Rusks???

[Alibobster]

My DS is 18 weeks old and I have started weaning him. He has been on baby rice now for 10 days, which he absolutely loves. He is always gnawing on his wee fingers and tries to chew anyone or anything he comes in contact with. I was thinking of giving him a rusk to try but I'm not sure if it's too soon. I'd appreciate any advice. P.S He's a big boy, 19lbs.

I would definitely avoid wheat until six months, rice cakes are a good alternative.

I'd go for plain fruit of vegetables tbh. Rusks usually have a lot of sugar in them. Mix a little fruit in with his rice. His still very young.

Although the knawing on fingers and toes etc is not a sign of hunger at all. Their mouths are full of nerve endings and it's a sensory thing. Or teething. Sometimes it's teething.

I think at 18 weeks he's too little for finger foods altogether be they rusks or rice cakes.

pureed apply and pear went down a treat. I cant remember how old ds was when he had rusks tho, sorry. My mum used to put rusks in our bottles when we were small.

SD posts crossed

Sorry - hadn't thought about the bit about being too young for finger foods as I didn't wean ds til 6 months.

Alibobster, you can get bickiepegs which are very hard biscuits that babies can gnaw to relieve teething pain. They are too hard to actually eat, but gets them used to the taste of food.

Or you could give rusk soaked in milk and mixed to a smooth paste as an alternative to baby rice - but they do contain lots of sugar.

Ali, your baby's age, weight and behaviour (chewing on stuff) are all fine and none of them is an indication that he needs anything other than milk. It would be better for his health and nutrition if you stopped giving him baby rice. He won't miss it!

Rusks are a big marketing con. You might as well give chocolate biscuits. Rusks are high in sugar, almost always have wheat in them (which really should not be given until 6 mths, which is the normal age for giving solid food), and they are costly.

When the time comes you can give your own rusks - crusts of bread or toast

You are the best judge of your child, do what you feel is best.

I stayed away from Rusks full stop plainly because they are the messiest morst disgudting this to clean up, honestly yoiu would do it once and never bother again

Do give the bickiepegs a go or just use a teething ring for your DS to chew on. If you want to introduce anymore foody items then smoothed fruit is probably best.

Good luck.

I've been giving ds Annabel KArmel's homemade rusks which are fingers of wholemeal bread with a coating of a tiny bit of marmite melted in boiling water pasted on and then baked until hard for 15mins at 180. These are his favourite finger food so might be good to try when your lo is older. Ds is nearly 7 months.