Share your 'weaning for beginners tips' with Lidl to win vouchers NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

Lidl would love to produce the ultimate 'honest mum's guide' to all things weaning, and need the help of the wise MNers who have been there and done that (and got the splattered t-shirt to prove it!).

Please share your trials and tribulations when it came to weaning your baby onto solid food – your favourite recipes for each stage of the weaning process, feeding tips and any shopping essentials.

"Lidl are very proud of their great range of fresh, quality and affordable products that are ideal for homemade weaning recipes. Their Fun-Size fruit and veg range (with Cauliflower Clouds to name just one!)) are a great way of getting your Kids into new snacks. They also stock their own organic baby food pouches, Lidl’Uns, which come in a variety of flavours – perfect for meals on the go, or even adding into other recipes!"

Whether you are weaning your first baby or are an old hand, please share your tried and tested recipes, and top dos and don'ts, favourite Lidl products, and any tips to help make weaning a breeze. Everyone who posts below will be entered into a prize draw where 5 winners will each get £50 to spend in Lidl.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

Standard insight Ts&Cs apply

In today's sunday times, research has found that babies who are spoon-fed by their parents are more likely to end up overweight or even obese. What are your thoughts on this? Does anyone have any experience? www.thetimes.co.uk/article/babies-are-being-spoonfed-a-dollop-of-obesity-amy-brown-g8k2qmwpr

Nothing to add, but a newbie here very grateful for all your tips and advice. Nice to see a thread where common sense prevails!

Remember that "food before one is just for fun" - they don't have to be eating three meals a day within a certain period of time, so just take it slowly and enjoy it as much as possible!

we just pureed whatever we ate (roast dinners, pasta meals, literally everything) and my daughter ate it all

A small steamer is very useful for batons of veg for blw. Steaming is easier than boiling and maintains more nutrients and colour, as well as flavour of course.

I'd say the biggest don't would be not to avoid foods that you don't like. So many parents base what they feed their kids on what they (the parents) like and dislike. If a child seems to dislike a food keep giving it time and time again, it can take 15 times or more to actually get used to and enjoy a particular food :)

I really wish that BLW was a thing when I was DS1 was a thing, we did jars, all was fine with smooth stuff, but trying to introduce lumps he'd heave away. I tried cooking for him, buying a lifetime supply of baby sized pots, plus recipe books, he wasn't keen.

DD1 did another fad which was texture sensations. When all said and done just give baby some of what you're having unless its a balti lol.

When my little ones were going to start weaning first child bought lots of Annabelle karmel containers realised with 2nd baby you just need ice cube treats and when you are cooking the family dinner I should cook extra vegetables then blend them down once cooked and out into ice cube trays the freeze.
I should have lots of these in the freezer with all different vegetables and pureed fruit once frozen pushing of trays into freezer have already for baby.
Also no expensive high chair mistake as we did this first time round Ikea high chair so much easier to clean.I
Don't stress all new tastes for little babies before you know it you will be last this stage so try to enjoy as they grow up far too quick .

Don't force it but always put vegetables/fruit on the place and let them try it when they are ready

We did BLW and I would recommend it to everyone. Messy but created such positive relationships with food, and at 8 and 6 are such wide eaters.

Baby led weaning for me - babies need most of their calories from milk until around 10 months so from 6-10 months they can just enjoy and play with their food.

Get them in a nappy, let them go for it! Mess, fun and food confidence

BLW was definitely the best thing I ever did. Didn't do it with DC1 but did with DS2 and it made life a million times easier! An easy clean highchair that let's the child sit bolt upright is a must. My favourite was the mega cheap ikea highchair.

Put DC on a thick plastic table cloth on the floor and give them a spoon in each hand! Saves mess and doesn't push them towards being right handed as I in 10 is left handed.
Batch cook dishes and freeze in small portions.

Don't be in a massive hurry to feed solids to your baby, when they start showing an interest in your food give them little bits of yours (not salty or too sugary) and let them get used to the feel of food. Don't stress out about the mess, it'll make them anxious and feeding will become a battle.

In a nutshell, be patient, go with the flow, expect a hell of a lot of mess and wasted food, but don't give up!

Be prepared for it to be messy!!

I just starting trying to give mine food. Wasn't keen at first then suddenly she just seemed to get into it and off we went. I would say I think I was too stressed about it though so if it doesn't work at first don't panic.

it's good to let your baby try lots of different tastes, but you don't have to go mad buying lots of expensive exotic or hard to find ingredients.

Babies are just as happy to eat a bit of mushed up shepherds pie than the fanciest recipe out of AK's book.

I initially tried purée vegetables and fruit with my DS but I soon realised that he would rather suck on the odd bit of Toast or other soft finger foods. Little Fromage Frais are good for getting them used to swallowing and moving food round their mouth

Don't compare yourself and child to others you come across.
It's not a race, and everyone gets there in the end!
Your child may eat something one day then refuse the same thing the next day - don't stress!
Finger foods are a good option and just leave baby to it whilst keeping an eye on what tastes and textures they seem to prefer.

work on it bit by bit and keep it slow and steady. one step at a time.

making everything fun and the food as tasty as you can!

Don't get hung up on weaning from a certain date. Our DS didn't take to food at all until about 7 months and then he just went for it. I suppose my biggest tip would be a paeds first aid course in case of choking (proper choking as opposed to gagging). I've only had to use it once - on a 2 year old who choked on a carrot stick, but was so relieved to have done it.

Actual food wise, our toddler ate pretty much what we did - less salt and sugar. He loved homemade drop scones, although I did turn him purple twice by putting blueberries in them, and sweetcorn fritters were another favourite.

I spent ages pureeing stuff when DS1 was a baby, only for him to stick his nose up at it all. He did however love sucking on a toast soldier, gumming soft fruits and mashed potato, and spend ages trying to pick up peas.

With DS2 we went straight to the finger foods again. In fact one of his first foods was a chip on holiday.

They're both completely different too, and although they generally eat quite well they can be fussy. So my top tip is to not get stressed if they go from tasting most things to refusing a lot - we do praise a lot for trying new foods though.

Another tip is to leave their plate on their high chair (if not finished but they've got bored of it) while you give them some fruit or yoghurt, they'd often go back for more or even mix the two (baby corn yoghurt dippers anyone?!).

Don't stress about it. I though ds would be ready for food earlier but actually he took a while and wasn't really bothered until around 7/8 months. Also, don't get smug about how your child eats anything, it will change!!