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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

Original poster

Is it ok to feed babies mostly from jars?

38 replies

MeganPoppins · 13/10/2020 07:44

I have 8 month old triplets. When I was pregnant I had this image of myself breast feeding, only ever giving my babies home made foods, cloth nappies etc etc... HAHAHA. Needless to say, none of this has worked out and everything in my life is now based purely on convenience!

Since the babies were born DH and I are mainly living off ready meals and takeaways, so BLW wouldn't really work or be sensible for us (plus the mess x3, and what if more than one of them started choking). So they are now eating porridge or yogurt with fruit for breakfast, and a savoury jar (sometimes followed by a dessert pot thing) at lunch time. Sometimes around 5pm I'll offer them some sort of finger food like some carrot batons, tenderstem broccoli, toast or sweet potato wedges.

Is this ok? I feel like a terrible mother when I think about the additives that must be in these jars. But I barely have time to brush my hair, never mind cook Blush

OP posts:
Tadpolesandfroglets · 13/10/2020 07:46

You can buy organic pots of food, I’m
Sure it’s not going to harm them long term! Sounds like you have your handful so don’t stress too much.

Soubriquet · 13/10/2020 07:47

Of course it is.

Both of mine were fully weaned on pouches and they were single babies.

Both are healthy

fitzbilly · 13/10/2020 07:49

It's fine. They're fed. Don't worry.

BabyLlamaZen · 13/10/2020 07:49

Hi op, wow you really have your hands full! Is there no way of batch cooking some pureed food and then freezing? So you have some non jar food?

I'd actually say blw is better for not choking as they learn to chew before swallow, but i see you have hardly any time to cook. You need to look after your own health though! Is there anyone who can help at all?

choosername1234 · 13/10/2020 07:53

Sounds like you have it sorted, OP. Jars / pouches are there to save our sanity when we need quick food, fast. With 3 that is every day. Please don't worry yourself, you are giving carrot batons etc at tea time, sounds like the best of all worlds

ForeverBubblegum · 13/10/2020 07:58

It's fine, it's designed for babies, of course it's not going to harm them. In 2 years time when they're screaming for chicken nuggets, you'll wonder what you were worried about.

IsAnyoneInAbuDhabi · 13/10/2020 07:58

Your meal plan sounds like it has great balance to be. These things naturally change as the babies grow. Enjoy your babies.

whatswithtodaytoday · 13/10/2020 08:00

They're absolutely fine. Mine had lots of Ella's pouches at that age, with something to chew on as well - usually a piece of toast or a soft vegetable.

I'd suggest having a look at blw recipes for things to batch cook - I usually have some courgette fritters or spinach and Philly pinwheels in the freezer. They'd quick to cook and easy to just heat up so they're having something different.

Teaandchocolatedigestives · 13/10/2020 08:02

3 babies in lockdown... you're doing brilliantly Grin honestly, don't sweat it. The kids are being fed, it's a complete non issue Smile

SerenaJones · 13/10/2020 08:02

It's absolutely fine do this this and you are already giving them some real food anyway. You will reach a point in a few months though when they will start to need a lot of food and it becomes expensive to feed from jars. I would start thinking about batch cooking and baby-led weaning so you don't have to spoon it in. Invest in coverall bibs and just accept that at the end of every meal you will have to hose down the room. Also don't worry about choking. Real choking is rare and the odds of it happening even once are small. Gagging is common but it's not the same thing.

loutypips · 13/10/2020 08:08

Do you eat everything made fresh from scratch? I doubt it! Carry on as you are... gosh it was hard enough with one! Give yourself a break. In a couple of months they will pretty much be eating the same as you, so it will be easier.

Parker231 · 13/10/2020 08:12

Mine were jars and pouches babies. Perfect for babies - lots of variety and flavours. No difficulties in transitioning to regular food as got older. Never had time for batch cooking so jars made life easier.

ahhanotheryear · 13/10/2020 08:16

Mine was a bf baby (I mention that because the homemade/jar weaning debate is as bad as the bf/ff) who I then weaned exclusively on jars and pouches. Its less work, there's a really good variety available, homemade baby food is just another stick to beat mothers with.
I gave finger food as well. I used Cow & Gate, Hipp organic, Lidl (very good very good price) and Ellas. Number two will be a jar baby as well

Redcrayons · 13/10/2020 08:22

I’ve got twins and mine had a lot more jars than I imagined in my parenting fantasy.

It’s not like you’re giving them a bag of crisps and a can of Coke. It’s food for babies.

I’ve now got two 6 footer teens, one will eat anything the other one would exist or cocktail sausages and biscuits if I let him. Both fed the same thing the same way.

SanJunipero · 13/10/2020 08:26

My DW was dying while DS was weaning, so DS almost exclusively ate Ella's pouches (alongside some soft veg etc at teatime, just as you're doing) as I just didn't have the time to cook. He's now 2.5 and is doing absolutely fine; I'm back to cooking from scratch and he'll eat absolutely anything. In fact, he particularly loves curries and anything with loads of garlic in!

SanJunipero · 13/10/2020 08:26

My DW was dying while DS was weaning, so DS almost exclusively ate Ella's pouches (alongside some soft veg etc at teatime, just as you're doing) as I just didn't have the time to cook. He's now 2.5 and is doing absolutely fine; I'm back to cooking from scratch and he'll eat absolutely anything. In fact, he particularly loves curries and anything with loads of garlic in!

WhistlersandJugglers · 13/10/2020 08:29

Baby jars don't have any additives or salt. They are designed by nutritions for babies. The main problem with them is if you feed babies only pureed food they can struggle with lumps later but you are giving your babies finger food too so it's sounds very balanced and sensible to me.

WinWinnieTheWay · 13/10/2020 08:32

Absolutely fine op. There is so much choice and variety now.

Make sure that supplemented with fresh finger foods.

Twizbe · 13/10/2020 08:33

You're fine. I mostly fed my eldest Ella's kitchen pouches. He has some weight and allergy issues so needed a very clear record of what and how much he'd eaten.

You've got triplets, do what you need to in order to get through the day.

Newgirls · 13/10/2020 08:36

They are prob having a wide range of flavours which is great. A few finger foods and all sorted!

BabyLlamaZen · 13/10/2020 08:36

My main concern is you and dh not being able to have proper food! Agree that a range of fresh fruit and veg finger food is the way to go.

zippityzip · 13/10/2020 08:37

Ha I read 8 month old triplets and stopped reading.
You damn well do whatever you need to survive. Not many people can judge you. Your babies are fine. Look after yourself though.

Livingmagicallyagain · 13/10/2020 08:43

Sounds absolutely fine! You're doing amazingly! Honestly, just feed your babies, save your sanity and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Sounds like they get a good variety (my BLW friends even now years later complained their kids never got variety, FWIW, and aren't all the best eaters now). Save money on the dessert pots, they don't need them, and treat yourself to the best quality ready meals you can get!

TeeBee · 13/10/2020 09:16

You do whatever it takes to get through the day.

Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 13/10/2020 09:20

Just coming to add to the echo chamber of you do what's best for you, I found it had enough with one some days, 3 must be crazy!
They're fed, looked after, worried about and loved, that's all that matters at this age.