advice/tips on weaning please?

[miniegg]

my baby is nearly six months old and he's been having very small quantities of baby rice for a couple of weeks now, and we've just tried him on sweet potato, which he liked.
does anyone have any advice on how to freeze food I prepare for him? do you have to buy special ice cube containers, that can be sterilised? Are there any rules about how to store it in the freezer, and how long it lasts?
also, how quickly should i move from giving him one/two solid feeds a day to three meals?

oh yes, one more question - is introducing solids linked to constipation?we haven't had a dirty nappy for two days now. he seems happy enough, but i'll be worried if it goes on much longer...

Hi there. My lo is at the same stage. I'm currently steaming and mouli-ing fruit and veg, then freezing in regular ice cube trays (the rubber ones are easiest to use). Cover in cling film and freeze, then pop them out and keep them in a freezer bag.

So far I've got Sweet Potato, Cauli, Apple, Pear, Carrot - and I sometimes combine the fruit and veg (today she had Cauli and Apple)

Its puree at lunchtime, then she sits in her high chair with the DCs and squidges a piece of cooked brocolli or carrot in her chubby mit! HTH

and I moved on very quickly from ice cube trays to these Also great for after weaning as they hold just the right single

and I like the Annable Karmel Baby Meal planner book.

Your baby's appetite will guide you too.

normal ice cube trays are fine, as foxy said, just cover in cling-film and then empty into freezer bags once frozen. They'll last 6 months in the freezer if stored properly, though I'm sure they will get eaten before this!

Think of feeding as a lesson in eating and flavours, and go at his pace. If he only seems interested in one or two meals a day, stick with that, if he wants three meals a day, give him that. Let him guide you.

Once they are over 6 months, there are very few things you can't cook up and puree for them, so get imaginative, baby food doesn't have to be bland. Mix veg and fruit, fruit and meat and grains, and even little bits of herbs, spices and garlic. Dried fruit is also good, add it to rice or porridge for a sweet breakfast or pudding (but you only need a little bit of dried fruit as it is so sweet!)

Also offer finger food as well as purees, like cooked carrots or broccoli and banana.

Hope this helps!

I used those bigger tubs too that foxy recommended. Good for once they are eating more.

I am not sure but I just poured boiled water over dishwashered ice cube trays to 'sterilise' but not sure if that is an approved method. I would recommend you go slow and RELAX. There is no definate way to do things and just go with your baby. You might notice that they reject a meal one day then relish it the next. and vice versa. Even my near 3 year old eats baked beans at nursery but NEVER at home. Fickle kids!!

Sterilise???? Oops!

If you have a dishwasher put it through and that should be fine.

I'm sure I sterilised stuff with DC1, but I seem to have forgotton about that with number 4!

I mouli as I'm too lazy to peel (not sure its any more labour saving) but blitzing with a hand blender is fine I think.

you can buy boxes about the size in foxes link 6 for a pound in poundstretcher / instore.

cook extra veggies when cooking main meal and puree for next days lunch etc

thanks for the tips everyone! our rubber ice cube tray smells, well... rubbery - am not sure if they all smell like this or if it's because ours is old. I may just get a new one.

I just used the normal ice cube trays and popped out into freezer bags. I didn't sterilise them, just made sure they are washed properly. You don't need to sterilise feeding equipment it's just bottles and teats etc because they come into contact with milk and are hard to clean.