When can I give mash instead of puree?

[Fleecy]

DD will be six months next week and has only been eating solids for about ten days. She has happily eaten all the pureed fruit and veg we've given her, along with the odd bit of baby rice.

When I've made the baby rice up, I've made it quite thick but she's had no problems with it. She's also enjoyed steamed broccoli florets and mashed green beans off her high chair tray although I don't know how much she actually ate.

If she's doing okay on thick rice and the odd piece of finger food, surely it's okay to stop pureeing and give mashed up stuff instead? It's just that (don't laugh!) I read a couple of books that take you through weaning in stages and they don't introduce mash until about 7 mo which seems a long time to wait!

[DetentionGrrrl]

mash should be fine.

sweet potato, potato, and carrot and parsnip are good ones.

[feetheart]

Started DS on (very runny) mashed potato as IMO baby rice looks/tastes foul. Thickened it up quite quickly and within weeks was adding unmashed cooked rice from DD's tea (and that was probably well before 7 months).
Only snag that I can see is that at 16 mths he will eat 5 (yes 5!!!) roast potatoes given half a chance

Your baby will soon let you know if she's not happy with lumpier food!

[CanSleepWeirdShifts]

Mash is fine.

(and bin the book )

[divorcee]

you can mash soft food quite finely, banana and avocado mash to nice consistency.

I agree, bin the book

[Fleecy]

Thanks for all your advice. I shall indeed be binning my book and taking a bit more notice of my own common sense.

Loving the orange nappies - the smell!!!

But will be pleased not to puree any more. You're right, dd will let me know if she's not happy with the mash but she seems to be enjoying whatever we give her at the minute so I'll carry on and let her lead the way a bit more.