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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

Baby Led Weaning

48 replies

LuckySalem · 04/05/2008 22:25

I know all guidelines say to wait till 6 months but DD (4 months on Wednesday) is always starving. She drinks 9oz of milk and is hungry afterwards. If I make another bottle which I have done before now she carries on and drinks another 5/6oz of that one.

I made up a very weak set of babyrice for her (looked like slightly lumpy milk ..... lol) gave her a spoonful and then watched her face she seemed to eat pretty much all the first spoon so I left it at that but she started reaching out for the spoon, I put a little bit on the spoon and gave it to her she put it straight in her mouth (again looking like she'd eaten most of it)

I then gave her the spoon with nothing on it incase she just wanted the spoon, she put it in her mouth then almost threw it at me (my DD not dull.... lol) She did this for a few days and then suddenly doesn't want the babyrice anymore but is still wanting more and more milk.

Is that classed as BLW should I carry on (with something else) or is there a better way to help her not be soooo hungry?

She used to have a sicky problem where it seemed like almost most of her bottle came up after she'd had it. I initially thought that was why she was always hungry but We've managed to stop that and she's still eating the same amount as when she was sicky.

I'm really torn cos I know weaning early can be bad but surely if she's doing it herself then she's ready?
Also if I should be carrying on is there something else I can give her that's filling but not too tough on her belly?

Sorry this is long and I hope it makes sense.

OP posts:
PussinJimmyChoos · 04/05/2008 22:31

From what you have said, it sounds as if she maybe ready for a little more than just milk - draining the bottle and wanting more is a sign. You are doing the right thing offering baby rice and don't worry about what you read/hear - go with your instincts and I think they are telling you she is ready for a little more than milk so go for it and enjoy watching her tuck in!

kittywise · 04/05/2008 22:31

I've always given mine 'solids' when they're ready at about 4 months. If your dc is ready then you know that.
Others will violently disagree.
The trend atm is baby-lead( it seems that your baby is giving very clear signals, so that is pretty well baby-lead eh?), at some point that will change and it will change because that's the nature of things, it ALWAYS does
However, you are the mother and you know your child best, be guided by your instinct

Original poster
LuckySalem · 04/05/2008 22:34

So going on what I think then she probably is ready BUT do you think she's stopped eating the babyrice cos she doesn't like it or cos she's not really ready?

I don't know what else to give her as I don't want to give her a dicky tummy but I want her to be happy and healthy.

The few days she took the babyrice she was soo happy and LOUD she's quietened down again now and very wingey.

OP posts:
PussinJimmyChoos · 04/05/2008 22:34

Ps

BLW is when you let the baby have a bit of whatever you are eating and don't do any purees etc if I remember correctly!

With DS I wanted to introduce him slowly to food...started with baby rice which he didn't like, so switched to reduced sugar Farleys and then moved onto things like baby porridge etc and then from there, started him on purees - sweet potato and carrot, turnip and carrot - that sort of thing. Annabel Karmel has a fab book of baby purees that DS liked so worth taking a look through that for some ideas

Hope this helps

Original poster
LuckySalem · 04/05/2008 22:35

Thanks PJC - Can I just puree our food or do I have to buy those pots (they seem so expensive)

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 04/05/2008 22:37

You may want to avoid gluten (found mainly in wheat, barley rye and oats) until your baby is over 6 months. So things like rusks and porridge may not be the best idea.

As PJC says blw is different from your approach.

Original poster
LuckySalem · 04/05/2008 22:38

Right ok, so no gluten (I assume it will be in the ingrediants of things)

Thanks for everything so far and I really appreciate all your views.

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 04/05/2008 22:47

Before 6 months it is best to stick to fairly plain things such as fruit, veg and rice initially imo. We managed to wait until 25 months with our dd2 (but I appreciate that isn't the decision that you feel is right for your baby.)

Most jars are clearly labelled as gluten free or egg free or whatever, and if you make your own purees you will of course know what is in them.

PussinJimmyChoos · 04/05/2008 22:47

I didn't worry about gluten or wheat as I didn't see that much difference between 4mths and 6mths but that's just my personal preference.

You can puree whatever veg you are having but I would start on the easy on the tummy veggies - carrots, sweet potato etc and what you could do is do half puree, half baby rice (a friend of mine did this), that way you get the baby slowly used to the food without sudden overload of veg iyswim? You can buy special ice cube trays with lids from Boots for purees - make a batch, pop them in the tray and freeze them. When you want one - pop in microwave for a minute and bobs your uncle!! You can also start with fruit as well - steam pear until it goes really soft and mix with baby rice - that is said to be nice and easy on their tummies and sweet as well so they like it.

The pots are expensive but fabulous just for when you are out for the day - DS loved the plum baby range!

Original poster
LuckySalem · 04/05/2008 22:50

Thanks all, I think I will have to take a trip to either boots or tescos (DP has discount card ) tomorrow and see what I can find. I'll try and stick to JUST fruits and veg for now and see if it'll make her happier.

If she won't eat this then I don't know what to do with her.

Oh another question - Do I tell my HV and ask her advice or will she just shout at me?

OP posts:
PussinJimmyChoos · 04/05/2008 22:56

Boots do the Annabel Karmel range of puree trays which I did find really useful and Tescos do really cheap hand blenders which are ideal for pureeing.

As for the Health visitor....mmm..it depends on what type you have got....if its a by the book, wean at 6mths on the dot type then I'd be inclined to say don't tell her! Its your baby, trust your instincts and you won't go far wrong - the day I closed all my baby books and just started listening to what I felt my baby needed was the day I started to really enjoy what I was doing!

I can remember my h.visitor getting all sniffy at how much milk DS was getting...I just nodded and promised I would cut it down while mentally thinking oh shut the fark up and then just carried on doing what I felt was best for him

Original poster
LuckySalem · 04/05/2008 22:57

Thats how I feel alot of the time with my HV. I casually mentioned we were thinking of having another baby and she went off on one! so I'm very wary of what I say around her now.

I'll go to boots tomorrow then, will pass some time.

OP posts:
PussinJimmyChoos · 04/05/2008 23:01

Tell her to fark off!

Let me know how you get on and don't be disheartened if she pulls faces at the things you give her - DS hated steamed apple for example but wolfed down anything sweet potato related!! Its all trial and error! A steamer is also a good purchase as well as it keeps the flavour and nutrients in the veg. Doesn't have to be an electric one - you can get on the hob ones for around £10

Good luck!

onepieceoflollipop · 04/05/2008 23:02

at your hv! What business is it of hers if you have another baby! Have twins to spite her.

My recently retired hv was lovely, but I never felt the need to tell her what I was doing unless I really wanted her advice.

Flynnie · 04/05/2008 23:10

Hi Lucky, Sorry but I would advise against BLW. If you decide to wean then fine that?s your decision but stick to purees of fruit and veg.
BLW is only meant for babies of six months +. This is because most babies have strong necks and can sit up if supported,therefore less risk of choking.
more info on BLW

Original poster
LuckySalem · 04/05/2008 23:15

Flynnie your link doesn't work. It's ok, I got the wrong end of the stick. I thought BLW was when the baby took the spoon and fed themselves

OP posts:
welliemum · 04/05/2008 23:21

Try this.

I agree with Flynnie: (for anyone reading who's curious about BLW) feeding a 4 month old baby rice isn't BLW - in fact it's almost the opposite of what you do when BLW, which is to wait until the baby is ready and able to feed themself (usually around 6 months).

Sidge · 04/05/2008 23:24

BLW is when you skip the puree stage altogether and offer chunks of the same sort of food you would be eating, eg fruit, veg, cheese, bread etc. BLW is aimed at older babies (ie 6 months or so) as by then they are developmentally and physically ready to sit up, hold a piece of food and control eating it.

Under 6 months you need to avoid gluten i.e. foods made from or containing wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats. This includes bread, pasta, some porridges, and lots of processed foods.

If you really want to introduce food now it is safer to stick to low-allergen fruit and veg, but bear in mind that fruit and veg contain a lot of water and very little calories, so won't fill her up much compared to milk.

DisplacementActivity · 04/05/2008 23:24

Message withdrawn

Original poster
LuckySalem · 04/05/2008 23:25

So welliemum - Do you think I shouldn't be giving her rice etc? Can you help me with some ideas on how to stop her being so hungry all the time then as in all honesty I don't really want her to have the stuff if it'll upset her tummy but I don't want her to feel constantly hungry. IYKWIM

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
LuckySalem · 04/05/2008 23:28

I bought her a highchair today and she seems comfortable in it. As for controlling her movements - if she can make a spoon go in her mouth then does that constitute safe for something else?

Seriously though - If someone can give me some ideas of how to get her to stick with her milk i'll take it.

OP posts:
PussinJimmyChoos · 04/05/2008 23:30

Lucky - don't worry about the baby rice or trying her on small amounts of puree. It does sound as if she is hungry and it can't hurt to try it and see how she goes - you'll soon learn which foods suits her tummy or not - DS couldn't tolerate pureed blueberries for example - they constipated him

Sidge · 04/05/2008 23:30

I would give her as much milk as she wants, as often as she wants it.

Babies rarely overeat, so if she has 9 ounces and is still hungry I would offer her some more. If she drinks it then you know she needs it

PussinJimmyChoos · 04/05/2008 23:31

Ps

Let her go with the spoon to start with - sounds as if she's doing well to be grabbing the spoon already - bless her

welliemum · 04/05/2008 23:31

LuckySalem - You're her mum and so obviously you're the best person to make the decision.

But it's worth thinking about the fact that at this stage there's nothing you could give her that would be more easily digestible and nutritious than milk.

So if she's hungry, it could well be that all she needs is more milk.

If you think about it, when you want to lose weight you eat lots of fruit and veg and cut out the fatty dairy stuff - this is just the other side of the coin.

Mine went through growth spurts at this age - I just fed them more milk and it settled down. They loved their food (we atarted at 6 months) but they were 8 or 9 months old before they preferred food to milk when feeling hungry. I'm sure there was a reason for that.

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