Weaning advice please!!!

[Rose138]

Hi everyone,

I've read books by annabel karmel but I think I've now in my mind over complicated weaning!

I have a blender and some pots with lids-freeze able. Do I need anything else?

What am I best to start with?

Any advice would be great please as this is my first baby and I have no one to ask. I don't want to do the wrong thing. My son also has excema so I think you have to be more aware of possible dairy allergy? Thank you! Xxx

Hi

How old is your baby and are they showing the signs of being ready to wean (able to situp and get objects to their mouth and tounge thrust has gone)?

There are different ways of weaning but personally i started with mashed vegetables made qith formula and built up flavours by mixing types of veg and adding herbs. I then started to also give soft or stewed friits and semolina. I also gave finger foods at each meal. I tried to give what we were eating at each meal but also made ice cube trays of diff veg, fruit, mash, rice and mixed these for his meal if ours wasnt suitable (eg too salty).

Thank you for your quick reply! That's all really helpful, thank you! Ice cube trays is a great idea!

My son is 5 and a half months. Yes sitting up on his own, objects to his mouth, tries to grab what we eat, doesn't seem satisfied with milk anymore.xxx

Rose have you checked out the MN weaning Info and the weaning talk? They're both very good. Have a Google of "nhs starting solids" too as these are the latest guidelines

Important thing is to keep it all relaxed. It should all be about tastes and textures and fun. Maybe give both BLW (ie finger foods) a try as well as spoon feeding to see which works best for you both. If you're comfortable then baby will be too. I did a mix of the 2. I also found it useful to have a bit of a 'plan' in my mind so I had something to work to. I introduced only breakfast for first 2 weeks (Aptamil porrige great as lovely and creamy), add mashed bananas sometimes, dried apricots (chopped and softened in boiling water first) etc. Then for the next 2 weeks it was breakfast AND lunch. Then finally onto dinner as well. Also used the ice cubes and found these v useful. Let your LO lead you and don't be afraid to try different things, just whatever you are comfortable with. It is daunting and I remember only too well but I promise you will find your feet as I'm sure you have with every other 'first'. Weaning is a big deal but a really enjoyable time. Xx

Thank you all so much! Xxx