when to start weaning ?

[Kerrie34]

hi was wondering when everyone started introducing food to there lo & what did you start with?

Hello.

I started with Dd when she was exactly 6 months. I think she had a spoon of carrot.

I then gave her boiled broccoli and baby corn.

It was very slow going for us but I did find that she would eat pretty much anything as long as it was spread on an organix rice cake.

Try different things and try not to worry too much. Give things a few times before deciding that baby doesn't like them.

Should have said that the broccoli and corn were whole.

She refused anything off a spoon for a very long time. I found the tommee tippee very soft ones worked fantastically though.

I seen on baby food pouches & boxes from 4 months but most people suggest 6 months slightly confused x

Baby led weaning at 6mths with our 4th dc

others we did the mush. If we ever had a 5th we would do blw.

Of course blw isn't a money making industry so baby food manufacturers still push 4mths when research shows 6mths is best.

Get a copy of Gill rapley book from library..... And a bit dose of patience. Its So worth it though!

DS was weaned at about 18 weeks because he was ready to eat solids (mashed veggies, Weetabix rather than jars and baby rice), though current advice is to wait until around 6 months. His favourites were carrot, banana, porridge, mango and butternut squash.

I don't really understand why weaning is seen as so difficult. It's trial and error - like so much in parenting! - but I see it like potty training: it's very messy and won't be perfect straight away, but when LO is ready it's much more likely to go smoothly.

4 months
Was going to wait but she was trying to grab at food and fascinated by eating.
Hardly got any in her belly for the first few months. She just had bits of my food when it was suitable. Toast crusts, salt free corn cakes, figs, sweet potato, avacdos, egg etc .. First couple of months were more about getting used to the idea of food than actually eating. Lots of squishing smearing and tasting rather than eating!

Did baby led weaning with all 3 of mine. They were all around 5 1/2 months old and showing all the signs of being ready. (Loss of tongue thrust reflex, sitting up unaided, could get food to their mouths without help.

They all started on vegetables (either boiled or roasted). Sweet potato was a big hit, as was broccoli. After a couple of weeks of fruit and veg they moved on to whatever we were having.

Official advice is to wait to 6 months but that's not always right for every baby.

Of course the baby food manufacturers will say 'four months' cos then they will sell more of their products and make more money! I think most people these days would agree that 4 months would be too early for most babies.

I started DS1 on mushed up vegetables and fruit at 5mo cos he was crying and grabbing for food when I was eating, and he could sit up well in a high chair. I tried to wait as long as I could but by 5mo it was clear he 'wanted' it.

At 6 months I then introduced other sorts of food (chicken, red meat, bread etc). Now at 10mo he eats pretty much what we eat for dinner every night, reheated for his lunch the next day. And then he has sandwiches, tomatos,fruit etc for his tea in the evening.

If you don't get any signs of them wanting it, then wait until 6 months! And you can always phone/visit your Health Visitor and ask for advice more specific to your baby if you're not sure on the signs. Hope that helps!

5 1/2 months for DD. No pouches, jars or a

thanks ladies will watch for signs lo is only 11 weeks. please note I won't b feeding jars(no offensive to those who do each to there own) just noticed it said 4 months +. the starter foods are really helpful

I started my son just after 4 months because I seemed to be in a massive rush to get him to do everything. Eat, crawl, walk, talk. Now I wish we'd just taken our time. Early weaning will just make more hard work for you. They don't 'need' food at 4 months. Wait until you see the signs and go for it. I will probably use more of a blw technique this time with a spoon as well and wait later, much later x

Around 6 months is safest, but never before 17 weeks.

NHS guidance is 6mo. The jars say from 4mo+ because there's no law against it but it's irresponsible marketing.

We just did baby-led weaning and shared our meals (obviously nothing salty).

There is a weaning talk board under "feed the world" elsewhere on mumsnet.