Weaning help

[PinkBlossom33]

Hi my DD is 6 months old and we have started weaning. However, I feel like I'm overthinking it and have completely confused myself 🤦

I want to give a mixture of purées and finger food. For those that have or are weaning. How long did you just offer vegetables for before introducing fruit and other foods? Did you offer puree and finger food at every meal? When did you move to offering food 2 times a day? Did you stick to a schedule or just offer food when it suited you/baby?

Sorry for a lot of questions! I thought I was prepared for weaning and then started and don't feel like I am now 😔

I think you might just be overthinking it a little!

Absolutely no need just to offer veg or fruit to a six month old baby. That advice is for much younger babies when babies were weaned often much earlier than 4 months.

As long as you avoid these foods baby can have anything, and I mean anything!

So if you want to give some ready brek for breakfast made with whole milk with some berries or banana as finger food, that's absolutely fine.

Just the same if you want to mask up some cottage pie made with low salt stock cubes and offer broccoli as a finger food.

You can introduce the next meal when you're ready, there's no rush. You're aiming for 3 meals by 9 months

Honestly, just let baby explore as much as possible right now and don't forget to take lots of photos

Thank you this is really useful advice! I think I definitely am overthinking 🙈

If I wanted to use ready brek can I use it as it is or should I blend the oats first so they're smaller?

The advice I would give my past self is don’t stress!

Aptimil and cow & gate both do plain baby rice (100% rice). You can make it with formula, or add a bit to fruit/veg purées to thicken.

Beware other baby rices and porridges - read the ingredients, they have a lot of sugar.

Only expect the baby to eat tiny amounts at first (like one or two baby spoonfuls).

And get long handled spoons… much more effective. Give the baby one (or two) to hold and use another one yourself.

Also don’t be afraid of gagging. It’s normal and natural. Coughing and spluttering is also fine.

Just sit them with you and share your food? Don’t need anything baby specific. Definitely don’t buy anything labelled as baby food, all ultra processed.

Absolutely no need to blend oats. She might not have any teeth but those gums are super strong!

Have a look at this guide from the Caroline Walker Trust for done ideas of first foods to try over the next few days