Do I have to follow a plan?!

[Muse84]

Ok have only just started with EBF 5.5 month old. He seems ready...

Without going into specifics, am I doing totally the wrong thing by just "winging it" for now? By that I mean sticking to approved foods for his age (fresh fruit and veg only), and preparing them in a safe manner, but trying whatever I feel like and in whatever capacity each day? I am trying both purées and finger foods. In my mind, it's about the experience, and familiarising him with the concept of food at the moment. So for example, once a day I'll try a purée (he doesn't yet take food willingly iff the spoon so it's mainly him licking his hands), then maybe if I'm sitting eating at the table later, I'll give him some banana to hold and suck under supervision. I'm just sending foods his way, trying to be casual about it all..

I'll try to lean towards non sweet veggies but won't be militant about it.

This is my "method"....rather than following the day by day plans you see in almost every book. I'm ignoring them, so as to not get too wound up by the many, many different methods. I imagine our mums did the same?! I mean, surely it's just a saturated market (like sleep books) cause there's such a conscientious, information hungry audience? Do we NEED such hand holding? I'm in no way demeaning anyone that follows a plan, I just know I'm more relaxed if I don't.

Is this ok for now, or is a set meal plan better in the very early stages of introduction??

[MollyDaydream]

It's fine, makes no difference either way.

[RatRolyPoly]

I'm winging it too, although it is my second baby so winging it is pretty much the default this time around

It'll be fine. I just think with everything I make or eat, "maybe the baby would like this, maybe I'll save her some, maybe I'll give her some to play with" and somehow she's eating three good meals a day. As long as you keep offering food and taking a common sense approach to what they can manage I don't see the point in a plan.

[TroubledLichen]

What you’re doing sounds perfect! Just keep in mind that the rough idea is to eventually get him on 3 meals a day but for now what you’re doing is exactly right. There’s no one way to do things and books are often aimed at parents who like to feel reassured from following a specific plan.

[chocolatesun]

Definitely don't need a plan. Sounds like you're doing a fantastic job.

[mummabubs]

My son is also 5.5 months old, we've just started weaning and my "plan" looks exactly like yours OP! I figure like you it's more about him exploring food and having freedom to take it at whatever pace he wants at the moment! 😊

[Oly5]

But you need to make sure he’s getting enough iron from 6 months etc. And protein. If you’re clued up on nutrition then of course you don’t need a plan.
But they are useful for ensuring a balanced diet for anyone who is unsure

[TwittleBee]

I started weaning DS by letting him eat when we eat so he could see we were enjoying it too. We didn't have a plan, just served up what we were having (as long as it was suitable, i.e. no salt, no honey etc) of their nutrients from I wasn't too bothered and just took a relaxed and let him join in under no pressure. If he was asleep during a meal time he would just miss that one. As milk is still where they get most approach. I think food needs to be seen as something relaxed and fun not regimented and forced (imo).

Just make sure your DS is having the Vit D supplements (as per NHS guidelines for EBF babies) if you are worried about ensuring he gets the recommended stuff.

[Muse84]

Thanks everyone! I feel reassured. I know everything may change but we'll go with this for now!

Just to say he's on daily vit d and I'll make sure I'm conscious of iron intake

[QueenAravisOfArchenland]

There are plans in books for what to offer each day?! Bugger that for a game of soldiers.

I just put bits of whatever foods I was having/we had around in front of him.

[QueenAravisOfArchenland]

But you need to make sure he’s getting enough iron from 6 months etc. And protein.

You usually don't actually. No need to worry about protein, babies are still getting all their important nutrients apart from iron from milk. Formula fed babies will also be getting sufficient iron. Babies that continue to be breastfed can give vitamin drops with iron if you want to cover all the basics, but all you need to do is offer foods that fit with a normal balanced diet, with the very minimal adaptions for a baby (low salt, no honey).

[DappledThings]

I never knew there were plans available!

[wintertravel1980]

No need to worry about protein, babies are still getting all their important nutrients apart from iron from milk.

It is not entirely true. Babies are still getting most of their calories from milk but as they get older they start relying on solids more and more for a wide range of nutrients (including but not limited to iron).

According to WHO (page 22):
www.who.int/nutrition/publications/guiding_principles_compfeeding_breastfed.pdf

At 9-11 months of age, for example, the proportion of the Recommended Nutrient Intake that needs to be supplied by complementary foods is 97% for iron, 86% for zinc, 81% for phosphorus, 76% for magnesium, 73% for sodium and 72% for calcium (Dewey, 2001).

Specifically on iron - one of recent studies in Australia (which is not too dissimilar from the UK when it comes to weaning practices) has shown that 32% of infants and 18% of toddlers are not getting sufficient iron intake. I personally think the reason is the "food before one..." mantra going too far. Of course, there is no need to come up with elaborate meal plans but I feel it is useful to remember that "food before one..." slogan has zero scientific backing.