Books about weaning- recommendations?

[Londonmrss]

Hello,

My baby is currently 3 months and. ebf. I'm planning to wait until at least six months until weaning.

I know absolutely nothing about weaning.

I have just learnt from my friends on my post natal thread that I can do pureeing or blw. I think I'd probably like to do a combination if that's possible. I'm not sure how it all works, if they can be combined or how it relates to continuing breastfeeding (which I don't want to do for any longer than necessary because I've found it so hard... but that's another thread). Basically I don't know anything!

Any recommended reading to get me started? I've just bought French Kids Don't Throw Food, but I'm not sure if that even relates to weaning.

I don't really have any book recommendations, although if you are interested in BLW, apparently the Gill Rapley book is good (although a bit preachy by some accounts). Annabel Karmel is good for purées, but I'm finding it totally useless on the finger food front, and also she makes simple stuff look really complicated. I just found it a useful guide for how to start introducing food.

Firstly, have a read of the advice on the mumsnet and NHS weaning pages. That should give you all the basic information about when to start, what foods to avoid (certain things not recommended before 6 months - if you choose to start before then - and honey to be avoided until age 1) and other guidance.

Milk is the main source of nutrition until the age of 1 - if you are planning to stop breastfeeding, you will need to move onto infant formula. From the age of 1 they can drink cows milk.

I could say a whole bunch of stuff but it's probably better for you to read it yourself. I'm sure others will be along with good advice as well.

Rana Conway's Weaning Made Easy is really good, science-based and practical. She emphasizes doing a mixture of simple purees and finger foods/self-feeding.

www.amazon.co.uk/Weaning-Made-Easy-feeding-baby-led/dp/1905410697

I loved the BLW cookbook but only if you don't want to purees.

Baby led weaning is about having a good attitude about food. Food is fuel, it's not a punishment or a reward. The baby is allowed to feel full up and stop eating. This book is really informative

www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-led-Weaning-Helping-Your-Baby/dp/0091923808

The recipe book I used was called Cooking with Coco. I thought it was brilliant as it was real food.

I have a few books and would definitely second the recommendation for Weaning Made Easy by Dr Rana Conway. A very straightforward book covering basics of traditional weaning and BLW and includes pros and cons and recipes and ideas for both. No BS about how either method is some mystical be all and end all to feeding.
I also have the Baby Led Weaning Cookbook - Gill Rapley and it has some good ideas- only tried a few as have only just started out.
I also have Anabel Karmels Baby and Toddler Meal Planner which has puree reepes and finger food suggestions. Have tried purees and they were good but LO not interested in being spoon fed but am thinking the recipes for older babies can be adapted for BLW purposes too.
Its worth Checking out local library or borrow from HV first

You can do both - I think many people do.

I loathe the Baby-Led Weaning book - it's not just preachy but also smug as hell...

DH (accidentally) set fire to AK's book . I had to throw it away afterwards.

I got a couple of nice things from the BLW cookbook, and still make them now. I also quite like the River Cottage Baby and Toddler cookbook.

We did a mixture of purées and finger foods, which worked fine for us.