and 27 and apart from my youngest (dairy intolerance), they have no problems with food, not obese, have diabetes, anorexic or anything else!
I have had quite a few posts on here about baby food so searching tandraigs previous posts will say what i have neither time or room on here to say!
good luck OP and use common sense and maybe grandmas advice too. you wont go far wrong!

Secret1234

Hi, i have breastfed my daughter pretty much exclusively since she was born. She has always refused the bottle of both expressed milk and formula and will only have water/juice from a cup. I have managed to get her down to one feed a day, which is in the morning and i really want her to be off the breast by 12 months (on Thursday!!) I have loved feeding her but now it is very tying as i am back at work and the morning feed leaves me little time to get us all ready! As soon as i go to collect her she is practically ripping at my top crying for it! How can i get her to stop? Any help would be great!!! xx

fernliebee

I BF DD until she was 19 months and she self weaned, we cut down to morning and night, then she stopped asking for night time, then eventually stopped asking for morning. If you are wanting to get her off breast milk then could you shake up your routine in the morning so she is distracted ie instead of taking her and giving her milk, you could take her straight down make her up some breakfast (maybe something like porridge or ready brek, or cereal so she is eating her milk allowance rather than giving it in bottle etc) then just keep really busy. If she is out of the habit of having it other times in the day anyway chances are she won't ask for it in the evening anyway. You may be surprised at how easily she gives it up, I was thinking we would have a struggle with DD but she just never asked again, and then would just point at BB's and say baby milk, not big girls