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Behaviour/development

weaning advice

9 replies

red333 · 03/05/2016 22:10

Hi, I'm really after some good advice. My baby boy is 6 and a half months old and I've tried weaning him for a few weeks but he just isn't interested.
He clamps his mouth shut when I try to feed him. If I do manage to get a tiny spoonful of food in his mouth he either spits it out or he gags.
I spoke to my hv and she said to leave him for a week and give plenty of finger food. He just wasn't interested in any of it.
Have any of you wise mums got any advice please?

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ChocolateHelps · 03/05/2016 22:48

A very reassuring book is 'my child won't eat' by Dr Carlos Gonzalez. Very reassuring that some babies are just not ready at 6 months and not to ever force a baby or child to eat.
The baby led weaning book by GB HV Gill Rapley is also very good and reassuring. Baby grows to twice their birth weight in first 5 months or so and will never grow as fast again in their whole life on just milk. Baby is getting all they need from the milk. Keep offering healthy finger food and eventually, when baby is ready, they will grab the food. Some babies are not happy until they grab a handful of mums chilli!!

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red333 · 03/05/2016 22:49

Thanks chocolate I'll have a look into those books.

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MrsJamin · 03/05/2016 22:55

Does he seem interested in anything you're eating? Did baby led weaning (just normal food eaten with fingers) with my two sons and it was brilliant. Just chill out, eat together, keep up with milk.

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red333 · 03/05/2016 23:03

He does watch us as we eat and will lick his lips and such but the minute I try to feed him he turns his head and shuts his mouth.

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MrsJamin · 04/05/2016 20:20

Just let him feed himself, it's still very early days. Milk is the main source of nutrition and energy. Food is to learn about tastes, textures, how to swallow, how to pick things up, etc. He'll watch you eat spaghetti and then trust to be able to put it in his mouth, although not in quite the same way!

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MrsJamin · 04/05/2016 20:21

Have read of this if you're interested www.babyledweaning.com/some-tips-to-get-you-started/

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Vinorosso74 · 04/05/2016 22:10

I would let him try himself. It's early days so he might not eat much, it's all new. Yes look at BLW website and Gill Rapley book. It's messy but worth it. Also, when you eat have him sat on your lap and if he wants to grab some food to try, let him. If you do that avoid wearing your best clothes though!

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MargaretCabbage · 04/05/2016 22:14

I went by the mantra "food is fun until they're one". Your baby will still be getting most of his nutrition from milk at this point so don't worry about that.

We never intended to do BLW but it turned out to be easier. I just offered different finger foods, sometimes they'd just be thrown around but my DS was much happier feeding himself.

He will start eating eventually, it won't be long till he's interested.