Weaning baby

[destiny121]

Hi ladies... just wondered what you’re all feeding your babies especially aroumd the age of approaching 9months and baby still has no teeth. I’ve been using a lot of the Ella’s kitchen stuff and I’m also terrified to give him certain foods because of the choking aspect. Do you all still use really mushy food at this age? Xx

[Lovefood1984]

We did a mix of purée and finger food, I’d start with things you know they can chew easily such as melty puff type things, banana and then move onto bread, toast etc. I had to just keep trying things, they don’t need teeth but need to learn to chew which takes practice. At a year old we offer soft fruit, breast, toast, crumpets, soreen, melty ‘crisps’, Kiddylicious wafers, raisins (these are safe once they have their pincer grip as it coincides with being developmentally able to eat small things and not choke), peas, carrot batons, sliced meat (I was surprised by this one but she finds it quite easy to chew small bits rather than proper meat chunks) and cake, I can’t think of anything else right now off the top of my head 🤔 (although we do have to avoid a fair few foods due to allergies) We still give mushed up food too alongside and so do the nursery. Oh and if they gag a bit and return the food back to their mouth for chewing this is totally normal, babies are really good a bringing bits back up that they haven’t chewed properly for a second processing 🤣 (does scare you at first but then you find out it’s totally normal and relax more) x

[destiny121 in reply to Lovefood1984]

Ohh I see....it’s just such a scary time isn’t it and I need to let go a little bit. At the moment when I give him finger foods he just crushes it up and plays with it 😬😬

[Hidden in reply to destiny121]

Baby led weaning in the early days (where the idea is to give baby bits of the food you eat and chunks of food rather than purées) is all about baby learning about textures and ‘playing ‘ with food (learning about it) rather than intending for them to eat a meal as such . That’s why formula or breast milk is still meant to be the main source of food.

Babies will gag initially as their gag reflex is further forward than an older child or adult, this keeps them safe.

I’ve found this book helpful with general advice as well as specifics around baby led weaning

amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/009193...

[destiny121 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for this... I’ll give it a go as he won’t put the finger foods in his mouth

At the mo and I’m worrying that I’m not helping his development 😬

[Hidden in reply to destiny121]

Don’t worry, eating is about using all of senses so seeing, smelling and handling the food is all part of the first bit before actually trying to chew etc. If you have baby sit at the table with you too they’ll eventually get the idea from watching you. They’ll get there x

[sweetchild1989]

I was giving my lb things like.... fish finger ( just the middle bit as easy to chew ) hot dogs.... chicken.... macaroni cheese..... spaghetti bowl....mash..... toast ect...... there is so much you can try them....as long as you are happy they can chew on it then its fine..... it is horrible when they first start off as they gag but when they get past that bit it's all happy days.... just take your time xx