Puree..BLW...No idea what to do???

[NickyEds]

DS will be 25 weeks old this weekend. I've tried him with a few purees (EVERYONE at baby club has been doing it for weeks) and he seemed a bit puzzled by it- didn't really eat any. He was much more excited by me and his dad smiling and cooing and making yummy noises!

HV said that next week I should DRASTICALLY reduce his milk and feed him a mixture of finger foods and purees. Dreading it. How can he possibly get the same calories from pureed carrot as milk?

I've read a bit about BLW and it sounds easier than faffing around with purees but I'm worried about choking. Anyone any advice on how to start?

DS can sit in a high chair ok but can't sit unsupported on the floor. He can see something,reach for it, turn it over and put it in his mouth. He is interested in us eating, but no more so than anything else we do! OH and I are real foodies and I was really looking forward to weaning but now it's here I just don't feel confident about how to get going without choking or starving him. Any advice on BLW or how to get going would be great. I'm also very worried about reducing his milk.

Blimey, it's comments like that which stand out and make people think some HV are rubbish!

BLW is definitely easier than purees, especially if you eat the kind of food that can be easily adapted for a baby to eat. However despite being easier and probably cheaper, it's best to remember that is is not a law and if you end up spoon feeding some things that's fine too. Some babies will adore feeding themselves, others will want to be fed, so let your DS drive how he wants to eat.

I weaned 2 years ago and I really, really don't remember just suddenly reducing milk! It can take some babies a few months to really grasp that solid food is nice and fills them up like milk does, it seems a bit harsh to force that until they're really got a grasp on solid food. DD was a good 8mo before she worked out what was going on.

I'd get the BLW cookbook, or borrow it from the library as it is really useful even if you don't go for pure BLW, and it has a guide in there too. Then basically you start putting DS in his highchair and giving him some food to play with and let him explore and show an interest in what he likes.

I bloody hated weaning and got insanely stressed about it, which is so easy to do. So my only advice would be that it might take a few months but don't rush it, let your DS drive the pace, he will eventually learn to eat. And personally I wouldn't reduce his milk until you feel he's starting to get some good calories from solid food though.

Your HV is barking mad wrong.

It's supposed to be a very gradual transition from milk to food, over a number of months. In the early stages of weaning he should still be getting the vast majority of his intake from milk. As you say, pureed carrot isn't as nutritious as milk anyway.

You really do NOT need to reduce his milk. Give food about 1 hour after his milk - so he's a bit hungry but not too hungry. Just once a day to start, then add more "meals" once he's got the hang of it. As he gradually takes more food, he will reduce the amount of milk he takes by himself. TBH you only need to worry or try to reduce his milk if he's nearing a year and still mostly on milk.

You can do purees, finger foods or a mix of both. BLW just means giving them bits of adult food ie give him bits of your own meal. Choose stuff without too much salt or sugar, also no honey or uncooked egg at this age. To avoid choking risk, you could choose soft foods like cooked sweet potato or banana (there will be a bit of gagging stuff up, but that's not choking) but most foods are fine really. Cut grapes and cherry tomatoes in half and avoid whole nuts.

Don't fret! You're a week ahead of the recommended 26 weeks anyway. He may not be ready just yet - try every few days, once you get some enthusiasm from him then you can start giving him food every day.

You don't need to drastically reduce milk!

You just add in food and as they eat more, milk gradually goes down by itself.

As to purées or BLW - whatever suits is fine, either or both.

Thanks. It was the "drastically reduce milk" that's got me so worried and made me feel like I better get a move on. Don't know why as my hv has pretty much been useless.

I did finger food from the start but didn't do purees as such - just mashed with a fork anything I could. I think they can cope with a few lumps at this age and I didn't want to wash the blender. And yes, your hv is talking pure crazy.

your hv is talking rubbish - of course you dont need to reduce milk. He will reduce milk himself as he starts to take more solid foods. Give some purees if you wish but offer some finger foods alongside - it doesnt have to be one or the other as a mix is perfectly fine too.