Adding texture?

[Solasum]

A stupid question, but I am lacking inspiration.

8mo eats mainly fairly smooth purees at nursery, then self-feeds and rougher mush at home. Nursery are a bit paranoid about lumps, and I am not great at blending to anything rougher than thick puree. So, what can I put into the veg purees to add texture? So far have just added little pasta shapes.

And what about meat? Do you manually chop it into tiny lumps? Am I missing something?

Thank you

Watching with interest as I was wondering about this too for my 6mo who we started weaning at 5mo.
So far instead of purée I've been mashing etc. and with regards to meat I haven't a clue!! So far I've given mince in cottage pie and just made sure it was well broken up and flaked a cod quite finely. So hoping your thread can help me too!!!

Why are the nursery paranoid about lumps? Are they providing the food or do you have to supply it?

You can pretty much offer most things at this age, mushed if you prefer. How about making some cottage pie, add carrots, peas and opinions to the meat and make the top with some 50/50 regular potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Are you offering any finger food at all? You could try offering meat in strips.

I provide food for the moment. From a year old babies are magically deemed old enough to eat the nursery's own food, which is apparently 'toddler' food.

Yes, at home he has finger foods. So with meat, you just chop off a bit? DS has only one tooth at the moment, are gums really hard enough to cut through meat?!

Lo will be fine with strips of meat and omelette. He should even be able to tackle a chicken leg. Can't do links but have a look on youtube at baby led weaning chicken leg

Oh and try a sausage cut lengthways.

Mince? I cut up bits of meat with scissors too because DS hasn't the teeth to manage. I didnt purée at all, but I have mashed stuff a bit to make it easier for no teeth. Bits if well cooked veg; carrots, broccoli, peas etc should be manageable. Also rice is easy to eat and adds texture.

If nursery are terrified of choking, they probably want to do a first aid course...