Just got to grips with milk and now it's solids...!

[Hybrid]

Hi all,

Just needing some advice and probably reassurance with this whole weaning business. DS is 6.5 months (or 29 weeks) and started doing BLW at 26 weeks.

I know we're in the early stages and really, despite not eating a huge amount I know DS is doing fine but I do get quite disheartened at the incredibly slow rate we're going. This is particularly true when I see other kids scoffing pots and pots of puree down without a moments hesitation.

I know all kids are different but when do they generally start getting the hang of and actually wanting to eat food?? I keep telling myself it's all about the experience of food and having fun etc etc but can't help but worry we're lagging behind all the other kids we know.

Also, I think I'm getting all my timings wrong with mealtimes. Our typical day looks like this:

7-8am milk and breakfast
9am nap for half hour
11/11.30am lunch and milk
12/12.30 nap for 1.5-2 hours
3pm milk and another meal
6.30pm milk
7pm bed
10.30 dream feed

I can't seem to delay lunch as DS gets really tired and then refuses to eat anything. Also, I notice people tend to offer a meal at 5pm but by then DS is generally really tired again which obviously doesn't bode well for meals.

What do other people do regarding timings?

The other thing is reducing milk (he gets 5x 7oz bottles of formula) - should I be doing this now? Would this encourage him to eat more? If not, then when should I be reducing it? And when should I be offering water as I'm paranoid that water will put him off his next feed!!!

So sorry to sound ridiculously neurotic but any advice would be appreciated!

I didnt give milk and a meal together so meals tended to be an hour or more after a milk feed e.g.

7am - milk
8am - breakfast
11am - milk
12pm - lunch
3pm - milk
5pm - dinner
7pm - milk

I didnt reduce milk as my lo's did it by themselves as their solid intake increased. The milk feeds were then replaced with a snack and drink of water. I offered a small amount of water in a lidded cup along with the 3 meals in case they were thirsty while eating.

Just to encourage you, my DD started BLW at 27 weeks and I was tearing my hair out for the first 10 days or so. She really "got it" (ie obviously actually EATING, and seemingly realising food was good for hunger) about 7.5 months. I was like you at first, and could have cried when I saw all my friends' babies scoffing down their purees, but now it's the other way round - my friends were just talking today again at their awe at how my DD devours. Your LO will get it, just keep plugging away as you're doing.

I am in the same place. Twims are 7.5mo and BLW. I'm really struggling to fit in meals, particularly as it's twice the mess and twice the likelihood of one being tired/wanting milk instead/just not in the mood. I particularly struggle to get meals in around sleep.

I'm trying to just go with the flow. Some days we don't manage every meal and I know that means that they will take longer to wean off milk, but I'm just thinking that as long as they are well and happy, thats OK.

I also I suspect it will become easier to fit in meals when they are slightly older and stay awake for long/drop a nap - that might account for why people often say that BLW babies start eating with more purpose at 9months?

Thanks for all your replies.

Strangely enough Seona, my LO seemed quite awake yesterday so gave him a meal at 5pm which he managed quite well so will start trying that and also giving milk separately which I know others also do.

Wicketkeeper - thanks so much for the encouragement. I think if we were left to our own devices in our own little bubble, not seeing what other babies did, I'd be a lot less bothered about it which is silly.

And Mrs F - twins?? I can imagine how hard that must be and co-ordinating the two must be so tricky.

We're having fish tonight so will see what he makes of that!!

Thanks again.

It is tricky, but I'm hoping it will pay off in the long run as I will spend less time feeding them and they will be good eaters as toddlers