I’m scared to start weaning my baby

[Ellarose23]

She’s 5 and a half months so starting in 2 weeks .
I plan on asking my health visitor for first aid training for choking but I originally wanted to just start her on the purées and work up to finger foods . But seeing on social media about a baby who choked and died on MASH POTATOES?!!! Now I’m scared to give her anything .. she gets Ella’s kitchen purée just the wee fruit/veg ones once a day (couple of spoonfuls advised by hv) so is mash potatoes a choking hazard too ? I know any food can be but wouldn’t have thought mashed food as a high risk ! Yes I’m in therapy for my anxiety before anyone says but did anyone else feel this way and what are your tips ? From one very anxious first time mum

im weaning soon too

basically its all about texture, so mash can be really smooth and runny or very hard and stodgy - which is a choking risk.

i found this ladies videos really helpful

if you mash foods yourself you get to know the right texture

It’s more dangerous to delay giving proper solids.

at the moment, baby has a high gag reflex.

as they grow, the gag reflex moves down the throat- increasing the risk of taking on too much food and choking.

you want them to learn to handle food whilst the gag reflex is high

i get you are anxious- its really counterproductive, and not really ideal for their future palate to just give them fruit mush

I personally didn’t feel this way- but I read up lots on it pre-wearing (solid starts) so it just felt like the normal and safest thing to do.

paediatric first aid courses are widely available if you want to go on one

So would you recommend maybe just starting finger foods or maybe a mix of purée / finger food ?

thank you for this !

Follow solid starts on instagram OP. They have loads of great information, I've found them really helpful. They also have a huge food database telling you how to prepare different foods safely depending on age. You can just google 'solid starts sweet potato' etc.

I had to wean both of mine early - they were formula fed and both refused to drink much milk from 4 months (and didn't really drink much before then either) and then HV and GP we're concerned as they lost weight. Went to a weaning session held by local authority and was sent on my way!

Anyway. I did a mixture of puree, pouches (for ease!) and just giving them finger foods and it was honestly fine. No choking happened. Softish carrot batons were a hit, bit of boiled broccoli, fingers of pitta bread and some hummus, banana. I didn't follow a book or anything but it wasn't stressful and I just gave what I thought they'd like to taste.

I think I was so stressed about babies losing weight and refusing milk that I was keen to get them to just eat anything! I became very good at learning which foods I could secretly hide a few oz of milk in too!

I second the advice for solid starts and would suggest you Google and book on first aid course asap rather than wait for HV (or call them if money is an issue)

Finger foods that dissolve can be a starting place if you are scared like the baby puff crisps but long term you want your baby eating family food flavours not ultra processed bought purees which are very sweet. I work with children with feeding problems and it is really difficult to wean off the pouches later on.

I was nervous about weaning my first. I think it's a natural worry.

Yes the first aid is a good idea, will help you feel more confident.

My only advice is go with the method you feel comfortable with, try not to feel pressured to go with a method that doesn't make you comfortable.

It will be fine.

It’s normal to worry about weaning. I think every parent does to an extent. Personally I find baby led weaning great because my son only picks up and eats what he wants and can handle, and I don’t have to worry about spooning too much into his mouth. He’s been eating this way for 3 months and has never choked. He has gagged a few times but this is normal and actually helpful as it’s teaching them how to eat and move food around in their mouth. That being said, traditional weaning (starting with purées) is absolutely fine too. It’s just a preference so do whichever one you feel most comfortable with.

'Choking' is a normal part of weaning. It's them learning different textures etc. Gag reflex is high so if they're coughing and spluttering its coming up. It's the proper, silent choking that's dangerous and incredibly rare. You can do infant first aid courses and there are products available like this https://www.lifevac.uk/. But you should educate yourself on choking and whats actually dangerous as you really don't want to use something unnecessarily.