Food ideas please (was 'told off' by HV)

[MrsBonkers]

Have 8 month old DD.
She seems to like trying new food. Has eaten both pureed and finger foods. DH and I let her try bits of what we're eating (except for junk / salty food of course.)

Last time I saw HV I told her how pleased I was that DD likes fruit and that we have some most afternoons. She said that I should really be giving DD 3 starch based meals a day at this age. She had really disapproving tone.

I was really upset as I felt stupid that this is my first and I don't know what I'm doing. Pre PND I may have thanked her for her advice and asked for some meal suggestions, but I just sat and cried.

Can you ladies give me some ideas on easty meals for an 8 month old and beyond.
Already give her pasta, toast, porridge.

Another example of why most HV's should just be smiled at and ignored.
What utter crap.
Both my ds's went through a phase of eating nothing but fruit and weetabix and they are both still fit and healthy!
I'd say just follow the lead from your DD, he'll soon let you know when she wants something else

Sorry to hijack this thread but felt the need to add to the HV rant.
I have decided to boycott!!!
Have been going every 1 then 2 now 4 weeks since DD was born. First she wasn't gaining enough weight, ended up giving in at 6 weeks and adding formula top ups due to stress from HV. Last time at 20 weeks she was photocopying chart to show GP cos she had gained too much and hopped another centile. She even asked me if I allowed DD floor time to kick and roll about!!! What does she think I do with my now 5 month old!!! Who would bounce for hours in the jumperoo if allowed and how goes to swimming and baby yoga lessons. ANyway, supposed to go this week at 24 weeks but think I'll boycott. Bound to be reprimanded for the fact I've started giving her bits of avocado, cucumber etc to experiment with!! Gggrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

Hi splatt it does make you wonder why some of these people chose their proffession doesn't it? Aren't they meant to support and inform parents.
Like someone else said, I feel really sorry for the good ones, because there seem to be an awful lot out there giving them a bad name.

Just to say... I do understand the HV rants but there really are good ones out there! I have an excellent one who actually reccommended BLW to me as DD (ebf - VERY supported by HV) refused a spoon entirely....and I am eternally grateful that she did!!!! She just said that DD was "trying to tell me something" and I need to have confidence in her ability to get as much as she needs from finger foods (and boy does she eat them... serious evidence in nappies!) as she will still be getting plenty of cals from breastmilk. A week after I saw HV, she even gave me a call to see how I was getting on and ask if i was enjoying it! DD is on 98th centile for weight and HV is constantly saying "look how she's thriving on nothing but your milk!"

Just a reminder and a nod to the good ones!

MrsBonkers, I think you're doing brilliantly. I'm sorry to the good HVs, but BOOOOOOO to the many rubbish ones. I found myself popping in for queries about weaning recently, and suddenly being told off for my co-sleeping.... Excuse me? Did I ask about that??

Not sure which I dislike more - health visitors, or the phrase "you're making a rod for your own back".

As someone said previously, no baby will starve in the midst of plenty. I'm having a few problems getting food that my DD likes into her, she gets so cross about mealtimes, whether spoon-food or finger-food. But for me the main issue isn't how much milk/food or how much weight she puts on, it's whether or not I get woken up in the small hours for a bottle because she has had a temper tantrum and not been able to eat her dinner.

Hope you're not feeling too down. PND must be awful - the regular kind of D is bad enough, let alone having a baby to look after!

We have had to go with BLW, which means I live by the mantra "food is fun under one". I was told that weaning at this age is about the texture and taste of food the volume will come. Since I stopped stressing life has become so much more enjoyable, weaning has gone from being the most stressful thing to the most enjoyable time yet (thanks to all the advice from mumsnet).
Good Luck!

WHYLS - I love co-sleeping too. She starts off in her cot, but I often bring her into the bed for snuggles :)
Thanks for your kind thoughts, I don't think od it as PND to be honest as I've been depressed for years. Got some good support around me on that front.

tahli I will share that mantra with you. I like mealtimes too - probably because I get to strap her into her chair ;)

Bit of an update as I started this thread some time ago:
8 month check went fine. Just asked if I wanted any support with sleeping or weaning. Checked she was sitting, reaching for toys, pincer grip etc.. Said to call if I needed to talk.
Weaning going well. Tries most things we put in front of her even though she still doesn't have teeth.
Cheese/ ham sandwiches seem to be popular for lunch - think they must be fun to pull to pieces! Made the mistake of giving her rice, which seemed to spread around the room like confetti. Thank goodness the dog is a food hoover...... :)

So glad it's getting better for you, you sound really positive which is lovely!

My suggestion was just put some vaseline on it, that's my HVs answer to everything -

DD has slight eczema - just put vaseline on it
DD has cradle cap - just put vaseline on it
DDs right leg has fallen off - just put vaseline on it
DD won't eat anything but yoghurt - get some meat and trying putting vaseline on it...

...nice helpful answer for you OP!

MrsBonkers, hope you're feeling better.

Just wanted to second the Gill Rapley BLW Cookbook. We never bought the other one, so can't comment on that, but the recipe book is great. Like you, my diet isn't very healthy, but the recipe book is great for simple BLW meals that all the family can eat. Most of the recipes require few ingredients and are not too expensive.

Thanks for the tip.
Feeling quite good these days, must be the sunshine :)

Holly - for me the advice I got for all problems was "put olive oil on it".

Seriously I think it could bring world peace!

Well done mrsb you are doing fab :)

MrsBonkers - you are doing brilliantly!