The Weaning Thread

Xdancer · 23-11-2013 12:20pm

Lasagne or spaghetti bolognese (if you mix the sauce and pasta together it freezes and defrosts well)

Digs · 25-11-2013 12:15pm

I've been giving my 7month old half a weetabix in the morning which she loves but I am not loving the nappy that follows half an hour later. This mornings offering ended up slathered in her hair, I almost had to dunk her in the bath upside down (sorry!!) so time to move on from weetabix!

Any ideas for brekkie? I had been giving her baby plum porridge before hand but I'd say she's sick of it at this stage!

Nead21 · 25-11-2013 12:27pm

Digs i give my 7 month old Readybrek. We gave him some boiled egg mashed with beans Saturday morning. He liked the beans but wasnt overly impressed with the egg.

Gee_G · 25-11-2013 12:32pm

Digs wrote: »

I've been giving my 7month old half a weetabix in the morning which she loves but I am not loving the nappy that follows half an hour later. This mornings offering ended up slathered in her hair, I almost had to dunk her in the bath upside down (sorry!!) so time to move on from weetabix!

Any ideas for brekkie? I had been giving her baby plum porridge before hand but I'd say she's sick of it at this stage!

The nappies get better with the weetabix, I thought I was going to have to stop it because I started to think it wasn't agreeing with him so every second day I started giving my little fella porridge. Just ordinary porridge as he wouldn't entertain ready brek! Now at 15 months he has weetabix every day, in fact, its the only meal of the day he gets excited about

Digs · 25-11-2013 12:44pm

Thanks girls! Interesting to know about the weetabix, I may persevere as she does get pretty excited when she sees it.

Need never thought of beans, I need to start getting more adventurous with her, her skin was a bit dodgy for a while so I was taking it really easy but seems to have cleared up now

yellow hen · 25-11-2013 1:03pm

Just regular beans? Must try it. Does anyone make the Annabel Karmel fish fingers with cornflakes? What are they like? Could you freeze them?

How Strange · 25-11-2013 6:21pm

Regular baked beans are quite high in salt and sugar so probably aren't the best for babies under 1.

You could try make your own. I had beans in tomato sauce in a restaurant recently and I've been meaning to try make it myself ever since.

yellow hen · 25-11-2013 6:49pm

How Strange wrote: »

Regular baked beans are quite high in salt and sugar so probably aren't the best for babies under 1.

You could try make your own. I had beans in tomato sauce in a restaurant recently and I've been meaning to try make it myself ever since.

Thabks how strange. I had them in the cake cafe in Camden st and subsequently made them and they were lovely.

Nead21 · 25-11-2013 7:43pm

He only had a teaspoon of beans. I mixed it in with the egg to try something different. He's not very bothered with egg.

He loves ready brek though.

Digs · 26-11-2013 4:33pm

I gave her a tsp of the no added sugar beans mixed with some scrambled egg and she literally nearly bit the spoon out of my hand. Big hit here so thanks for the idea nead!

Am going to make my own so searching for a good recipe unless someone has one to share?

Rice cakes also a big hit today, it's like a light switch has gone off in her head the past day or two, she is big into food!

Edit to add: Just found this recipe so might give it a go at the weekend

http://onehandedcooks.com.au/recipe/baked-beans/?doing_wp_cron=1385480539.5514910221099853515625

yellow hen · 26-11-2013 7:31pm

Digs wrote: »

I gave her a tsp of the no added sugar beans mixed with some scrambled egg and she literally nearly bit the spoon out of my hand. Big hit here so thanks for the idea nead!

Am going to make my own so searching for a good recipe unless someone has one to share?

Rice cakes also a big hit today, it's like a light switch has gone off in her head the past day or two, she is big into food!

Edit to add: Just found this recipe so might give it a go at the weekend

http://onehandedcooks.com.au/recipe/baked-beans/?doing_wp_cron=1385480539.5514910221099853515625

I think I have a bean recipe so will check later.

I made fresh salmon fingers with egg and breadcrumbs last night and cooked them on the pan. They're in the fridge since. Would they be still ok for the baby tomorrow eve?

Neyite · 26-11-2013 9:29pm

yellow hen wrote: »

I think I have a bean recipe so will check later.

I made fresh salmon fingers with egg and breadcrumbs last night and cooked them on the pan. They're in the fridge since. Would they be still ok for the baby tomorrow eve?

Absolutely. Heat them up well and let them cool before giving them to the baby, rather than heating slightly is what I'd recommend though.

yellow hen · 26-11-2013 9:49pm

Neyite wrote: »

Absolutely. Heat them up well and let them cool before giving them to the baby, rather than heating slightly is what I'd recommend though.

Thanks neyite. Although I love fish, I have no confidence in cooking it! Terrified ill make the little man fish.

Today was his first time to ever have a fish finger and the crèche said that although he made a face on his first bite, he lapped it up after that. Little sweetheart is incapable of refusing anything.

yellow hen · 29-11-2013 9:09pm

Girls how many ounces of milk does/did your 9 month old take? I think I read on a HSE leaflet that they should still have about 21ounces, which is what I've been making for my son. He doesn't actually want it though and im thinking of dropping his lunchtime bottle which is 3oz. He'll then have his earky morning, breakfast and tea bottles. Do you think this is ok?

Xdancer · 29-11-2013 9:38pm

At 9 months my daughter was having 2 7oz bottles a day - one in the morning and one before bed. She was getting plenty of dairy from cheese and yoghurts too.

yellow hen · 29-11-2013 9:49pm

Xdancer wrote: »

At 9 months my daughter was having 2 7oz bottles a day - one in the morning and one before bed. She was getting plenty of dairy from cheese and yoghurts too.

Thanks xdancer. He's lactose sensitive so I've been avoiding dairy but I'm going to try yoghurt again tomorrow.

On a side note, I was just reading annabell Karmel there for some new food ideas and some recipes use milk eg. Pancakes. Is that whole fat dairy milk or formula milk? I always thought a baby couldn't have dairy milk until there were more than 1

Ms2011 · 29-11-2013 10:23pm

Cow's milk can be used in cooking for 6 months+.

cant26 · 02-12-2013 12:26pm

Hi all. I started weaning my 6 month old over a month ago. I think I might be going to slow. He's had an ok variety of puréed veg very little fruit and baby porridge. That's it!

Everything he eats is puréed. The consistency has gotten thicker but no lumps yet. Any tips on how/when to introduce different textures would be greatly appreciated. I don't think I'm doing great with the whole weaning process!!!

How Strange · 02-12-2013 5:53pm

Perhaps start mashing the food with a fork rather than puréeing.

Also give little fingers of toast when he's sitting in his high chair.

We're doing a combination of spoon feeding lumpy food and finger food.
I've given her chunks of scrambled egg, pasta, slices of ripe pear, melon. I also got some baby rice cakes and Ella's kitchen biscuits.

A started crèche at 6 months and she eats the same food as her older brother so chicken, beef, lentils etc. I asked them just to fork mash rather than purée.

cant26 · 02-12-2013 6:52pm

Thanks for all that how strange. I was thinking of starting with a little scrambled egg as it's soft.
I know it's important to introduce lumps as early as possible so don't want my constant fear of him choking to get in his way of progressing!
Would you give the toast dry or put some butter on it?
I made a load of different purées so my next batch will be more mashed as opposed to totally smooth. Thanks again.

How Strange · 02-12-2013 10:00pm

I use unsalted butter except every now and then when I forget and she gets some if mine with regular butter.

loubian · 03-12-2013 11:55am

I'm thinking of starting A no baby rice today. I got the milupa one. On the box it says for every spoonful of cereal, add ten of usual baby's milk! Now this may seem like a silly question but do I add the formula and then add water to the lot, or make up some milk and add it in as liquid?

Gee_G · 03-12-2013 12:17pm

loubian wrote: »

I'm thinking of starting A no baby rice today. I got the milupa one. On the box it says for every spoonful of cereal, add ten of usual baby's milk! Now this may seem like a silly question but do I add the formula and then add water to the lot, or make up some milk and add it in as liquid?

Make up the milk and then add it in warm.

Rachineire · 10-12-2013 12:31am

my LO is nearly 12 months (on the 20th) and i am still giving him 3 5oz bottles per day (with breakfast, lunch and one at dinner)....should i be cutting these out?

Also he still eats mainly purees (thick and lumpy but purees still) he will eat rice cakes and bread and fruit and fish fingers and sometimes a piece of chicken but thats it...he is kinda slow to move on from the puree and im not sure how to move him on to more grow up food....?

How Strange · 10-12-2013 9:54am

Perhaps add more texture very gradually so he gets used to it slowly.

Also if he likes finger food could you try giving him his meals as food that he can pick up and feed himself?

I never puréed food for my son and my daughter refuses to be spoonfed so were straight into finger foods again.

Pasta and noodles are great foods for self feeding as are roasted parsnip or carrot sticks instead of potato. My son never liked potato as a baby and still doesn't and he's nearly 3. I suppose it's very bland on its own.

yellow hen · 10-12-2013 7:17pm

How Strange wrote: »

Perhaps add more texture very gradually so he gets used to it slowly.

Also if he likes finger food could you try giving him his meals as food that he can pick up and feed himself?

I never puréed food for my son and my daughter refuses to be spoonfed so were straight into finger foods again.

Pasta and noodles are great foods for self feeding as are roasted parsnip or carrot sticks instead of potato. My son never liked potato as a baby and still doesn't and he's nearly 3. I suppose it's very bland on its own.

I am really unadventurous with food. How strange, do you mins me asking if something like carrot sticks are a snack or a meal? If its a meal do you give something with them? In going to try the pasta soon. For a 9 month old is pieces of regular pasta ok?

How Strange · 11-12-2013 8:20am

I think we all tend to get stuck in a rut of giving the same things over and over again.

I'd give roasted carrot sticks with meat so maybe with chunks of chicken or beef. Roasted parsnip sticks were always a big hit with O. He might only be able to suck on the meat but he'll get all the goodness out of it. I gave A a big piece of chicken on Sunday. She sucked away on it for ages and nothing came out so she broke it down herself.

I used to give O bolognaise and the bow tie or twirly pasta as they're easy to pick up. I'd mix the two and put them on his high chair table and he'd help help. Messy as hell but he loved it. With curries I'd do the same with noodles. I wouldn't give too much sauce.

I'm hoping A will just take a few things from my plate at Christmas dinner so there's no need to make something especially for her.

It is terrifying at first but you get used to it very quickly.

Bummppd · 22-12-2013 7:41pm

Hi all, Would like all the advice I can get right now!! My baby boy is 10months, And I'm having major difficulty with finger and textured food, He just refuses them point blank, Apart from Ligas, He'll take a liga in his hand and off he goes chomping away no problem! He picked at a few carrots once or twice but I wouldn't say he actually ate them. I'm starting to get worried now, like I don't want him still eating pureed food as he's turning one!! Anyone help!!?

FunkSoulSista · 23-12-2013 7:50am

I know my little guy is very up and down with food, will take something one day but not another. I found perseverance is key, keep offering different things, don't make a big fuss if they don't eat it.

I think it was on here someone recommended a book on finger foods, got it but just haven't got around to using it yet!

Have you tried giving him a bowl of food with a spoon and leaving him at it, my one wants to feed himself!

JD24 · 30-12-2013 7:47pm

Hi All,

My LO is 23 weeks, I started weaning at 20 weeks. Started with baby cereal which started out ok. Did one feed every day, 1-2 spoonfuls for a week or so then moved to twice a day, 4-6 spoonfuls. For the last few days its been a nightmare, lips clenched tight, refusing with head movements, if I do manage to get some in she gags but will eventually eat it but only because she cant get it out of her mouth! Ive even gone back to baby rice. I had only tried apple, that was as far as i got! Shes just over 5 months. Should I give it a break or persist? Any advice would be greatly appreicated!!

Ms2011 · 30-12-2013 10:01pm

JD24 wrote: »

Hi All,

My LO is 23 weeks, I started weaning at 20 weeks. Started with baby cereal which started out ok. Did one feed every day, 1-2 spoonfuls for a week or so then moved to twice a day, 4-6 spoonfuls. For the last few days its been a nightmare, lips clenched tight, refusing with head movements, if I do manage to get some in she gags but will eventually eat it but only because she cant get it out of her mouth! Ive even gone back to baby rice. I had only tried apple, that was as far as i got! Shes just over 5 months. Should I give it a break or persist? Any advice would be greatly appreicated!!

I personally would leave it a week or two & come back to it, there is no hurry, milk is enough for a baby that young.
The saying is "food before one is just for fun" & she doesn't sound like she's having fun, you don't want to end up giving her a complex about eating. She will get the hang of it but sounds like she just needs more time.

JD24 · 02-01-2014 12:14pm

Ms2011 wrote: »

I personally would leave it a week or two & come back to it, there is no hurry, milk is enough for a baby that young.
The saying is "food before one is just for fun" & she doesn't sound like she's having fun, you don't want to end up giving her a complex about eating. She will get the hang of it but sounds like she just needs more time.

Thanks Ms2011. That's exactly what I was thinking. I'm gonna leave it a week or two and see how we get on then :-)

cant26 · 06-01-2014 1:16pm

Just wondering if anyone defrosts their babys meals in the microwave on the defrost setting? I take my babys lunch out of the freezer in the morning but sometimes it's not defrosted by lunch time. I have used the microwave for just veg but not so sure whether it's ok when there is meat/poultry in the meal.

Neyite · 06-01-2014 3:11pm

cant26 wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone defrosts their babys meals in the microwave on the defrost setting? I take my babys lunch out of the freezer in the morning but sometimes it's not defrosted by lunch time. I have used the microwave for just veg but not so sure whether it's ok when there is meat/poultry in the meal.

I preferred to blast it on full power to defrost and heat through thoroughly and let it cool to a temperature suitable for baby. Then you know that any bacteria has been killed off by the high temperature and its safe to eat.

The best way to avoid food poisoning is to keep chilled food below 5 degrees, and heat to a core temperature of 75 degrees. Inside this range, bacteria can multiply. You should avoid having food for lengths of time inside this temperature range so bacteria cant grow or multiply.

Thats why they recommend you defrost slowly in a fridge, or cook from frozen.

This is a good resource: http://www.fsai.ie/faqs/temperature_control.html

cant26 · 06-01-2014 3:24pm

Neyite wrote: »

I preferred to blast it on full power to defrost and heat through thoroughly and let it cool to a temperature suitable for baby. Then you know that any bacteria has been killed off by the high temperature and its safe to eat.

The best way to avoid food poisoning is to keep chilled food below 5 degrees, and heat to a core temperature of 75 degrees. Inside this range, bacteria can multiply. You should avoid having food for lengths of time inside this temperature range so bacteria cant grow or multiply.

Thats why they recommend you defrost slowly in a fridge, or cook from frozen.

This is a good resource: http://www.fsai.ie/faqs/temperature_control.html

Thanks for that neyite. Whenever I've used the microwave I'd use the defrost setting to thaw and then put it on full until it was piping hot! Just wasn't sure if it was safe. Think i will start taking it out at night to leave in the fridge to thaw overnight.

Neyite · 06-01-2014 5:32pm

cant26 wrote: »

Thanks for that neyite. Whenever I've used the microwave I'd use the defrost setting to thaw and then put it on full until it was piping hot! Just wasn't sure if it was safe. Think i will start taking it out at night to leave in the fridge to thaw overnight.

Its absolutely safe to reheat on full power from frozen too. You might find that baby will refuse something you've defrosted so you need to offer something else, or they may want more once the original portion is eaten, so its good to know you can nuke.

I used to nuke it on full power till hot, then add chilled milk to cool it down. Babies are not known for their patience when it comes to their grub.

Rachineire · 16-01-2014 11:43pm

Im having a small problem here- my little boy is 12 months and all of the sudden my great eater is refusing his food!!

He is ok with breakfast which is ready brek with pureed apple or pear or banana. Then lunch would be a mixed veg mash and some toast with ham or some pasta, the veg mash being the main part of his meal.
Dinner would be similar with the mixed veg mash and then we give him.some fish fingers or chicken dippers or mince or other meat of some.description.
So recently he will eat the meat and the toast but is absolutly refusing the veg mash point blank. Turns his head, clamps his.mouth shut and cries. Now if he is distracted by big bugs band or baby einstein or something i.can get a few spoonfuls in him but other than.that nothing! I really dont want to have to resort to that for every.meal!

im so.frustrated and dread meal times now- anyone deal.with this before? Is it just a phase and i need to sit tight or do i need to change what he eats big time? Not sure what to give him as main portions of meals. He still doesnt want the veg mash even if he is feeding himself. Any advice welcome!!!

(also he has a milk protein allergy and is allergic to eggs so im somewhat limited!)

lmullen · 17-01-2014 12:20am

Rachineire wrote: »

Im having a small problem here- my little boy is 12 months and all of the sudden my great eater is refusing his food!!

He is ok with breakfast which is ready brek with pureed apple or pear or banana. Then lunch would be a mixed veg mash and some toast with ham or some pasta, the veg mash being the main part of his meal.
Dinner would be similar with the mixed veg mash and then we give him.some fish fingers or chicken dippers or mince or other meat of some.description.
So recently he will eat the meat and the toast but is absolutly refusing the veg mash point blank. Turns his head, clamps his.mouth shut and cries. Now if he is distracted by big bugs band or baby einstein or something i.can get a few spoonfuls in him but other than.that nothing! I really dont want to have to resort to that for every.meal!

im so.frustrated and dread meal times now- anyone deal.with this before? Is it just a phase and i need to sit tight or do i need to change what he eats big time? Not sure what to give him as main portions of meals. He still doesnt want the veg mash even if he is feeding himself. Any advice welcome!!!

(also he has a milk protein allergy and is allergic to eggs so im somewhat limited!)

Maybe try some steamed veg batons instead of mashed veg. He might enjoy feeding himself! Adding some cheese to the veg may help too!

dublinlady · 17-01-2014 12:34am

My first refused food around the same age and now is an awful eater at 23 months - we think its cos we stressed about it too much and tried to coax her to eat whereas I think we should have let her refuse it and just gone with it - even if this means she would wake at night hungry - this is so unlikely cos if they miss one meal they tend to make up for it at next! They get a lot if back teeth at that age too which can effect things and also I read that they need less food weirdly as the grow at a much slower rate! I swear your actions now could create a fussy water so I would say - leave her to it - ofer her the finger foods when possible as the love independence and just let her refuse it and don't coax! I certainly won't be this time around - my 8 month old is a fan eater but I know it'll change again!!

How Strange · 17-01-2014 10:59am

This is going to happen so many times over the next two years.

I'd highly recommend you read my child won't eat by Carlos Gonzalez.
It's a fantastic book and will reassure you that it's normal and the best thing you can do is not to stress (easier said than done I know!)

I did blw with my son and I never coaxed. It was my big absolute rule. He still had food strikes, he has foods he refuses to eat like cheese. But he eats until he's full and then stops and thankfully he eats a wide range of food.

I'm spoonfeeding and doing finger food with my daughter as I don't have as much time now that 2 kids have to be fed but again I don't coax.

It's hard though especially when they stop eating and your instinct is to try anything to get them to eat.

That's why I recommend that book. It'll put your mind at ease and take the stress out of mealtimes.

Neyite · 20-01-2014 10:31am

Rachineire wrote: »

Im having a small problem here- my little boy is 12 months and all of the sudden my great eater is refusing his food!!

He is ok with breakfast which is ready brek with pureed apple or pear or banana. Then lunch would be a mixed veg mash and some toast with ham or some pasta, the veg mash being the main part of his meal.
Dinner would be similar with the mixed veg mash and then we give him.some fish fingers or chicken dippers or mince or other meat of some.description.
So recently he will eat the meat and the toast but is absolutly refusing the veg mash point blank. Turns his head, clamps his.mouth shut and cries. Now if he is distracted by big bugs band or baby einstein or something i.can get a few spoonfuls in him but other than.that nothing! I really dont want to have to resort to that for every.meal!

im so.frustrated and dread meal times now- anyone deal.with this before? Is it just a phase and i need to sit tight or do i need to change what he eats big time? Not sure what to give him as main portions of meals. He still doesnt want the veg mash even if he is feeding himself. Any advice welcome!!!

(also he has a milk protein allergy and is allergic to eggs so im somewhat limited!)

Apparently after 12 months their appetite does plummet somewhat. My 20 month old eats far less than when he was 12 months, but they need less as they get older. I agree with not forcing it or coaxing. I would give extra milk on the days he didnt eat so much. I read that you should assess their intake over a few days or a week instead of day by day because one day they will eat next to nothing, and the following day eat rings around themselves.

You could try to change the texture of the veg - whole brocolli shoots or carrot batons might work better.

PuddingHead · 22-01-2014 9:28pm

I've been reading through this thread a bit, but I couldn't seem to find what I was looking for so sorry if it's been asked before,

little fella is 19 weeks today, we're discussing solids, he was premature but the nurse said we could start him from 17 weeks if we really wanted to.

How many ounces should your baby be drinking before you start on solids, the average like?

Ms2011 · 23-01-2014 10:06am

PuddingHead wrote: »

I've been reading through this thread a bit, but I couldn't seem to find what I was looking for so sorry if it's been asked before,

little fella is 19 weeks today, we're discussing solids, he was premature but the nurse said we could start him from 17 weeks if we really wanted to.

How many ounces should your baby be drinking before you start on solids, the average like?

If your baby is formula feed it should say on the side of the formula tin how much your baby should be drink at whatever age.

yellow hen · 27-01-2014 10:05pm

Little man is 11 months this weekend so I'm going to start introducing cows milk to his bottle mid morning. This bottle is mainly used to make his breakfast. As he'll be in crèche for that bottle should I just mix some cows milk with the formula and let them microwave it as normal before mixing with his porridge? Is that ok?

PuddingHead · 29-01-2014 1:59am

could anyone shed some light, I'mfeeding the lo sma first infant milk (yellow lid)

there is sma follow on milk for 6 months old plus (red lid) for weaning,

I've read the tins but I'm still not sure when to change, do I change as soon as I start weaning or do I wait until spoon feeds are in some way established.

lmullen · 29-01-2014 9:21am

PuddingHead wrote: »

could anyone shed some light, I'mfeeding the lo sma first infant milk (yellow lid)

there is sma follow on milk for 6 months old plus (red lid) for weaning,

I've read the tins but I'm still not sure when to change, do I change as soon as I start weaning or do I wait until spoon feeds are in some way established.

The red lid sma is targeted at breastfed babies being weaned. Your lo can stay on the yellow for as long as you want. I used sma too and changed from yellow to red not long after starting solids when the yellow tin had run out. I changed because the red lid goes on offer unlike the yellow lid.

cant26 · 08-02-2014 10:33am

Does anyone have any tips on how to get an 8.5 month old to eat some finger foods! My little guy will eat anything off a spoon but whenever I place any type of food on his high chair for him to eat himself he puts it everywhere but his mouth! He looks at it for a few minutes suspiciously, then he picks it up, then he plays with it. it never makes its way to his mouth.

I'm not sure if I should be worried and I don't know how to encourage him apart from eating it myself. Has anyone experienced this?

How Strange · 08-02-2014 12:13pm

It's probably going to take a bit of time to get the hang of it. I find pieces of toast a great first finger food. Also quarters of pear, peeled and dried with some kitchen roll.

I think you just have to persevere and in a week or two you'll notice more food is going in than is landing on the floor.

cant26 · 11-02-2014 9:42am

Thanks for that. I wouldn't give finger food every day as he has so little interest in it. Starting now though and hopefully he will start to get the hang of it.

He loves pear but any time I buy them they are bullets for at least two weeks then all of a sudden they are spoiled! Was thinking if giving him tinned pear but there is a serious amount of juice in the tin! Thanks again.

How Strange · 11-02-2014 9:49am

I buy the conference pears as they're usually soft and ready to eat even when they look green.

With finger food perhaps give it at non meal times so if you're trying to get dinner ready sit him in his chair and give something for him to hold, squish up and eventually put in his mouth.

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