Weaning and complex carbohydrates

[themothership]

Hi,

We've just started weaning our dd at 25 weeks (she's now 27). I've only been giving her fruit and veg purees so far but am thinking ahead a bit to when I introduce carbs like pasta. My dh and I always eat complex carbs, such as brown rice and wholemeal pasta / bread, but I read somewhere that you should give babies refined carbs (e.g. white rice) because they can't digest the unrefined stuff. Is this the case with all carbs (e.g. bread) or just rice, and if so, does anyone know when I can start introducing more complex carbs?

Thanks!

Oh, we're a complex-carbs only house.

I think the only risk with giving complex carbs is, they are too high fibre, and can cause constipation if you give too much, too early.

DS2 is really happy with complex carbs, and as far as I can tell, they have done him no harm.

I have only ever given my dd brown rice (pureed to start with). She's been fine on it. If you have a chance, look at "what should I feed by baby" by Susannah Oliver. She recommends using brown rice.

Thanks for your responses. When did you start your little ones on carbs then? Dd is 27 weeks now, but am being cautious since she seems to have had a reaction to carrots of all things.

I started with sweet pot mixed with parsnip.

once ds seemed to have the fine motor control for it (i.e. was actually able to hold small things and get them accurately into his mouth - prob more like 7mo) I gave him ricecakes quite a bit. They are made with brown rice, but it's puffed up so not so hard to digest. Also bits of pasta, but they tend to be a bit slippery to hold until they are better co-ordinated.

I think it's prob worth avoiding very knobbly wholegrain-type bread, but normal wholemeal seems ok for ds. If it makes your dd constipated you can review I spose.