Weaning

[MCMP13]

Baby is 5 month and going to start weaning in the next month. I’ve read so much and it’s all very conflicting as per! Just wondering others experiences. Baby has only ever had breastmilk. I want to do a mix of BLW and traditional. How did you start weaning? What did you give your baby first and how much a day?

Also - if I batch make purées with breastmilk and freeze? how do I heat this up to give to baby as I read that you can’t put breastmilk in microwave.

Thanks in advance

Mine weee both breastfed. We weaned at 6 months on mix of finger food and spoon food.

We didn't bother with purées and just gave ours what we were eating.

Eg meat and veg as finger food and mashed potato and gravy as spoon food.

Toast or sandwich as finger food and soup as spoon food.

Eggy bread as finger food and weetabix with milk as spoon food.

You don't need to use breast milk in food. Cows milk is fine. You just should give cows milk as a replacement drink until one year.

Started weaning by giving a few spoonfuls and then putting finger food on the the tray. The finger food gets played with at first rather than eaten.

Babies are very good at knowing when they've had enough and will just stop eating.

Freeze purees and add BM after defrosting (or use cows milk - it's fine in cooking). I did spoon feeding - at the time my son had absolutely no interest in using his hands but absolutely loved food!

First food for us was blended carrot. One tiny ice cube to gauge his reaction (it was a hit). Pureed spinach the next day - also went very well.

Mashed banana happened in our first week, and he gagged on each bite. It happens. We persevered a little with sips of water, but after three little bites he retched it up. It happens. Gve him some blended cauliflower instead and that got easily put away

After a week-ish I doubled the amount I was giving him, because we had such a good reaction. Also started on dinner at this stage, with a similar amount. Introduced breakfast after another week or so, and then we built up the volume of each portion slowly. Let your baby tell you how much they want to eat. I would advise spend about 20-30 min eating, and then stop. It's tiring to learn new skills!

I gave my son banana again after a few weeks, and that time he ate it with no problem. Big favourite now!

Things I tried

Weetabix
Porridge
Yogurt
Mashed banana
Cucumber sticks
Toast
Vegetables steamed so they are soft

I did also use a fair bit of packet stuff my boy did not seem to like the purées I made 🫣

I didn't give to much to start of with, your baby will lead you. The most 'important' thing is variety of tastes and textures and introductions those foods that may cause allergens.

I was so nervous when starting I spoke to my local MW many offer weaning classes (not sure classes is the right word) but they will give you lots of ideas of food options :)