Share your tips and tricks for weaning your little ones

[EllieSmumsnet]

We all know how exciting, yet daunting, the weaning journey can be. From choosing the right first foods to dealing with worries about allergies and picky eating, there’s so much to consider. How did you approach weaning with your little one? What were your biggest challenges, and what tips do you have for other parents starting this journey? Share your experiences and let’s help each other make weaning a smoother ride!

• Share your tips for weaning children below
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My tip is to watch their interest when you are eating, and when they are 6mo start offering them what you are eating in pureed form, mine loved carrots, bananas, squash, melon, small amounts, and no TV to distract.

My tip is don’t purée but mash.
i’d heard so much about some babies refusing to eat anything with lumps that I thought if I forego the puréing stage and went straight to mashing, my dd would be used to lumps.

it was usually the same food we were eating. I never used tins but the occasional jar of chocolate pudding if we were going out, which dd loved. (So did I 😍)

She didn’t bat an eyelid. Ate the food straight away thus skipping a stage and any possible problems with lumpy bits.

The beauty of it was if we had to go somewhere in a hurry then I didn’t have to rush blitzing her food but mash what I was eating in a cafe or restaurant, so much easier, convenient, and time saving.
Hope this helps someone.

Sorry we just sort of cooked without salt or chilli and then let dcs have a bit of our food. Not very exciting. Does mean you have to make sure everyone is eating a healthy diet (not a bad thing!)

We have an allergic child so with number 2 we introduced allergens early.

Big fan of mushy egg yolk and yoghurt!
You can expose babies to almond and cashew and soya through yoghurts made from these ingredients ; a great way to give early exposure.
We also mixed nut butters and tahini into yoghurts from 6 months of age

Weaning can be super difficult! When my little ones were 6 months, I was ready for it as needed a change - but it was so stressful with the mess and the lack of progress! I would say go easy on yourself - for the first year it really is about getting a feel for it. If they don't eat, don't worry! Just let them get messy and throw some food around.

Baby-led weaning was great for us - read the book, it will put your mind at rest about choking and give age-appropriate suggestions for food, down to how to cut it so it’s easy to grab and gnaw.

Get a large plastic sheet to go under the high chair to protect the floor.

Not every child will engage with baby led weaning, if it's not working start with smooth purées and then work your way up through the textures.

Try not to stress as your child will pick up on this, have fun and embrace the mess!

I wish I had known this at the time when weaning mine, it would have made a world of difference. I think a relaxed attitude is best where initially you and your baby are just exploring different textures and tastes and there's no pressure for baby to start having whole meals to start with.