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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that ‘just feed them what you eat’ when weaning is much harder than it sounds unless you already make everything from scratch?

132 replies

AliceinSlumberland · 10/09/2023 21:20

I’ve got a 6 month old and we’re doing a bit of a mixed BLW/mushed up approach which is working for us, but I’m struggling with the ‘just feed them what you eat’ advice. I hate cooking, I should start by saying, so I have become a bit more reliant on easy to make meals, especially after a long day at work, but these just aren’t comparable with BLW. For example, I make a hotpot every so often but I use one of the packet mixes and I just feel overwhelmed about how to make it without that? Same with sausage casserole - but the baby can’t have these things as the packets have too much salt for him.

Sometimes I’ll make a pasta bake with a jar, and I do know how to make the sauce myself but it takes a lot longer. I feel like I’m having to rejig our entire menu and find new meals to have, so it’s not anywhere near as simple as ‘just feed them what you eat’ unless you’re already making everything from scratch?

Any simple hotpot recipes with less salt appreciated!

OP posts:
Original poster
AliceinSlumberland · 15/09/2023 19:58

I just wanted to come back and say thank you for the help and support. Today I made the dreaded hotpot 😂 and I just did some separately in his own dish with a low salt stick cube instead of the packet. Served with some steamed half to death green beans and brocolli, it went down an absolute treat and it was super easy to do while making ours. Also thanks for the prompt to use frozen chopped onion and frozen veg, it was super easy to make it all. I made tons and have frozen some for him to have when we’re having something unsuitable. Tomorrow we’re having sausage and mash so I’ll give him some of that instead of the sausage but he can still have the mash and veg.

We’ve also had scrambled egg this week and he’s loved sticks of courgette and melon. I’m going to do strips of omelette when we have omelette this week and perhaps I’ll even make some DIY pasta sauce! No stopping me now 😂

OP posts:
tt9 · 15/09/2023 22:23

you go OP! before you know it you will be putting nigella to shame! honestly, there is nothing to this cooking business except practice. even the best chefs have to start somewhere.

if you are making pasta sauce... remember to add a bit of the pasta water for added creaminess. tbh just fry some garlic and chilli flakes, add veg of choice.. herbs or choice saute, add pasta water, cook for a bit... and that's it you are done. can add some cooked prawns in at the end, some lemon juice/zest, fresh herbs.... or play around with cooked chicken/mince beef... whatever you have.

Fivethirtyeight · 15/09/2023 22:29

I just hate the way the meaning of “weaning” has changed from:

stopping breast feeding (hard)

to

giving solids (easy)

The popular saying “I’ve got to wean myself off this” used that word for a reason.

00100001 · 16/09/2023 07:28

FoodFann · 10/09/2023 21:43

Precisely why I’ve used Ella’s kitchen pouches. I cook fresh everyday for me and DH, but it is not suitable for babies and it is not organic.

Ella’s pouches have 10+ ingredients in each one, all organic, no rice flour, no oil, no salt, no added sugar. I worked out how much it would cost me to make some of the Ella’s meals I buy, it would be well over £5 per portion as it’s all organic, and there are loads of good ingredients. My DD is 9mo and has 4-5 pouches a day plus milk.

Also, I want to expose DD to as many flavours, and different plants as possible because it is very good for tummies and gut bacteria to have a greater variety of plants. She still gets finger food too, and knows exactly what to do with it.

Mmm delicious processed ambient food from a pouch.

Well, at least it's organic...

If this organic long life food in a pouch is so good, why aren't you having this kind of ready meal too? After all there's plenty of ambient adult meals you could have...

You've been sold a lie that this "food" is good for your child because of the O word. If you're cooking good food every day, why not just give her the actual fresh food?

00100001 · 16/09/2023 07:32

babyproblems · 11/09/2023 07:20

I’ve also never really understood this approach because seems to me they literally can’t eat many things until they have decent teeth. We eat a lot of salad - how on earth can a 18mo eat that?? Soups and mushy ok. But what about steak, salad, stir fry! My child can’t eat those things now even let alone at 6m! He only has 7 teeth!!

What do you think babies are 500 years ago?

Wasn't blended food from a pouch or a jar..

They ate actual food, like meat or veg or bread etc. If you've ever had a baby clamp down on your fingers, you'll know how very hard their gums are! They can eat firm foods, site they can't 'bite' into them, bit they can chew and crush and whatnot.

boomtickhouse · 16/09/2023 08:01

GingerLiberalFeminist · 11/09/2023 09:34

We give our LO (8m) bites of what we have (some carrot, a slice of lamb etc). But mostly we incorporate a jar of mush.
I wanted to blend up what we eat, but it's hassle and DH adds chilli and salt to everything (!), and it creates more washing up!
Her usual meals involve something like cucumber, melon, other soft finger foods, and a bowl of mush (usually packets).

Basically I let myself off the guilt. But I do worry what we feed her as she grows! Will I have to buy chicken nuggets and chips?!

Newsflash - parenting is hassle.

Your DH is a dickhead dad if he can't remember to remove a portion before adding his previous chilli

Washing an extra bowl and fork shouldn't be enough hassle to tip you over the edge.

waterrat · 16/09/2023 08:37

Welcome to a liftime of drudgery op!

This is the shittest part of parenting. Having to constantly think of what thr hell to feed your kids

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