This weaning malarky is a NIGHTMARE!

LucasMummy · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-07, 20:26

Ive been weaning Luca for just over 2 months and its not going very well...

He is a fabulous eater, as long as its only fruit puree Im feeding him! Ive tried lots of different veggies and as soon as they touch his tongue he is sick. And not just the food Ive put in, but properly sick from the belly... he also does this with baby rice/porridge/etc.

Ive tried mixing baby rice or veggies with fruit puree and hes not fooled. Even in miniscule amounts. Hes eaten it once and I thought it was a major breakthrough, but it turns out it was just a fluke.

Ive talked to the health visitor (who I swear, thinks I am a terrible Mum, everytime I take him to baby clinic I leave with tears in my eyes) and she thinks Luca is being naughty and Im not trying hard enough

Im getting worried now thats hes not getting the nutrients he needs and I wondered if anyone else had experienced this? Or if anyone had any advice?

Thank you

x

rachaelmae · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-07, 20:58

what about finger foods? x

LucasMummy · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-07, 21:02

I havent tried finger foods to be honest, maybe that would be better for him... I didnt think he'd be able to cope with them as hes only managed to eat smooth puree, but its worth a try. Ill try anything!

rachaelmae · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-07, 21:09

I was really nervous about finger foods but its good to get them used to them, you can also introduce a mixture of foods and he can assert his independance, which is some times what its all about!

we started with soft fruits, bread/toast/breadsticks, cooked veg/peas
grated cheese, dairylea, mash pot, pasta...

give it ago hthxxxxxxx

LucasMummy · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-07, 21:14

Cool, thanks for the ideas I will try him tomorrow (hopefully with him in his new high chair!) and keep my fingers crossed!

Thanks so much x

Claire76 · #6 (**permalink**) 14-11-07, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachaelmae

what about finger foods? x

I was just about to say the same thing. I think because you've weaned quite late (well you haven't you've done as they say but we weaned Finlay at 11 weeks for various reasons but anyway), but because he's now 8 months, you're going to have to accelerate a bit with his foods to ensure he's getting the right nutrients and I agree that finger foods might be the way. Try things that dissolve easily in the mouth, Finlay's first finger foods were rusks (full of sugar I know but great first finger foods IMO) Organix do a range of carrot sticks, tomato wheels and sweetcorn rings, Finlay absolutely adored these and they're a bit like wotsits so dissolve reallllllly easily. His other fav and still is, is bread, either on it' s own or with a tiny spread of unsalted butter, he sucks it to death, it;s a really good one. Would be really interested to know how you get on. Good luck sweetie xx Oh and P.S. Try to chill, don't worry too much about it all, he's still drinking milk so that's the most important thing, that's full of nutrients etc, it's just Luca may be sensing your anxiety and being a boy, thinks I can get to Mummy if I don't eat!!!!! Finlay went through a phase like this and I used to get worried, cross, concerned and he picked up on it but when I chilled out a bit he relaxed too and started to eat well again.

noababy · #7 (**permalink**) 14-11-07, 14:49

Do you have a baby safe feeder? That way you can stick stuff in it and he can feed himself but not choke. May be worth a try.

This is a link to one type of baby safe feeders-there are other brands:

http://www.babysafefeeder.com/

jules06 · #8 (**permalink**) 14-11-07, 16:10

Is it all foods that you have given him that he is sick from, because if he is intially eating them and then is sick, it might suggest a reaction to a food group. Not the norm but it can happen.

if he is just not eating them, its more likely trying what the other ladies have said, slowly introduce different flavours and textures and finger foods.

its a very frustrating time when they don't just take to it, and you are certainly not alone in this.

Oh and just bob your hv over the head if she starts on you again, each baby is different and some take longer to get there x

LucasMummy · #9 (**permalink**) 14-11-07, 19:58

Thanks for all your replies!

Thing have got a tiny bit better in the last few days. Hes managed to keep a couple of moutfuls down of a few different things. But not very much.

Claire I had bought some of those Organix rusks and been trying them on him every few days for a couple of weeks. He managed to eat half of one today though, yay! (Well, I say eat... most of it ended up in his lap, but its a good start). He has also been eating bread, but only in extremely tiny quantities.

Susie thanks for the link I will check that out...

Jules its ALL veggies I have given him (brocolli, carrots, potatoes, sweet potato, parsnip etc) its all baby rice, porridge etc.. omlette strips, lots of stuff really. He doest refuse ANYTHING but as soon as it touches his tongue, hes sick from the belly.

Hes managed to eat a miniscule bit of brocolli and fish today, so I will just keep trying. Hes gagging when it goes in, but nothing is coming back up, so its a good start

Thanks again girls.

vmalzone · #10 (**permalink**) 15-11-07, 00:41

Hi, I would do two things:

1) see the doctor and demand an urgent referral to a pediatric allergist and a pediatric nutritionist. Not sure where you live, but they work in tandem at our local hospital. Tell the dr. you're sure he has a major food allergy (even though we know he probably doesn't). Then you'll be on your way to getting the medical help you need if the problem doesn't resolve itself (which, of course, it will, but better safe than sorry, especially when referrals take up to 12 weeks).

2) try not to stress too much. I have a dear friend who is a mum of four, and she didn't wean her youngest until 11 months! As long as he is getting enough milk (breast milk or formula), he will get what he needs for now. It's true that you have a limited window (until about one, I think) to get him to start eating well, so he can then get most of his nutrients from food, but don't let it stress you out!!

Honestly, it sounds like a texture thing. I'd steer clear of purees, if you can. Could you try noodles cooked in chicken broth? maybe the really thin ones? Or something dry, like baby rice cakes? Maybe his gag reflex is just going to take a long time to go away, in which case there's not a lot you can do except be patient! Maybe he is really sensitive to certain smells? Who know... Still, worth going down the allergist route, see a consultant, just in case. It can't hurt!