Troubles in introducing solids

[KR2105]

My LO is 26 weeks old. I started weaning him from a week ago. So far he liked Rice and carrot mash mixed with rice. While I haven’t tried various different things yet, he hasn’t liked banana or banana mixed with rice. Wondered if I am supposed to persistently try those things that he didn’t like or stop them and try after few weeks? Also, I am only giving him a tiny portion of solids each day but this has majorly impacted his intake. He is drinking around 600ml-700ml milk each day which is way too less compared to what he used to have before. This has been going on for a week now. At this rate I am worried he is going to lose weight drastically. Will check his weight in the next health clinic visit anyway but any suggestions in the meantime? Thanks xxx

[Hidden]

Hi.

Rice might be quite heavy for your baby to digest so that could be the reason why your LO is drinking less. I would suggest trying just mashed veg/fruit. If your little one doesn't eat bananas, dont force it. you can always try to boil some pears or apples and mash them.

And if in doubt, you can always call your health visitor.

Good luck

[Oliversmum]

Did he previously enjoy his milk? If so I would try milk based foods. You can buy baby porridge you actually mix with their formula or breast milk. When maybe some Jared baby yogurt and then introduce some savoury foods carrots peas chicken that sort of thing and you can try sweet fruits like apple pear etc. Personally I buy the fruit puréed but make my own dinners for little one.

[roxannacar]

It depends on how much he's actually eating. Babies do go through phases were they eat less or more. As for weaning in general they only have tiny amounts to start off with as a taste so don't push it if they don't want it, but you can try same food several times before giving up... just don't try to force feed him

[sweetilemon]

Obviously don't force feed but they say it takes 12 times of trying something for a child to get used to it. It's half the point of weaning really so unless they are having a reaction physically I wouldn't rule anything out because they don't like it.

[Lyndsaytw79]

Start them on puréed things, they tend to like sweeter things like sweet potato, butternut squash and fruits etc. Do you mean baby rice? If not normal rice will be too heavy. Just take it slowly, it’s a whole new world to him and a lot of babies are reluctant to wean. Has he been constipated since weaning? Are you giving him water? 700ml is still quite a bit, it’s almost 3/4 of a litre.

[ChrisWest1983]

My boy is 5m and I assume 26w is nearly 6m. To me it sounds you are introducing too much too quickly.

For the first months of weaning I'll introduce steamed+ blended veg purées (pumpkin) - around one veg a week- starting off with 1 spoon a day. Then will ad another vegetable like courgette, cauliflower etc. Then around 7 m will introduce fruits and porridge type food, then at 8 will ad meat.

I was taught that one portion should be 10gr x how old is baby (6months x 10gr is 60gr) and that first months of weaning is to introduce baby to tastes and foods (seeing if they are allergic) rather than feeding them full meals. But I know- each doctor suggest something different so mum must go with their gut feeling.

Some babies don't like banana at first - you can introduce it in a weeks time, sometimes they need to get used to new tastes (i remember I disliked banana!)

I know your worry for example if your baby used to have 900ml a day and now just after eating few spoons of baby rice it dropped 300ml. Probably speak to your midwife / GP about it- they'll be the best to help you understand what's happening!

Good luck with it! I am dreading the weaning process already, though he's showing lots of interest for last month+ when I eat and he nicely sucks Calpol from the spoon and is unhappy when it finishes (but it's so sweet - who would not like it!)

Best luck,x

[KR2105 in reply to ChrisWest1983]

Yes, I was talking about baby rice. He loved it on day 1 but keeps refusing now.

Right now I have stopped solids as his intake was seriously falling down but I will start with a spoon full of baby rice again today.

I guess my LO doesn’t like sweet stuff. The main concerning thing for us is he hates calpol and always makes a fuss in taking it. So we are in trouble when he has fever or cold/cough.

Thanks xx

[ChrisWest1983 in reply to KR2105]

Oh no... I suppose they make Calpol so sweet thinking babies will love it... I sometimes taste my milk - also very sweet.

Poor you / i bet in a months time i'll be confused about weaning too, specially if he will be fussy or refusing take it easy! I know some mums who started weaning only at 8-10 months (when babies independently were sitting) - so, we have plenty of time!

Best luck!x

[roxannacar in reply to KR2105]

Maybe try hiding the calpol in some milk... I bought suppositories when home (in Malta) as you can get paracetamol and ibuprofen supp. Over the counter and they don't cost an eye... they e been a life saver as my daughter wouldn't take the oral stuff and used to have to pin her down and that usually resulted in being spat out again... luckily now at age 2 she seems to like it

[KR2105 in reply to roxannacar]

Thanks. Didn’t know about suppositories. Just found out. Might try it out. Currently we are somehow forcing it into him. He cries out loud though.

Can you mix calpol in milk? Does the milk not curdle? I am however pretty sure he would refuse to drink that milk with calpol in it xx

[roxannacar in reply to KR2105]

The milk didn't curdle but tastes funny!! The problem is if they have part of the milk you don't know how much they've actually taken in and hence can't give them more... I am a suppository convert! Lol sounds terrible

[KR2105 in reply to roxannacar]

Well if suppository works then I don’t see anything wrong in that to be honest. I am hoping my son would gradually start liking the taste of calpol. Or we may have to go down that route too..