Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

The Weaning Thread

11213151718

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 612 ✭✭✭Ocean Blue


    What's the story with giving babs water? I'm only starting weaning in the next few days and baby currently only gets milk, no water. Tried it twice in the early weeks when pooing was irregular but she hated it and was windy afterwards. She never needed it afterwards so didn't bother trying again. But I assume once she's on solids she needs extra fluids?

    Obviously, it needs to be cooled boiled water. But how to manage it? Does the same rule apply as to milk........Once a drink is started it must be disposed of after 2 hours? Or can she have a little beaker on the go all day??

    I'm thinking of making a bottle of maybe 6oz each evening when I'm making bottles. Then just decant into her beaker as required. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what worked well for them?

    Thanks!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭pwurple


    What age is the baby? I started weaning at 6 months and gave the sippy cup about a month later with cold tap water. Never boiled it at that stage as she had been licking the floor and absolutely everything she touched for a while then.

    I give her the cup with meals and throw away the water afterwards as soon as we are away from the table. I think walking/crawling about with a cup might knock out their teeth if they fall... And I want them to have good table manners, so we only eat or drink at the table.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 612 ✭✭✭Ocean Blue


    pwurple wrote: »
    What age is the baby? I started weaning at 6 months and gave the sippy cup about a month later with cold tap water. Never boiled it at that stage as she had been licking the floor and absolutely everything she touched for a while then.

    I give her the cup with meals and throw away the water afterwards as soon as we are away from the table. I think walking/crawling about with a cup might knock out their teeth if they fall... And I want them to have good table manners, so we only eat or drink at the table.

    She is over 5 months. Actually since I posted a weaning book I found suggested 6 months to be appropriate. Like you I would mainly intend giving water after meals to aid digestion. When I mentioned a cup for the day, I just meant in terms of whether I need fresh sterilised water for each meal. I'm not keen on seeing kids trailing around all day with sippy cups dangling from their hand.

    Very interesting about the tap water, that makes sense. Plus so easy!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 776 ✭✭✭seventeen sheep


    We use bottled water mostly, as I don't like the tap water where we live myself, so we always have bottled water in the house. However he's in creche five out of seven days, so they give him cooled boiled water there. I wouldn't have a problem with giving him water straight from the cold tap, though. With the bottled water, you just have to watch out for the sodium, as I think some brands can be quite high in sodium.

    I don't drink tea or coffee so would rarely use the kettle during the day when I'm at home - but, if you do, then the handiest thing would probably just be to stick some extra water in then. If you wanted to use the cooled boiled water to start with.

    You could try giving it in a bottle rather than a beaker at first, to get her used to the taste of it, before introducing the beaker. Also some babies are really fussy about which beakers they use, so don't go stocking up on any one brand!

    I wouldn't be inclined to reuse the same water later in the day. Chances are, if you're offering it with a meal, the baby will get food all over the beaker, and some will probably end up backwashed into the water (I'd imagine.) It just seems a bit unhygienic to me. Maybe have a jug in the fridge, and only pour in a couple of ounces at a time if you don't want to end up wasting lots of water? (Having said that, it can be easier for them starting off to drink from a full beaker, even if they don't actually manage to get through much of it!)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,423 ✭✭✭tinkerbell


    More questions! Not 6 months yet here but I was reading the NHS guidelines and they say to wait til baby is 6 months, can sit unassisted, co-ordinate hands, eyes and mouth, swallow but that all babies won't do this exactly at 6 months.

    What if your baby won't sit unassisted at 6 months? I'd imagine that's the most important one for safety purposes. Is it ok to just wait? What if they aren't sitting unsupported til 7 months? And what's the rush with gluten between 6-7 months? There have been further studies which say there's no need to urgently introduce it. I'm so confused.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,601 ✭✭✭kandr10


    tinkerbell wrote: »
    More questions! Not 6 months yet here but I was reading the NHS guidelines and they say to wait til baby is 6 months, can sit unassisted, co-ordinate hands, eyes and mouth, swallow but that all babies won't do this exactly at 6 months.

    What if your baby won't sit unassisted at 6 months? I'd imagine that's the most important one for safety purposes. Is it ok to just wait? What if they aren't sitting unsupported til 7 months? And what's the rush with gluten between 6-7 months? There have been further studies which say there's no need to urgently introduce it. I'm so confused.

    Hi I can only answer from my limited experience. I started weaning my daughter at just 6 months as she was showing signs of being hungrier than could be satisfied with milk alone. She could sit unaided but wasn't exactly stable. On the floor for example she still toppled over easily. The highchair we used was from ikea and we used their inflatable insert to give a bit more support. She had some hand eye co ordination but wasn't able to pick food up and put it into her mouth until about 7 months. Now I couldn't have waited that long to wean because she was clearly ready otherwise so I started on purées. I'd say just look at your baby. When you try solids at first, see how they react. Are they able to swallow some or after a week of trying do they spit everything out. As regards gluten, I have to say I wasn't even aware of any specific advice on introducing it. I don't have any allergies in the family though - maybe if you do you need to be more careful? I followed a lot of advice from Annabel Karmels weaning book with the recipes. That might be worth picking up as it gives a good indication on what to feed when. Generally though, I was utterly confused about the whole thing until it started and then little by little things just fell into place. Good luck with it!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,423 ✭✭✭tinkerbell


    Thanks kandr10! I am just so confused. I will be waiting anyway til the 6 months but it's just so confusing then with the conflicting advice! Some say" Wait til 6 months but no later than 6 months" - I mean that doesn't even make sense! That's basically saying you need to introduce on the day they turn 6 months which is against what the NHS says (as they say wait til baby shows readiness).

    The gluten thing was told to me by PHN at the 3 month check "make sure to introduce your baby to gluten before 7 months".

    Tbh I'd rather just wait and see how baby is and go with that rather than a rush at 6 months. I breastfeed on demand so want to continue going with my baby's lead.

    God this weaning business is so complicated! Breastfeeding is so simple in comparison! LOL


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,601 ✭✭✭kandr10


    tinkerbell wrote: »
    Thanks kandr10! I am just so confused. I will be waiting anyway til the 6 months but it's just so confusing then with the conflicting advice! Some say" Wait til 6 months but no later than 6 months" - I mean that doesn't even make sense! That's basically saying you need to introduce on the day they turn 6 months which is against what the NHS says (as they say wait til baby shows readiness).

    The gluten thing was told to me by PHN at the 3 month check "make sure to introduce your baby to gluten before 7 months".

    Tbh I'd rather just wait and see how baby is and go with that rather than a rush at 6 months. I breastfeed on demand so want to continue going with my baby's lead.

    God this weaning business is so complicated! Breastfeeding is so simple in comparison! LOL

    You're do right though - take the baby's lead. You'll know when he/she is ready.
    It's really not as complicated as it seems. Once you get started you'll be grand. Try a book with meal planners etc be it the baby led or anabel Karmel. It'll clear it up in your mind. I cook daily for myself but just found it easier to follow a meal plan for a week or so to get it straight in my head. Then I introduced things as we were eating them and integrated the baby's eating with our own gradually. I found the meal planners handy for introducing the second and third meals too to see the guideline quantities of food. Also good for ideas for new dishes.

    I wasn't too caught up on introducing gluten (or any food type really) - it just happens naturally as a progression of weaning generally. I just tried to keep a variety going generally. The only thing I made sure to follow was avoiding the foods that are unsuitable for the various age groups.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 612 ✭✭✭Ocean Blue


    Weetabix vs. Wheat Bisks (Aldi)

    Opinions on salt level? One gives salt level, the other salt and sodium. Yet the figures are almost identical though described differently. Confusing!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,323 ✭✭✭Roesy


    I vaguely remember there being a formula for working out sodium to salt. I think you multiply the amount x 2.5. That'll give you the salt level in mg then divide by 1000 for g. I'm sure if you google it you can double check I'm remembering this properly. The brain is a bit foggy this morning.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 483 ✭✭emer_b


    My baby is just gone 5months and is exclusively breastfed. She's a really happy, content, thriving little girl and she's really keen to try food! I'm the past few days I've let her suck on a slice of pear and take a tiny taste off a spoon and she's crazy about it.
    I know all the advice says to wait until 6 months but what's the real downside of waiting another 3 weeks?
    I know there's no panic to get started but would I be doing her any harm by giving her a few spoons when we're all sitting down to dinner? (I think it's partly due to having a toddler that has eaten really poorly since day one that I'm keen to get a good start this time!)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 774 ✭✭✭CarpeDiem85


    I started weaning my little girl when she was just under 5 and a half months at the advice of my PHN, whose advice I regarded highly. My baby was waking up earlier from hunger and once I weaned her, she was a lot more content. I'd just stick to light puree if you start now.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 483 ✭✭emer_b


    Thanks carpediem, I suppose a little part of me is hoping that she would sleep longer at night once she starts solids. She's still waking every 3 to 4hrs every night. I think it's more from habit than from actual hunger though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 774 ✭✭✭CarpeDiem85


    My baby went through a huge growth spurt when I started weaning her. I think she just needed the extra nutrition. Hopefully with a fuller belly, your baby will sleep better.


  • Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭sulli


    Not too sure if this is the correct place but here goes. Lil fella is year yesterday...have him on cow and gate follow on milk 2! We want to move him to cows/whole milk...but wanted to know whats the best way to go about it if anyone has any suggestions?!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,919 ✭✭✭dori_dormer


    My boy is 1 tomorrow and I was going to ask the same thing!

    I'm sick of making up bottles every night!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,131 ✭✭✭RentDayBlues


    I've only ever moved from breast to cows milk so not sure if it's relevant but I went straight to cows milk for one feed, no issues, but they had been having cows milk since 6 months in breakfast

    I know some people do a mix of formula and milk, gradually reducing formula until it's just cows milk


  • Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭sulli


    this might be a stupid question...so if you are doing half and half with formula and milk...lets say a full bottle of formula has 5 scoops and 150 mls...do you half that to 2.5 scoops and 75mls and the other 75mls with milk?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,919 ✭✭✭dori_dormer


    I would think so! Make up smaller amount of formula and top up with milk?

    My boy was one on tues, saw phn yesterday. She told me I had to get rid of all his bottles and switch to cows milk asap!

    When did you all ditch the bottles?

    Also how many bottles is your baby still on? M fella still drinks about 25oz a day and has 3 proper meals and snacks. He's always starving! He's 12 kilos but not very chubby


    Thanks!


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,323 ✭✭✭Roesy


    I would think so! Make up smaller amount of formula and top up with milk?

    My boy was one on tues, saw phn yesterday. She told me I had to get rid of all his bottles and switch to cows milk asap!

    When did you all ditch the bottles?

    Also how many bottles is your baby still on? M fella still drinks about 25oz a day and has 3 proper meals and snacks. He's always starving! He's 12 kilos but not very chubby


    Thanks!

    My little girl is 15 months. She still gets a morning and nighttime bottle, between those and a cup of milk during the day she probably drinks 20oz of milk a day. She eats like a horse too. Three meals and snacks plus water with food. I'll replace the morning bottle with a cup of milk soon but I'm in no hurry to replace her last thing at night one yet.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,190 ✭✭✭73trix


    I am starting my 23 week old on solids this week but at a loss about how to manage the routine of bottles and solids. He currently goes 6am-6pm. Have almost fully weaned him off the breast so he takes about 4 X 8oz bottles per 24hrs alongside a bf before bed so 5 X feeds in 24hrs. I feed him a bottle when he wakes and then 3-4 hourly thereafter. Will I be reducing some bottles and replacing one/2 with water over time? Do I give solids alongside bottle feed or in between bottles? Thanks.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 774 ✭✭✭CarpeDiem85


    73trix wrote: »
    I am starting my 23 week old on solids this week but at a loss about how to manage the routine of bottles and solids. He currently goes 6am-6pm. Have almost fully weaned him off the breast so he takes about 4 X 8oz bottles per 24hrs alongside a bf before bed so 5 X feeds in 24hrs. I feed him a bottle when he wakes and then 3-4 hourly thereafter. Will I be reducing some bottles and replacing one/2 with water over time? Do I give solids alongside bottle feed or in between bottles? Thanks.

    As far as I can remember I introduced the food for the first week to see how she got on with it, without cutting out any bottles. Luckily she took the food well and then the 2nd week, I cut out her lunchtime bottle. They say to introduce the food earlier in the day as they're hungrier then and I'd give the food first as the bottle would fill them up too much. Sorry it was only a year ago and I've nearly forgotten already. I hope this helps :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,131 ✭✭✭RentDayBlues


    73trix wrote: »
    I am starting my 23 week old on solids this week but at a loss about how to manage the routine of bottles and solids. He currently goes 6am-6pm. Have almost fully weaned him off the breast so he takes about 4 X 8oz bottles per 24hrs alongside a bf before bed so 5 X feeds in 24hrs. I feed him a bottle when he wakes and then 3-4 hourly thereafter. Will I be reducing some bottles and replacing one/2 with water over time? Do I give solids alongside bottle feed or in between bottles? Thanks.

    What about considering baby led weaning and letting baby naturally drop bottles?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 364 ✭✭shivers27


    73trix wrote: »
    I am starting my 23 week old on solids this week but at a loss about how to manage the routine of bottles and solids. He currently goes 6am-6pm. Have almost fully weaned him off the breast so he takes about 4 X 8oz bottles per 24hrs alongside a bf before bed so 5 X feeds in 24hrs. I feed him a bottle when he wakes and then 3-4 hourly thereafter. Will I be reducing some bottles and replacing one/2 with water over time? Do I give solids alongside bottle feed or in between bottles? Thanks.

    I got a book by the dieticians in Temple street hospital called "how to feed your child well " . I find it great... It tells you exactly what to do re: bottles and how much milk to give, also sample meal plans etc . I find it very helpful.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,190 ✭✭✭73trix


    shivers27 wrote: »
    I got a book by the dieticians in Temple street hospital called "how to feed your child well " . I find it great... It tells you exactly what to do re: bottles and how much milk to give, also sample meal plans etc . I find it very helpful.

    Thank you. I will look up that book. Does anyone have any sample feeding routines for a 6month old? I'm not sure how to space out the bottles and solids. Is it a solid before the usual bottle or do you add in extra "meals" with a solid in between bottles?


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,644 ✭✭✭✭lazygal


    I never had a routine of solids. When we started, I gave baby sticks of porridge, veg and fruit, what we ate really, at the times we were eating. Mine were breastfeed so I was never in a set routine of feeding anyway, but remember food before one is just for fun. They should be getting most of their nutrition from milk until one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 787 ✭✭✭madeinamerica


    73trix wrote: »
    Thank you. I will look up that book. Does anyone have any sample feeding routines for a 6month old? I'm not sure how to space out the bottles and solids. Is it a solid before the usual bottle or do you add in extra "meals" with a solid in between bottles?

    I'm just about to start to wean my guy now too so this is just from what I've read: Babies still get most of their nutrients from milk for the first few months of solids and milk (both formula and breastmilk) is more nutrient dense than baby foods. So it is advised to feed the baby milk first then offer solid food. This way they get to try the solids but won't fill up on them and miss out on the nutrients from the milk. I guess as they get more used to the solids they'll take more anyway. Have fun!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,323 ✭✭✭Roesy


    I'm just about to start to wean my guy now too so this is just from what I've read: Babies still get most of their nutrients from milk for the first few months of solids and milk (both formula and breastmilk) is more nutrient dense than baby foods. So it is advised to feed the baby milk first then offer solid food. This way they get to try the solids but won't fill up on them and miss out on the nutrients from the milk. I guess as they get more used to the solids they'll take more anyway. Have fun!

    This is what I did in terms of milk. I more or less did what Lazygal did with what food I offered her after doing a very brief foray into the world of puree. I found that if she wasn't after her bottle then she got too hungry and frustrated in the early days. She dropped oz's/bottles in her own time. At 16 months she still has a morning and bedtime bottle and a cup of milk during the day if she looks for it. She has water with food.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,601 ✭✭✭kandr10


    Came across this. Simple idea but fun!

    https://www.facebook.com/BBCGoodFood/posts/10152880672538547


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 367 ✭✭Marz66


    With BLW, do you introduce one food at a time or a few together? Thanks


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,131 ✭✭✭RentDayBlues


    Marz66 wrote: »
    With BLW, do you introduce one food at a time or a few together? Thanks

    I introduced everything as we ate it. For anything that might cause allergies I used it first thing in the morning so if there was a reaction I'd know. Only foods I held back on were whole nuts and honey until they turned 1, everything else was fair game


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 367 ✭✭Marz66


    I introduced everything as we ate it. For anything that might cause allergies I used it first thing in the morning so if there was a reaction I'd know. Only foods I held back on were whole nuts and honey until they turned 1, everything else was fair game

    Thanks just wanted to make sure I was doing it right. We did 3 days BLW and he had a reaction to something and cos we tried a few foods, I'm not sure what it was. I'm thinking of doing spoon feeding instead and doing it one purée at a time as my nerves are not right after it. Bubs is ok but had horrible rash like sunburn.

    Edited to say I know he would have had the reaction with spoon feeding too but I think I would feel a bit more in control this way.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,751 ✭✭✭mirrorwall14


    Marz66 wrote: »
    Thanks just wanted to make sure I was doing it right. We did 3 days BLW and he had a reaction to something and cos we tried a few foods, I'm not sure what it was. I'm thinking of doing spoon feeding instead and doing it one purée at a time as my nerves are not right after it. Bubs is ok but had horrible rash like sunburn.

    Edited to say I know he would have had the reaction with spoon feeding too but I think I would feel a bit more in control this way.

    Maybe keep up the baby led but only give him one of the foods ye are having at a time?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,339 ✭✭✭How Strange


    I guess even with blw it's a process of watching if they react to anything which is why you should take it slowly to start and introduce the usual allergic foods one at a time. What I like about blw is that food is for exploration of taste and texture until 1 and milk is the man source of nutrition until then.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 367 ✭✭Marz66


    Thanks for advice.
    Maybe keep up the baby led but only give him one of the foods ye are having at a time?

    That's an idea. Though maybe it should be the same one food at every meal for 1-3 days?
    I guess even with blw it's a process of watching if they react to anything which is why you should take it slowly to start and introduce the usual allergic foods one at a time. What I like about blw is that food is for exploration of taste and texture until 1 and milk is the man source of nutrition until then.

    Ya, I like the BLW principles. But I've asked around and no one I know has done it. That's not a reason not to do it but now that I've had a reaction to something so soon, I'm put off.

    I had to get an anti histamine at pharmacy and he said to do the 1 food for 3 days, then another food for 3 days. Purées might suit better for doing that.

    Did anyone else here start spoon feeding solids at 6 months? Just curious did you follow Annabel Karmel guidelines (eg just one purée a day for the first week) or go a bit faster. Her book starts with puréed apple, pear, carrot etc. Should I use fortified rice for iron or could I introduce puréed chicken soon enough?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,601 ✭✭✭kandr10


    Marz66 wrote: »
    Thanks for advice.



    That's an idea. Though maybe it should be the same one food at every meal for 1-3 days?



    Ya, I like the BLW principles. But I've asked around and no one I know has done it. That's not a reason not to do it but now that I've had a reaction to something so soon, I'm put off.

    I had to get an anti histamine at pharmacy and he said to do the 1 food for 3 days, then another food for 3 days. Purées might suit better for doing that.

    Did anyone else here start spoon feeding solids at 6 months? Just curious did you follow Annabel Karmel guidelines (eg just one purée a day for the first week) or go a bit faster. Her book starts with puréed apple, pear, carrot etc. Should I use fortified rice for iron or could I introduce puréed chicken soon enough?

    I used the anabel Karmel book as a reference really and took my cues from the baby. We didn't stick to just one type of purée for a week. As far as I remember we gave carrot or sweet potato for a few days then potato on its on for a few days. Then it quickly became clear she was enjoying solids do we introduced a few different veg in week 2 and various combos of veg. It might be an idea to keep a diary of there's already been a reaction so you can refer back. Even if there were 2 or 3 potential culprits (say if it was a mixed purée) it'd be easier to narrow down.
    Your baby is still getting all his nutrients from milk so don't worry about iron content. Move onto chicken when you're happy he's getting on ok.
    Since he's 6 months you'll be able to introduce finger foods soon. I know there are specific principles behind blw but perhaps using purées and then adding finger food when he's ready would be a good compromise? Again with being that bit older, the purées don't need to stay liquidy for long - you can add more texture relatively quickly and work up towards mashed food or food with lumps.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,919 ✭✭✭dori_dormer


    We did the anabel Karmel here but blw soon took over. Spoon feeding was so stressful and time consuming! We did the fruit / veg purée for a few weeks and then moved on to a bit of meat.

    You have to remember your baby would have had the reaction regardless. I used to give him a few sticks of carrot or raspberries or thin slices of apple.
    He also loved the rice cakes and corn snacks.

    From 6 months all babies are supposed to get finger foods anyway regardless of weaning type


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,339 ✭✭✭How Strange


    As far as I know there's no medical reason to introduce food by puréeing and only one at a time for a week. It's just the norm. Before 1920's babies were breastfed to 18 months and then giving gruel type foods made on a meat stock. That changed as more babies were being given formula milk so it was necessary to add nutrients at a younger age.

    I think blw is becoming more popular. Anabelle karmel seems to be the most famous 'brand' of weaning but parents seem to turn to blw style on subsequent children because it's easier.

    If you want to stick to spoonfeeding then skip the puréeing. A 6 month old can handle a bit of texture so fork mash whatever you're giving.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 367 ✭✭Marz66


    Thanks all, that's really helpful.

    I think maybe starting with purées but moving quickly to finger foods and lumps might work best for me. Eg once I know he can take apple purée I could give the thin apple slices as finger foods.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭pwurple


    Marz66 wrote: »
    Thanks all, that's really helpful.

    I think maybe starting with purées but moving quickly to finger foods and lumps might work best for me. Eg once I know he can take apple purée I could give the thin apple slices as finger foods.

    Marz66,
    what might be helpful to identify allergies is the list of 14 food allergens.



    https://www.fsai.ie/legislation/food_legislation/food_information/14_allergens.html


    Gluten
    Shellfish (crustaceans - prawns, crab etc)
    Shellfish (Molluscs - Mussels, squid, Snails etc)
    Eggs
    Fish
    Peanuts
    Soy
    Milk
    Nuts
    Celery
    Mustard
    Sesame
    Sulphites
    Lupins


    For us, it was egg first (very common in the under 4's), and later we discovered a mild nut allergy.


    If you've a rough idea of what it is, I highly recommend getting it confirmed by an allergy specialist, who can come up with a treatment plan. Our daughter is now allergy free, she was fully tested in the hospital every few months, and at age 3 she stopped reacting.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 787 ✭✭✭madeinamerica


    Marz66 wrote: »
    Thanks all, that's really helpful.

    I think maybe starting with purées but moving quickly to finger foods and lumps might work best for me. Eg once I know he can take apple purée I could give the thin apple slices as finger foods.

    I've heard that apple can break off into hard chunks so it isn't a good finger food at the start. But if you microwave it first for a few secs it softens it. I haven't tried it yet as we're just starting weaning too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,339 ✭✭✭How Strange


    Slices of pear, banana sticks, steamed broccoli, steamed carrot sticks and pieces of toast are good starter finger foods. At the beginning most of it goes on the floor and whatever goes in comes back out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,601 ✭✭✭kandr10


    I never noticed before having a baby that a banana splits nicely into thirds lengthways :-)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 367 ✭✭Marz66


    Thanks for the tips, great thread :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,190 ✭✭✭73trix


    Still struggling with routine for weaning. Afternoons the hardest. My guy goes to bed at 6. How should I work his last solids? I want him to take his bottle before bed but he hasn't been taking it as I assume too full from last solids. Currently I give his breakfast about 8/8.30; lunch 11.30/12.

    What do you do when out and about ? I have found I ended up missing the last solid as I couldn't get timing right. Is it okay to miss one and give a bottle instead? Someone suggested making it up at bedtime by giving some baby porridge with last bottle. Thanks.
    ????


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,339 ✭✭✭How Strange


    I honestly wouldn't stress to much about it. It's always a bit haphazard in the first weeks and I found on both of mine that a routine fell into place around 9 months. Your little one doesn't 'need' his solids 3 times a day. He needs his milk for nutrition and his solids are for taste and exploring regardless if whether you're spoonfeeding or doing blw.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,601 ✭✭✭kandr10


    Yeah well said how strange.
    Don't put porridge in the last bottle, there's no need really. If he's hungry give him more milk.
    If he goes to bed about 6 why not try the last solids at say 3 or 4? That could be something simple like a few spoons of yogurt with fruit, a mashed up banana (or fingers if he's able) both are easy to give when out too. If I was out for lunch I'd either bring a pot of stuff I'd prepared if I knew there was going to be somewhere to heat it or else I'd use those Ella's kitchen pouches with the recloseable spout. You can squeeze those directly onto the spoon so it's not too messy when you're out. If you do blw any of the finger foods are transportable. What do you usually give as the last solid? Could it be too filling maybe? Could you try something smaller/lighter so he's still hungry enough for the bottle?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 364 ✭✭shivers27


    73trix wrote: »
    Still struggling with routine for weaning. Afternoons the hardest. My guy goes to bed at 6. How should I work his last solids? I want him to take his bottle before bed but he hasn't been taking it as I assume too full from last solids. Currently I give his breakfast about 8/8.30; lunch 11.30/12.

    What do you do when out and about ? I have found I ended up missing the last solid as I couldn't get timing right. Is it okay to miss one and give a bottle instead? Someone suggested making it up at bedtime by giving some baby porridge with last bottle. Thanks.
    ????

    My 7 month olds routine is :
    8am 6oz bottle
    0830 weetabix with banana
    1200 6oz bottle
    1300 lunch - dinner type meal ie mashed potatoes with veg followed by fruit pot
    1600 4oz bottle
    1700 dinner and desert
    1800 yogurt
    1845 7oz bottle and bed

    If you're out and about just bring a jar of food or Ella pouch or a home made meal. No need to heat as it will be fine at room temp.


  • Registered Users Posts: 142 ✭✭veggie newbie


    Considering doing blw and will need to start in a few weeks. Can anyone recommend a good reference site or book on how to do this? Still breastfeeding at the moment, baby hasn't managed to master a bottle yet (tried pumping but she can't manage the different suck mechanism). Might have to start her on solids soon and not sure where to start if attempting the blw. Thanks.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,919 ✭✭✭dori_dormer


    There's a great baby led weaning Ireland Facebook page. They have links to the recommended books and philosophies.

    The main one is though to not start until 26 weeks. Unless the baby is totally ready ie sitting unaided, grasping and brining things to their mouth etc. then you might start a week early but it's not really a good idea.


Advertisement