Confused (again)

[TheRhythmlessMan]

Sorry if this is a silly question-

When packets say suitable for 4+/6+/7+ months etc, if I feel as though we're still on early stages of weaning would it be better to give my 8mo her age group or do I stick to more simple 4+ while her digestion gets used to the textures etc?

(Have been trying to wean since 6.5 months but we've barely scratched the surface)

Have you tried giving finger foods, mashed up foods that you're eating?

She refused spoon at first so gave her finger foods but she -I think- had some reflux and had lots of trouble passing this through her system so tried purees again last few days, which has been going well. But she struggles with her gut so I've tried starting again with four month kind of purees.

Does a baby's digestion get used to more complex textures or is it when they're x number of months their digestion can supposedly cope?

You can give solid real food from 6m so you don’t need to worry about following the stages if your baby can cope. DS2 is 8m old and I give any of the baby foods from across the stages, plus actual food. Like pasta, toast, roast potatoes etc. If they can cope with these they can cope with any of the stages baby food.

It’s more about what baby can take - if you’re still needing purées then stay on stage 1. If some texture is ok then stage 2.

I would say by 8.5m (same age as DS2) you could have 3 meals established (we have since 6.5m) and these could be ‘proper’ food meals so I’d advise pushing on a bit of you’ve barely scratched the surface.

What’s holding you / baby back?

Just read about reflex etc - the textures are about mouth feel and chewing not passing through their systems.

What problems did you see in her digestion apart from reflux?

WHen oh her digestion doesn’t cope, what do you mean? At the start with my DS everything came out looking the same as it went in (we had rainbow poo for a while if he had say broccoli for one meal, followed by carrot). We carried on and now things are much more firm and look more, er, processed!

Thank you everyone for your replies. I really appreciate it.

My HV the other day suggested it could be reflux because a few hours after eating (not a problem bf) dd seems really uncomfortable when trying to fall asleep- sometimes to the point of screaming. She straightens her body and arches her back, flinging her head back. The only reason/pattern i could come up with was the food (stopped weaning for a couple of days which solved the problem). I've considered allergies/intolerances but I can't see a pattern. It's bad with even just plain veg.

Could it be trapped wind/constipation? I'd imagine her system is just getting used to passing through thicker consistencies than milk but by what you have all said, am I overthinking this? Should I just carry on and see if over time the screaming stops?

A part of me is doubtful it's reflux because it's hours after feeding (NHS symptoms list doesn't really line up apart from the excessive crying when going to sleep). I am also aware that crying to sleep is normal- but this is at screaming level.

I agree that it is more likely to be constipation/ wind than reflux.
Make sure that your baby is having lots to drink as well as food. No need for purées now that weaning age is 6 months and particularly not for your older baby. I would perch baby on your knee or in their high chair and give your baby what you are eating( cook without salt) . You can modify a little by squashing with a fork if you want to spoon feed eg porridge/ yoghourt/ fruit/ toast for breakfast, sandwich/ soup / egg for lunch, pasta / rice meal/ fish or meat plus veg for dinner. Your baby will find it it more interesting than foods from a packet and will gradually learn to eat ( tiny bits will go down at first) and digest what you are offering. Up until now they have been used to a liquid diet so their systems do need to adjust.

Thank you @yikesanotherbooboo This is great advice. You've inspired me.
I was feeling so low about the whole weaning thing and worried about how little I was giving DD. I've been giving water already with food and will continue.

So I gather it is not a brilliant idea to keep giving purees at this stage then.. Chunkier textures will be helped in digestion with more water? Sometimes I put her on boob as a 'drink' after a meal but maybe this was making it more clogged.

Thank you so much.

You’ve had lots of good advice but you may want to have a look at kellymom.com for a bit more reassurance. Biologically normal for main source of calories to be breastmilk/formula until age 1. Weaning is mainly about getting used to lots of flavours and textures- all babies go at their own pace. My now 2 yr old took barely anything until 8 months and wasn’t on 3 meals until 18months. He is a normal toddler now food-wise (ie starving one day, survives on a single pea the next ).
I’d follow the advice to keep it fun and causal and share what you’re having.

Also you may find they will eat better around other children or when you’re not there- they probably just still prefer your milk!

@moreismore thank you. Yes there is so much conflicting info out there. I feel bad that my lack of knowledge and imagination has been hindering progress and possibly preventing DD getting the nutrients she needs so I just have to hang on to the idea that "food before one is only for fun..."

DH and I have such chilli/garlic/strong flavoured meals that I don't think it's a great idea mushing it up for a baby. I give her the odd broccoli floret every now and then

Hi, my baby is younger (7.5mo) so I can't really advise obviously but I just wanted to comment about your meals - I don't cook with salt at all, and I don't cook with chilli anymore either, I keep chilli flakes/sauce/fresh chilli separate and add it to DH and my individual portions after cooking. But other mild spices I just cook as normal as it hasn't bothered DD at all e.g. garlic, turmeric, herbs like parsley, coriander, onion etc. I figure it's good for her to be exposed to different tastes.