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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

Weaning Books - Annabel Karmel or Gina Ford

29 replies

katherine2008 · 12/01/2009 15:04

hi, i'm looking for an easy to use Weaning guide with advice on how much food to replace for milk etc at what age etc... ie weaning for dunces! can anyone suggest which might be better - I have Annabel Karmel's 100 purees already as a gift.. thank you!

OP posts:
AmIOdetteOrOdile · 12/01/2009 15:05

I found Gina's very helpful, and am about to use it again for DS3

bitofadramaqueen · 12/01/2009 17:16

Gina's is very helpful if you're looking for step by step guide on milk feeds, weaning etc. I have the 100 purees book, and it full of good purees to get started with if.

ja9 · 12/01/2009 17:22

i used gina's timetable but annabel's recipes.

i found annabel's timetable v confusing and complicated.

Original poster
katherine2008 · 12/01/2009 17:47

thank you that is so helpful.. gina it is

OP posts:
HolidaysQueen · 12/01/2009 18:05

I'd get both from your library then either decide which to buy or just use the library ones - I found I only really needed them for the first month or so. My library had loads of books on weaning - the best one I found was actually Feed Me by Gerri somebody or other.

I didn't do purees, did BLW (babyledweaning.com is great and there is a book by Gill Rapley), but found the timetable type thing in Feed Me very useful.

littleboyblue · 12/01/2009 18:09

I used AK's from the start and got on well with them. The book I got didn't have as much range in it as I would have liked (ds was a keen eater) so I soon got bored. It was only when I bought a baby and toddler feeding book that I realised how complicated AK is. In her book, you have to saute this for 10 mins, mix in that and cook on low heat for 10 mins, simmer for 2 hours and so on, and this other book I bought was all about chucking everything in all at the same time! Don't know where it is now though....

I've heard GF is very good for those of us that needa structure to what we want to do, really wish I'd read some of her stuff for ds.

Original poster
katherine2008 · 12/01/2009 19:55

thank you, that is great advice..

OP posts:
macaco · 12/01/2009 22:45

if you haven't started yet, try Gill Rapley's Baby led Weaning book for a different approach to purees, if you decide to go for purees then I liked AK's (started on purees, changed to bLW) but don't know anything about GF's weaning book.

BumpermightsuetheSindie · 12/01/2009 22:53

I recommend the BLW book too, and when you get it, turn to page 6 in the photos and you will see pictures of my DD!

Seriously though, really recommend BLW. YOu don't even need a book, just the blw blog forums, they're free and full of fab advice.

loler · 12/01/2009 22:56

BLW blog was very useful even for dc3.

But I didn't really use anything - just go with the flow and do what suits your baby. An author won't know your dc as well as you do.

Original poster
katherine2008 · 13/01/2009 16:39

it's more knowing how much milk to keep giving her if I'm giving her purees - but I totally know what you mean. thank you!

OP posts:
BumpermightsuetheSindie · 13/01/2009 16:42

The most important thing to remember is 'food is fun until they're 1'. Basically milk should be the main source of food for the first year, as long as your LO is having as much milk as they want, don't worry too much about what they are eating.

sasamaxx · 13/01/2009 17:09

Another vote for Gill Rapley.
Me, DS (3) and DD (7 mos) are all enjoying the same pasta just now - no special preparation (and using penne - not expensive tiny 'baby' pasta)

Essie3 · 13/01/2009 20:41

I have 2 Annabel Karmel books but I'm really making my own way on weaning! I find her timetables quite difficult and vague, see ja9.
But I'm also using jars for Annabel Karmel. [devil's horn emoticon]

pudding25 · 13/01/2009 21:31

Gina. Weaning guide for idiots It is easy and the recipes are nice too.

NorktasticNinja · 13/01/2009 21:35

Another heartfelt vote for BLW here! The blog and forum already linked to is fab, but, if you'd like to have a book to hand, this is the one.

terramum · 14/01/2009 00:05

Gill Rapley's would be my choice despite not having read it yet....trust her credentials on infant nutrition a LOT more than GF or AK.

My Child Won't Eat by Dr Carlos Gonzalez is a good read I can definately recommend. Title doesn't do it credit - it's a lot more about general infant feeding rather than that specific problem.

pudding25 · 14/01/2009 09:54

Yes, but some people don't want to do BLW. Also, GF has consulted with nutritionsists to write her books and recipes.

NorktasticNinja · 14/01/2009 10:00

I'm sure the OP is capable of deciding for herself pudding! A lot of people haven't heard of BLW so why not mention it's existence?

NorktasticNinja · 14/01/2009 10:00

it's its

Original poster
katherine2008 · 14/01/2009 14:02

thank you all - i have ordered gina already and am going to find time to read up about BLW.

OP posts:
NorktasticNinja · 14/01/2009 14:10

Whichever method you choose, relax and enjoy it! Weaning is great fun

sasamaxx · 14/01/2009 16:51

I quite fancy that 'finger foods for babies and toddlers' book. Is it any good? Does it complement Gill Rapley or is there no point?

NorktasticNinja · 14/01/2009 17:09

No idea TBH! It's probably got recipe ideas but there are plenty of those on Aitch's blog and forum too...

Maria2007 · 15/01/2009 09:39

I find the Gina Ford book on weaning really easy to follow (well I'm just now starting, but I've already finished reading it). The good thing about it is that it gives a very clear plan on when to give what, so that you don't drop milk feeds too quickly. I also have the Annabel Karmel book (the meal planner one) & I think it's nice, it has lots of recipes if you like cooking... but the recipes do sound a bit more complex than the Gina Ford ones. As for Gill Rapley's book (the BLW one) that's advocating a wholly different approach to weaning. However, it's an interesting read & you could get lots of ideas about finger foods & general info about food & feeding, if you're interested in learning more. Personally don't agree that 'food is for fun until 1' and 'milk is all the need until 1' because I've seen no research that really shows this (and the Gill Rapley book, which I've read, although interesting, doesn't really include any such research).

Anyway. Good luck!