Did we start weaning too early?

[HettyMeg]

I started weaning my baby a couple of days ago, about week before she turns six months. She hasn't really swallowed anything and is turning her head away if we offer her the spoon but shows an interest in the finger foods (we're doing a combination of baby led weaning and pureed veg). She can hold herself up well. Should I stop for a few days and then start again at six months on the dot or just keep going? Am I being overly anxious?

Sounds fine to me. Some babies aren't interested in being spoon fed and prefer finger foods and mashing it around themselves. Just let her play and explore and don't worry about anything actually being eaten at this stage!

It’s more about the signs than the age. DS was a couple of weeks before 6 months, as he had a hugely strong core and coordination.

He absolutely would not let us spoon feed him, we just put finger foods and purées out on the tray and let him explore. He was taking in more than we realised because his nappies quickly changed!

I would say it wasn’t until about 4-6 weeks in that it really clicked with him. Mealtimes are a real joy with him now at 17 months, he’s a fantastic eater & its one of my favourite times of the day with him!

Overthinking it I’d say. We started DD a week or so before 6 months, just because DH had a week’s holiday and it was nice to have him there to see her have her first food! Disinterest is pretty standard at this stage - I’d heard people talk about baby’s reactions to food being instant smiles or tears, but DD just had a spoonful of purée, looked kind of bored, and ignored the steamed bits I’d put down for her to play with. She’s now 21 months with a huge appetite so it doesn’t seem to have done her any harm 😆

Just let her get on with a piece of brocolli or a piece of banana, skip purees.

She probably just doesn't like what she's being fed or isn't hungry when you're feeding her.

Make sure there is a good time between milk and food being offered. Offer food first. Let her see you eat as well. Give her different things to try. Accept she won't like everything.

If she can pick food up and put it in her mouth, she is ready TBH.

It took my baby a while to properly understand what food was and what she was supposed to do with it. I'd just keep offering with no pressure and when she is ready she will let you know. Every exposure counts even if it is just to let her become familiar with what foods look and feel like, whether she tastes them or not.

Thanks all, I tend to worry if I don't follow guidelines to the letter so was concerned by starting a week before the recommended age of six months.

Does she sit at the dinner table whilst you eat? Most at this age watch you & follow

It took a good 4 to 6 weeks for either of mine to really 'get' eating. Starting a few days before 6 months really won't make a difference.

Just carrying on offering different textures and tastes and they'll get it eventually.

@trainnane she has sat with me yesterday and today while I have lunch and I've put some of the same finger foods on my plate so she can copy me. She certainly seemed more comfortable when she saw me doing that rather than just anxiously staring at her!

Hello just echoing others here but don't worry 🙂we started weaning a week or so before my DS turned 6m. It's normal for them to not really get it at first. Even at 7m he'd maybe have just a few spoonfuls of porridge, or chomp on some broccoli but not swallow much. Then he suddenly just got the hang of it. He's 10m now and will have a whole Weetabix with some mashed banana for breakfast, for example.

If she doesn't see you do it to copy, she'll have no idea what's she's supposed to do. Babies that sit at the family / adult table will want to copy everyone else however.