FTM, weaning!

[New2020]

Hi All,

I'm a FTM and like many have been through pregnancy, birth and now the challenges of weaning...during a pandemic so there's very little support out there

I feel really clueless about weaning and prep/equipment to get.

Could you share your top purchases, tips an d any resources or books that you thought were good to help guide me through it all?

Hi, Congratulations on your little one! I too have a 6 month old and trying to wean! We have a highchair, body bibs, plastic bowls and spoons. We have started our DD on puree foods and are now increasing the thickness before giving finger food! I registered with Ella's kitchen who sent some things out in the post for free. Hope this helps! I'm sure someone will come along a lot more knowledgeable than me! 🤞

Remember that your child is an individual, so you can do what works for you and them- you don't have to follow a rigid set of 'rules'. As long as what you are giving is suitable (no salt, not chokable pieces etc) then just have fun trying different things!
In terms of best buys- a big stack of reusable wipes like cheeky wipes will get used for years. I also had a silicon freezer tray that still gets used years later for freezing individual portions of pasta sauce, something like this- www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/d9201.html

Congratulations on your baby!

I would recommend the Tommy Tippee blender, for mixing and mashing down anything really.

Try not to worry too much.

I first found it difficult to fit in 'meals' as such alongside milk feeds. Try one meal a day initially then build up over a few weeks. Annabel Karmel books are also good.

Try baby porridge, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, fruit puree, homemade or ready made, mashed banana is good with Greek full fat yoghurt.

Some babies like to be spoon fed, others like to pick little things up, although initially baby may prefer to be spoon fed. My second didn't initially take to the spoon so I just used to put some mashed up food on my finger and he would lick it off.

Try pureed veg and potatoes then you can add in mince meat and chicken etc.

Good luck you will soon find your own way with it and baby will let you know what he/she likes!

This publication, recommended by GOs and health visitors should answer all your questions.

www.firststepsnutrition.org/s/Eating_well_the_first_year_June_20_for_web.pdf

*GPs

I love SR Nutrition on Instagram. She's the nutritionist who worked on Wean in 15 and she's currently weaning her own baby so has lots of videos, and a ton of great articles on her blog. srnutrition.co.uk

I like Joe Wicks book ' wean in 15' got some nice recipes ( I haven't tried many mind as haven't got time bit ironic) but it gives you some ideas. Buy a load of flannels to use and reuse/wash instead of wasting wipes. Bamboo bamboo suction bowls and plates are brilliant. Tommee tippee mini blender is very handy. As is freezer tray which someone else mentioned ( off Amazon think it's NUK) silicon bibs are very easy to wash. As well as couple "overall" ones. My 8 month old is very stubborn and has never let me spoon feed so I just do finger foods at the moment . I started off with soft cooked veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potato as well as the same veggie mashed but then moved onto toast with peanut butter, cucumber sticks, satsuma, banana, breadsticks hummus etc. We are more limited though as he has dairy and soya allergies! My baby is weaning incredibly slowly and still barely eats anything now so be aware they don't all take to it in a few weeks! Until they are 1 milk is all they need nutritionally so think of weaning as a fun extra! Whatever you do don't force them go at the baby's pace they will have a better relationship with food if you do and give them choice. Good luck!

Other than something like a BiBADO I wouldn't worry too much about any equipment, an ordinary teaspoon is fine for weaning if your little one will accept a spoon.

There is a great NHS website. You can either do blw or puree with finger foods on the side. No honey before 1, low salt and no added sugar.

The cheap IKEA high chair is the easiest to clean.

@New2020 firstly congratulations! I'm a FTM during lockdown too and I found everything so overwhelming. My boy is 10 months old now and I found weaning the most challenging (in my head only!!! Baby took to it like a pro it was just me 🙈). One thing I'd advise is just to go at yours and your own babies pace. I spent many times getting upset because I was too anxious to give "harder" foods such as cucumber and strawberries I was so worried about choking but I actually tried them today and I'm glad I waited because it gave me much more confidence.
We started off with baby rice, just a couple spoonfuls at a time of the day we felt baby was happy. We then quickly moved on to puréed foods - there's a mini tommee tippee blender which I'd highly recommend. Anything you wish to give baby in the beginning just make sure it's boiled/steamed for longer than you would yourself if you choose to go down the BLW route. We started with breakfast after babies bottle in the morning about 1 hour after for a few weeks then introduced lunch again always making sure baby has their milk as main source and you'll find they'll naturally drop their intake as the solids become more frequent.
There's some great ideas on ellas kitchen for meal ideas and they also give freebies on there too, I used that website to start out as it gives great advice on how to cut foods, guide on choking and what to do should it ever happen along with reassurance that babies gag...a lot! Let baby play with the spoon and just sit with you while you are at mealtimes. It'll all fall into place and I wish you lots of luck & fun in the weaning journey - it is really fun once you get the hang of it (get the camera ready 😍) x

@New2020 also, Joe Wicks wean in 15 & what mummy makes books are fab! X

A cheap shower curtain under the high chair will make clearing up a lot easier and a pack of cheap flannels for wiping face/hands that can be chucked in eith the washing make life a lot easier!