Have I messed up weaning? Feel like a bit of a failure!

[greeneone12]

So sorry to be a moaner but just need some reassurance really.

I started weaning about 5 weeks ago with purees and baby rice. I started with lunch and added dinner but have never really been very consistent. Some days DD hasn't had lunch or dinner, other days has had nothing at all. I have just found it a bit difficult as we are out and about alot.

I just feel as if I have mucked it up as meals have been all over the place. She took to the veg and various combinations well and has happily had a variety but today I tried to give a bit of dinner and she didn't want it.

I know food is for fun until 1. I just feel as if I have not given DD much of a structure and worry! Most of my friends seem to have their LO's on 3 meal a day already and I am not even managing 1 some days.

I did want to switch to BLW but DP and I have lovingly pureed up loads of root veg and fruit so don't really want to waste it.

I suspect any responses will be....she is still tiny (6 months) so don't worry and just go with it. She is BF exclusively. Sorry again to have a moan but being a 1st time Mum it just feels a real challenge.

Thank you!

Yeah, don't worry, we were nowhere NEAR 3 meals at that stage (your friends are probably lying exaggerating

I'd try a sort of BLW-with-the-odd-blob-of-puree approach; you don't have to choose one or the other. BLW is much easier if you're out a lot, too.

I reckon with weaning you can't really mess it up if you stay calm and don't panic about how much they're getting. Sounds like you're doing great

Sounds like you're doing fine

Spot on about it being early days. I wonder if you would find a bit of BLW would actually suit you better if you are busy. Would be easier to do 'on the run' probably. You could still use up some of the purees as dips.

The only way you could be really messing things up at this stage is by pureeing up takeaway fish and chips or giving her battered marsbars

Oh damn, are battered marsbars not allowed at this age Brevity? But we ARE doing BLW, and as I was having a couple at teatime it felt only right to give one to DS! I suppose you're going to tell me I shouldn't be giving him Dr Pepper in a bottle now as well ;)

It's so much easier at first when you can just not bother giving them any food if you're out or something and just breastfeed instead Enjoy this stage!

I agree. This stage of weaning is much more emotionally fraught than it should be. Your DD is still getting the overwhelming majority of her calories from BM (and should be for a fair few months yet) so if you don't have a meal available you can just bf instead. It's kinda great in a way.

FWIW, we used the BLW-with-the-old-blob-of-puree method, and DS didn't really eat much until he was 11-12 months old.

He's fine. (On the 75th centile for height and 50th for weight, as he's been since 2weeks)

I never thought of it like that! Thanks so much. Guess I feel like I am getting behind when so many other LO's I know seem so far ahead. It's so hard to feel like she is getting most of what she needs from milk as there is so much emphasis on the 6 month mark for weaning.

Thanks again.