I think I'm doing weaning wrong

[kangaroojoey]

My LO is 6 months old and have been weaning for a month. I think I'm doing it wrong because at most I'll give 2 purées a day and sometimes I don't give any at all. I don't seem to have any routine going it's just dependent on what I'm doing during the day. I don't bother with food when we're out and about (not at parents houses) because she can't yet sit unaided so she will just flop in a high chair a bit, needs it slightly reclined.

Am I doing it all wrong, should I be giving structured "meal" times? Family keep asking me if she's on 3 meals a day and I feel terrible guilt I'm so behind

There comes a time when your baby will need 3 meals a day and will let you know. You won't have the flexibility any more. Don't worry about it.

Also I should add that from a baby led weaning perspective, the fact that your baby can't sit upright yet suggests she is not ready for solids. You could wait a few more weeks until she can

Firstly, ignore your family. There’s no rush t be on 3 meals a day. In fact the current advice from the NHS is to build upto 3 meals between 8 and 9 months taking the lead from baby.

If baby is a bit floppy, is she meeting the signs of readiness:

1. They can stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady.
2. They can co-ordinate their eyes, hands and mouth so they can look at the food, pick it up and put it in their mouth, all by themselves.
3. They can swallow food. Babies who are not ready will push their food back out with their tongue, so they get more round their face than they do in their mouths.

Some signs that can be mistaken for a baby being ready for solid foods: chewing fists waking in the night when they have previously slept through wanting extra milk feeds.

It’s totally ok to offer foods once twice or not at all at this age. Just do what suits you

Nothing wrong with not having a routine, although I'd echo the PPs concerns about whether she's actually showing signs of readiness (although perhaps these don't apply if you're using purees, I have no idea). She shouldn't be reclined when she's eating though, she should be upright to minimise risk of choking.

Spam the signs of readiness apply for anything other than milk

My 8.5 month old is still on 2 meals and only managing about half a jar per meal. I’ll up it to three meals in the next few weeks. We had a very slow start as he just wasn’t bothered (he still isn’t too fussed now). My daughter didn’t really start properly eating until she was 1.

My 6 month old just gets bits stuck in front of him when I remember when his big brother is eating. So some days bits over 3 meals some days just the odd mouthful.

I don't think it matters at this age. Most calories etc still come from milk.

Should have said when his brother is eating something suitable. Obviously I feed my toddler the appropriate number of meals

I found that weaning felt like I was doing it wrong until DS was about ten or eleven months old. Then I suddenly realised it was done, he was weaned, he was on three meals a day, and actually it hadn't been as big a deal as it had seemed at the time!

Next time I'll try to relax about it, take it slowly and even try to have fun with it instead of stressing. They all get there eventually

Don’t stress about it! If you do want a bit more routine, annabel karmel does a good weaning plan that gives straightforward guidance.

What you're doing sounds absolutely fine! I didn't have a routine. I don't think you need it and your baby will soon let you know when they want more food.