How do you start weaning?!

[McMamma777]

Our little one is very close to six months old, and I’m so confused as to how you’re supposed to start weaning! I feel like everywhere online has different advice and most of it seems very vague, or maybe I’m just not looking in the right places? With it being our first baby, I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing and really need some help!!

he’s currently on the Kendamil formula so we started giving him the Kendamil banana baby porridge this week which he is absolutely loving already. I just don’t know what else we’re supposed to be giving him, or how much we’re supposed to give alongside his milk too.

What kind of stuff should he be having, how much and how often?? The packets or pots of baby food? Regular food like us? Is there a dummies guide to weaning because I definitely need it 😂 basically dumb it right down for me because I am so confused right now!!

Normal food, but no salt, fewer spices (no chilli etc). No honey until 1yo. Very little sugar, processed stuff, fried stuff ideally. Cut up the chocking risks eg grapes, marshmallows.

Your health visitor must be able to point you to a weaning class.

Annabel Karmen has some books: https://www.annabelkarmel.com/

And any parenting book for that age will have something!

Babyled weaning is the way to go imo. No need to cook separate meals, and baby gets used to a range of flavours and textures from day 1.

The Babyled Weaning Cookbook tells you all about the theory, explains why choking isn't more likely with this approach and suggests the best shapes and sizes to cut food into by age, as well as giving lots of recipe ideas, all designed to feed a family of 3. It was my weaning bible and the only resource I used.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-led-Weaning-Cookbook-delicious-recipes/dp/0091935288/ref=asc_df_0091935288/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310882654267&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11855167530041069085&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9180997&hvtargid=pla-518194053797&psc=1&mcid=2e67107afd1e315983e8d225b2eac909&th=1&psc=1&ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=1bdeaa9f-b5e4-4e07-822c-b34e79992fff

I did baby led weaning with mine. I bought this little microwave steamer pot thing so would steam a couple of broccoli florets, cook chicken breast and slice into stripes, and make omelette fingers.

Basically everything grabbable. The chicken would be batch cooked / used for our evening meal.

I started just putting stuff on their tray at lunchtime while I ate next to them. Just lunches. After a few weeks added dinner in too. Then after a few weeks added breakfast in. I wanted milk to still make up the bulk of their intake, with food just kind of something they could explore and enjoy.

I would advise BLW too. I literally just started popping them in the high chair and offering a bit of whatever I was eating whenever I was eating. I used the solid starts app to see how I should be serving things and tried to be mindful of salt etc but apart from that just went for it!

I just put down small amounts of whatever we were eating and let him faff about with it. For a long time most of it ends up on the floor. He just sat at the table with us at mealtimes and joined in.

Made sure not to cook with salt and we salted our own plates after if need be. Low salt stock cubes. No honey. Solid starts app was useful for knowing how to cut and serve certain foods to avoid choking.

They gradually start to eat more and more over time. Try not to overcomplicate it and definitely don't cook separate meals most of the time, that just becomes a faff

Also be aware that all babies are different. Some still don't eat much at 1 year old, while others start lunging at food from 4 months. Our first didn't eat until closer to 2 (health issues). Low pressure, fun, variety is key (after safety stuff of course). We made it almost to 6 months with our second, until she caught me in a sleepy moment and stole an enormous bite of pain au chocolat..

Thank you all for your help - I just want to make sure I’m doing it properly and do the best for him! He’s a little gem, he loves the banana porridge so hopefully he’ll enjoy other food when we start properly :-) thank you so much again!!