A new skill for you and baby to learn together ENJOY (Baby Food Hints/Tips)

Member Name: xnatalie81x

Product:	Baby Food Hints/Tips
Date:	02/02/09 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You get to see ur lil person developing

Disadvantages: Messy Messy Messy

I have three children aged 4.5, 2.5 and 1 and the advice for weaning changed with each of them. The current recommendation is to wait until your baby is 6mths old but it really is something that you need to decide yourself with advice from your health visitor.

My first son was 4.5mths when we began weaning him, my daughter 5.5 mths and my last son was 5mths. Each child had their own needs and you need to be mindful that the foods you introduce must suit their age and development. For example my eldest was on purees because he was only really able to take the food from a sppon, however my daughter (2nd child) was a lot more stubborn, older and more developed at her age and so started on fingers of bread and butter and was feeding herself.

Another issue here is the main milk feeds they have. Breastfed babies tolerate finger foods more easily and sooner because they are used to the gag reflex more so than formula fed babies (due to the position of your nipple in their mouth and throat compared to a teat) - my final child was taking a mixture of purees and finger foods but needed the puree more than daughter due to his age.

I never used baby rice. I skipped this stage altogether and began son 1 on carrot and swede mash/puree and son 2 on purees of apple (microwave apple for a few seconds then squash down with a fork to resemble apple sauce)

Some things to remember are that you do not need to spend hours preparing foods for your baby. An avocado is a ready meal! Just chop the top of and scoop the flesh out with a spoon (make sure you mush it up a bit) instant food on the go. Same goes for banana - squash it up with your clean fingers and feed. Great for on the go mums or those with more than one child and lack of time.

Another great tip is when you cook your roast/any dinner - save a little of each vegetable - mash and freeze in anything you can find and then just take it out to defrost. Also, pretty much all your meals can be adadpted for your baby and Annabel Carmel recipe books are fantastic for getting some good ideas!

Let your child experiment. Feed them the first few mouthfuls to satisfy their hunger and then let them feel the food and enjoy trying to get some into their mouths. Practice makes perfect and although it looks like mess to you, to them it is a new skill they are mastering - just keep baby wipes handy and make sure they aren't on carpet :)

Summary: You will look back on their first tasted and it will bring a smile to your face - be relaxed and enj