Weaning novice, well I feel like it anyway! Some questions...

**lucypede** · 20-05-2012, 01:17pm

Well, interestingly after my last thread on weaning which was about whether you can do BLW earlier than 6 months, we weathered Arthur's growth spurt with extra milk. Everytime I tried him with a little taste of food (banana, porridge) he threw up and did not seem to enjoy it at all. So I have left it until he is now 6 months to start properly as per the guidelines.

Trouble is, technically, going on "readiness" i don't think he is anywhere near. He cannot sit up yet, or roll. He can sit propped up for a bit, but gets tired quickly. His hand/mouth coordination is still a bit hit and miss, and he shows no interest in our food at all. He always sits with us at teatime.

When you try a bit of food on a spoon, he spits it straight out (this is the tongue thrust reflex isn't it?)

I think he's just so laid back, he's in no rush to do anything (Penny was very like this!)

So what should I do? Keep offering small bits of food, or leave it until i really think the time is right? Am I risking "missing the window" if I put off solids?

btw he is fully on formula now (BF for 5 months).

**Sam** · 20-05-2012, 01:33pm

I'd definitely wait until a few more of the signs are there (grabbing for food, sitting unaided) and try again then. I think the average is 6-8 months so really no need to worry

**Saffy** · 20-05-2012, 02:13pm

I'd probably wait a bit. Ben was similar - he was a big boy but at 6 months showed none of the 'weaning' signs and whenever I tried him with any food it just dribbled out. In the end he didn't loose the tongue-thrust reflex until nearly 7 1/2 months so had no solids until that point. It was worrying at the time, but doesn't seem to have done him any harm - he eats brilliantly now and despite the HV's frightening me with talk about how he'd never learn to chew he was very easy to wean once we'd got started.

**Oana** · 20-05-2012, 02:31pm

I would just sit him with you at tea time preferably in a high chair if you think he can do it with a couple of pieces of whatever you're having. I think it's more important for them at this stage to just get used to the ritual of eating together and tasting the flavour of food rather than eating it per se.

**lucypede** · 20-05-2012, 03:03pm

Saffy sweetheart - long time no see - how are you doing?

Thats really reassuring, thankyou.

Sam, I think you're right, I'll wait till he seems ready.

Oana, good advice thanks.

**One Sock** · 20-05-2012, 03:08pm

Yes, I think the idea of just offering him bits and pieces when you have your tea is a good one.

I don't think you're going to do any harm in waiting a bit to wean. If he's not at all keen and you persevere now, it is just going to be a pain in the ass for both of you.

**Dr Spouse** · 20-05-2012, 03:59pm

I am even more of a novice than you but people keep asking us if Baby S is on solids now

and obviously he isn't, but I am kind of looking out for the reflex in particular.

We got his high chair because we worked out what we wanted, and he is so tightly wedged in that he couldn't really flop over, and I am assuming the sitting up thing is mainly so they don't choke? Which if they are securely propped up they wouldn't? But there is zero point in putting food in that comes straight back out!