conflicting advice in such a tizz over weaning

[franksidebottom]

Hi mn, 2 health visitors have given me conflicting advice. One said I shouldn't use packet/jar mixes to give the baby, one said it's fine in moderation, and I was told to throw away my blender and mash everything up now. I was also told to reduce the baby's milk intake (almost 6 months old) but I think she's too young to reduce her milk, the baby is mu youngest of three but my middle child is 8 so it's like starting again, in such a flap over it all. Also I have made a few ice cube trays of purees so I would like to use them

[blackkat1978]

I didn't do traditional weaning so am not a puree expert but from being on other forums & friends & family when your child reaches 6 months the purees can be mashed rather than the Completely smooth purees given to younger babies. & as for jars obviously home made is better but everything in moderation. What works for you as a family.
As for dropping milk feeds I would take your cues from your baby, if they seem ready to drop the feeds & eat more solid food then go with that.

[Rockchick1984]

I've always viewed the jars and pouches like ready meals - fine some of the time but not a healthy choice all the time. I purée fruit to mix with natural yogurt (kids yogurts are usually packed with sugar) but other than that just fork mashed or finger foods are fine.

[dementedpixie]

Considering that you aren't supposed to start until 6 months, why would they recommend cutting milk when your lo hasn't even reached that age....crazy!

A mix of pureed, mashed and finger foods would be appropriate for that age. Use your baby as a guide as to when milk feeds reduce e.g. They start taking less at a particular feed so you reduce the amount in that feed, etc

[RiverTam]

Yep, I pureed fruit for yoghurt and everything else was mashed. Used the Ella's pouches when I was out and about at lunchtime. Don't think you need to reduce milk yet.

[teacupnic]

I think you work to your insticts OP. If you think she's too young to reduce her milk intake, then don't reduce at the moment. It's unlikely she'll be eating vast quantities of food at first and you can always reduce milk once you see how weaning is going.

I didn't use purees either but I don't see why you can't give your daughter the ones you've made, maybe try some mashed food too and finger food also. You'll soon get the idea of what she needs and how it's going.

I would keep jars etc to a minimum personally, as I didn't feel those were right for my child (concerned about additives, etc.) However, no harm done if that's a quick and easy option for you at times.

[winchester1]

I've done a bit of everything - purees, mashed, jars, own food, finger foods (now called blw) and all seemed fine sometimes they want pureed on a spoon other times they want a price of toast. I just go with what I have in and stops them screaming.

With milk I take their cues under 1,yr, dc1 would still drink 6 bottles a day at two, dc2 has been all about real food since 5 months.

So id just say go with what the baby wants and you find easy. Your not about to give them a line of salt and turkey twisllers, it will be fine.

[Artandco]

You can use purees, it's just that because weaning age is now 6 months compared to
3-4 months historically, it means babies are older and more able to just eat things mashed or whole. So you don't need to purée

[pookamoo]

There's so much information out there these days!

I think the reason the HV gave different advice is because it's ok for you to choose.

As the recommended age is 6 months, like artandco says, weaning babies can cope better with more "solid" food than when the age was younger.

As for reducing milk feeds, this is where "Baby Led Weaning" comes in. The link is to a very useful website that explains how BLW is more than just "giving them finger foods".

It is about following their lead by giving them food that they can handle according to their developmental stage. That's why it is called baby led. If you follow BLW, your baby will naturally drop her milk feeds of her own accord. Presumably she will do the same if you give her puree or mash although I am not so familiar with those.

Milk is supposed to be the main source of nutrition until they are 1 year old, anyway, so personally I wouldn't drop the feeds just yet.

Good luck, enjoy the big mess however you decide to introduce solids. :)

[Oly5]

I loved purees! My baby loved them too and I managed to get loads of combinations of nutritious food into them. At six months I did purees for around three weeks, then mashed to around nine months, less mashed and so on. I also offered finger food alongside, so banana or toast or things like that. I found Annabel Karmel's baby and toddler planner book brilliant!! It was so easy to follow. Both my children are brilliant eaters and I credit her. I know people have success with other methods but that worked for me.
And what's wrong with a few pouches when out and about? Fine in my book!

[franksidebottom]

Sorry, not explained myself properly as had just seen the hv and was all worked up. When I say jars and packets I don't mean baby food jars or pouches as I make the food myself, I mean if I make spaghetti bolognaise I would use a jar of ragu for example, one hv said that's fine, the other said no. Thankyou for all your replies I have calmed down now. I will continue to use the purees for now as I have made them and I don't want to waste them, I make in bulk so have about two weeks worth left and then I will try mashed. I did try mashed banana which my dd didn't seem to like but will try again. I'm not happy about reducing her milk I think she's too small yet but I'm sure she will naturally drop a feed herself. I will also start finger food when she reaches 6 months (in five days). I thought I was doing right by starting her on purees and then slowly moving to mashed at about 7 months I felt a right wally!

[dementedpixie]

You need to look at the salt content of the jars you use and then decide how much of it your lo will eat and whether the salt would be sufficiently low enough as they shouldnt have added salt at that age

[RiverTam]

Oh, I wouldn't use those jars, they're terrifically salty. And expensive! Just make your own spag Bol with passata and some mixed herbs if you like.

[nephrofox]

Dolmio type jars are full of salt and additives. Definitely avoid those. Jars of baby food are fine on moderation.

It sounds like you need a cook book - Annabel karmel or ellas kitchen both have good ones with a range of ideas in. You don't have to puree until super smooth, but you will soon work out what texture your baby can cope with and just work with them. My aim was always to be eating family meals by the age of 10 months - 1 year with no special prep needed (mashing or puree) but that's a gradual process over 6 months or so.

[nephrofox]

Don't reduce her milk - she needs it much more than a bit of carrot!

[winchester1]

Eating alone at 10months - mine barely understands she had hands, she must punch herself in the head 10 times a day.

[Oxfordblue]

I really recommend Gina Fords baby weaning book. She recommends from 4mth, I just followed it from 6mths.

Was a complete revelation for my BF baby - I still use her recipes now, DDs are 12 & 9 !

They are both very good eaters too, which I feel is down to the guidance & recipes.

[blackkat1978]

I always ate really badly & didn't know how to cook. As I choose to do BLW my children have only ever eaten the same meals as me so I used weaning as an opportunity to learn to cook. I still use the odd jar of sauce but passata & herbs (as mentioned above) is a great base for a lot of Meals.
Have fun on your weaning journey

[franksidebottom]

Yes I think the ragu will need to go. I remember buying passata a few years ago, must have done that for my middle child but then somewhere along the line resorted back to the jars of sauce, will definitely review my cooking. I have an annabel karmel book my hv told me to get rid of it as it's outdated!

[Oly5]

It's not outdated if it works! What a silly HV. I think A Karmel is brilliant. Anyway, yes avoid jars of sauces, far too much salt for a baby (and toddlers for that matter). Good luck

[franksidebottom]

Yes I like annabel karmel I was a bit by that response. Ok can I ask another question. What size do I make the finger food should I give the full size pasta shape or cut it in small pieces? How small the pieces of banana, toast etc. Thanks again

[Oxfordblue]

I still use Annabel Karmel !

I would just make her recipes for proper meals & match with a bit of water left from cooking veg. They'll be enough jaw & chewing practise with that & its really good to hand them eating proper meals.

[CornishYarg]

Don't cut finger food too small as it will be much harder/impossible to pick up. About the size of your finger is ideal.

[CornishYarg]

So yeah, a piece of normal pasta like penne or a spiral is a perfect size.

[Artandco]

For a banana I would give 1/2 a banana in one piece so they have space to hold it and knaw on it

[winchester1]

1/4,of toast works well here