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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 home cooked food better for weaning compared to the organic jars you can buy off the shelf?

57 replies

spogs · 15/10/2007 20:40

I am about to begin weaning my 5 month old I am hearing mixed views on cooking weaned food from scratch and jars which is beat please help

OP posts:
Original poster
spogs · 15/10/2007 21:01

no she never gave me anything ....

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Habbibu · 15/10/2007 21:01

Spogs, it's entirely up to you. The NHS guidelines say 6 months, so if you want to hold off until then, you can always use that to answer people's questions about it. Do a bit of reading around, here and elsewhere, and go for a way that you think suits you and your baby. And have fun...

fruitymum · 15/10/2007 21:03

I started weaning at 24 week - making my own puree - fruit and veg to add to baby rice , then moved onto home cooked meals( I don't add salt anyway) . DD has had some jars - HiPP oganic and Plum puds - its handy to have in if your freezer is empty or you are out and about - many places won't reheat your home -made food. DD is now 17 months and eating mainly what we eat, mashed a little. Would recommend Annabel Karmel superfoods book - very helpful.

SuperMonkey · 15/10/2007 21:03

I was advised to give a full milk feed first to make sure they are still getting enough (it is still the most important part of their diet for the first 12 months). Then offer food afterwards.

Flier · 15/10/2007 21:04

spogs, I started off with some baby rice and purees but my ds quickly let me know she was happy to go down the blw route.
It is very hard when you are just starting out with weaning. I could post you the stuff I got from my hv with my first, it was a godsend. If you'd like it I can send it to you, you can mail me on dawne109 at yahoo.co.uk

SuperMonkey · 15/10/2007 21:04

This is a useful page

Original poster
spogs · 15/10/2007 21:05

i may wait then till she is 6 months kind of started a bit these past few days but since doing that she has begun night waking and does not seem interested at all really when I have offered her it x she loves her milk and since offering food it has kind off thrown her milk intake which in turn is affecting her sleeping at night so well......what do you guys think?

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Habbibu · 15/10/2007 21:05

Ah, yes, Flier! Spogs, you may well find that your little one makes a lot of the decisions for you. Mine was a total spoon refuser, so while I'd been keen on BLW, it soon became clear I didn't have much of a choice.

SuperMonkey · 15/10/2007 21:06

Baby rice is quite tasteless on it's own, better added to fruit/veg purees to make it creamier. Adding a bit of their usual milk makes the taste a bit more familiar too. Sweet potato was DS's favourite from the start and still is.

Habbibu · 15/10/2007 21:06

More milk - at this stage it's what she needs most, and you'll both enjoy weaning more when she's really ready for it.

fibernie · 15/10/2007 21:07

I think it sounds like you know your baby well. If she's happy, then wait. After six months things get easier in terms of what you have to restrict etc.

Original poster
spogs · 15/10/2007 21:10

thankyou fiberne thats good to hear.....think I will leave it for one more month....is that ok to do even though I have semi started it will it confuse her or harm her as in when i begin to wean again will she refuse

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SuperMonkey · 15/10/2007 21:11

Doesn't sound to me like it will harm her at all - sounds like she wants her milk!

fibernie · 15/10/2007 21:11

I'm sure it'll be fine. I have a friend who started weaning early then stopped and started later... all was well.

Original poster
spogs · 15/10/2007 21:12

hi flier my e-mail is carland [email protected] would love to recieve what you have really appreciate it xx

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Habbibu · 15/10/2007 21:12

Hello fibernie!

Original poster
spogs · 15/10/2007 21:13

so why does weaning at 6 months give you different options than at 5 months

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fibernie · 15/10/2007 21:13
fibernie · 15/10/2007 21:14

the nhs page explains that... sorry might get locked off mn in a bit, I've got mumsnet controls imposed by dh!

SuperMonkey · 15/10/2007 21:16

I don't think it does really spogs, especially if you are pureeing.

fibernie · 15/10/2007 21:17

You're supposed to avoid certain foods due to allergies before six months. NHS page says this:

If you choose to introduce solid foods before your baby reaches 6 months of age, you should not give them the following:
any cereals containing gluten, such as wheat flour, bread, rusks, rye or barley-based foods;nuts and seeds;fish and shellfish;eggs;citrus fruits, including citrus juices; and soft and unpasteurised cheeses.

SuperMonkey · 15/10/2007 21:22

Oh, sorry, yes .

Habbibu · 15/10/2007 21:23

Also one month's less mess!

Apologies for shameless hijack, spogs. All over now

Original poster
spogs · 15/10/2007 21:25

thankyou so so much guys all seems alot clearer think i will leave it till baby is 6 months so when i start i should cook fruit and veg and puree it down and start her on that with baby rice???/

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SuperMonkey · 15/10/2007 21:26

I would just try a few things until you find the thing that she likes best - combinations of baby rice, pureed fruit (DS liked pear), pureed veg (they like sweet things like sweet potato best).