can someone remind me how to do weaning!!!

[chicagomum]

stupid question but i did it 3 years ago and can't remember. (recently moved to usa and left baby books in uk)

1. how long should you leave it between going from one to two to three meals
   
2. when do you introduce lumpier food
   
3. when do you introduce finger foods
   
4. when do you introduce meat and eggs
   
   thanks in advaqnce

[chicagomum]

can't anyone help?

[fishfinger]

1. whenever you can be arsed

2. bit by bit
3 when they ca hold it - about 6 monts
4. at 6 months but I did it whenever i likes.
chill it will all come back!

[fishfinger]

I was the same cm - foudn it all baffling frot he third time
jsut start replacing say breakfast bottle - with food

I keep lunch till the last meal so I cna go out

[chicagomum]

but he's 6months now does that mean i can just skip ahead and do it all at once?

[NotQuiteCockney]

If you wait until 6 months before weaning, you can just give table scraps. Search the archives for "weaning" and you'll see lots of people struggling with feeding, and trying lots of different things.

I've just been doing table scraps, and it's been working well.

[fishfinger]

yes and start off wuite lumpy then if hell have tteth etvc
I thnk at 6 months I was giving fork mashed sheprds pie kind of thing
we ate a lot of casseroles at that time - all in tgether

[NotQuiteCockney]

I think it's wise to pay a bit of attention the first few times you give each significant allergen (milk, eggs, wheat, seafood, nuts). But I've now given all of those, and DS just eats what I'm having, as long as it's not very spicy, sugary or salty.

Certainly you can skip purees, and just give scraps. At six months, often they can cope with bits of bread or whatever.

[franke]

You still have to do it gradually but your baby will set the pace. Seriously - just start introducing stuff and then go by your baby's reaction.

[fishfinger]

I htink we are being really annoyingly vague!!

[franke]

Yes, but it is very vague isn't it. I couldn't remember a thing second time around but it all just sorted itself out somehow - let the baby take the lead, that's what I say (absolving myself and my nappy brain of all responsibility).

[fishfinger]

still sniggering at the hun gag

[franke]

I wasn't joking, hun

[mandyc66]

I started weening ds4 at 6 months moved on to 3 meals at his pace but was on 3 bfore 7 months!!!!
Introduced lumpy food around 7 months
tried finger foods..just keep trying he is 9 months and likes a bread stick!! and a bit of toast!!!

[sazhig]

1. how long should you leave it between going from one to two to three meals?

We went very slowly - started with supper at 7 months, then lunch & supper at 9 months and then added breaskfast at 10 months (although he has now, at 11 months, started not eating breaskfast again so am not offering much anymore). This has meant his milk intake has not been reduced too quickly (it being where most of his nutrition until 1 year)

2. when do you introduce lumpier food
n/a for us see below!

3. when do you introduce finger foods
We started with finger foods straight away as he started solid food at 7 months. Puress are not needed if you start after 6 months.

4. when do you introduce meat and eggs
We have been following this as Harry has eczema and there is a history of allergies (hayfever, eczema, asthma) in both our families.

[mandyc66]

everyone is saying most of the nutrients are in breast milk up till one! The iron in the milk drops after 6months.If baby is getting a good diet on solids then dropping a breast feed is not soooo bad. Ds4 has a feed first thing and one to go to bed! He eats lots of different foods and I mix his cereal with formula! Not saying I am right,but try not to be too hung up,relax and let baby take the lead on this one!!

[sazhig]

Sorry mandy I have to correct you on the iron issue. Iron does not start disappearing from breastmilk after 6 months. This is a myth, mainly due to fact that babies own iron stores start to deplete around 6 months and perpetuated by the marketing of follow-on milk and baby rice (which are both fortified with iron). There is no evidence that I am aware of that says that iron levels in breastmilk drop after 6 months. I would be very surpirsed if it did. The human race would not have fared very well if that were the case!

Breastmilk does contain less iron than formula, but it is much better absorbed.

You might find this useful.

[chicagomum]

thanks for that link sanzig, it was very interesting and partic. useful for my older dd who has just been diagnosed by the paediatrician as being anaemic, (unfortunately she won't eat meat, but otherwise has a healthy diet) so the list of iron rich foods etc is v. useful (as i'm reluctant to give supplements)

[chicagomum]

that should read "thanks sazhig" - apologies for getting your name wrong

[sazhig]

Chicagomum - no problem - my favourites list is huge on my pc as I tend to keep any links that look vaguely useful, just in case (must be hoarder in me!) Remembered I had these as well which you may also find these useful for ideas for iron-rich foods your older DD -

Vegetarian Society

Vegan Society

Not to worry about the name - saz will do just just fine!

[mandyc66]

I stand corrected...although it was my hv who told me there had being trials and that is why it is recommended to start to wean around 6 months! I have weaned all mine succesfully...the eldest is 14 and the youngest 8 months and none of them seem to be difficient in anything..all fit healthy kids!!!!
And as I said follow babe..he knows!!!
Also remember you all managed first time without having anything to remember so you will do it this time too!!!!

[chicagomum]

i agree about the managing to do it second time around its just that first time round you don't know where as second time round you feel you're supposed to know what your doing and i was racking my brains trying to remember when i introduced meat etc (did anyone elses memory deteriorate during there first preg and never return!!) i think also i feel a little bit out of my depth in a forgein country with no hv etc

[mandyc66]

A little brain seems to go each time...thats why after 5 I seem to talk a loud of rubbish...according to this site anyway!!!!