Yesterday I went to a weaning discussion at my local Surestart centre. I was hoping that I would come back fully armed with information in regards to starting to give Mads her first food's. Unfortunately although the talk was really interesting and helpful, in a way it did make me more confused.
Mads is going through a 'phase.' She has gone from sleeping through for almost twelve hours to waking every few hours crying and not settling. Sometimes I feed her but she takes about three minutes and then falls back to sleep so I am not sure if it is hunger. Sometimes she just cries and I manage to settle her. Three times this week she has ended up coming into our bed in the early hours of the morning which is what I really didn't want to start doing.
I do not know if it is teething or that she is hungry but something is definitely different. I went and got her weighed this morning and she now weighs 14lbs so she has dropped down the growth chart slightly. I mentioned to her about maybe starting her on some baby rice but she advised that it might be better to give her a formula milk feed at night to try and fill her up more. I have reservations about this though as I have managed to breastfeed her up until now with my fair share of struggles, I think if I can just struggle on another 3 or 4 weeks then maybe I can just start her on food.
I had made up my mind to start Mads on some baby rice this week but after going to the talk yesterday they explained that the World Health Organisation recommends that babies are exclusively breastfed until 6 months and food should not be introduced before 22 weeks at the earliest. Mads is 19 weeks tomorrow. That said I know a lot of babies that have gone onto solids earlier than six months and are absolutely fine.
I have been looking at the Annabel Karmel book series on Weaning which look brilliant so I shall go and buy a few when I next get paid my maternity pay as I think they will help when deciding on recipes. I am going to try and make a lot of my own things for her but also use some of the better brands of baby food. I am looking forward to helping her learn about food and try new tastes and can't wait to start but think I will try and hold off another couple of weeks.
When did you wean your little ones? Did they like food? What was their first taste? I really am looking forward to her trying food but at the same time it is a little daunting. I keep saying I shall make her lots of different meals but this is coming from the girl who can't cook to save her life and finds beans on toast taxing to prepare. However I am determined to give her lots of variety so I would really like to prepare her own food plus use prepared baby food as well. Next mission is to buy a blender!
Wish me look and keep reading to see how I get on!
