Weaning your baby chat

Only wants milk?
hw2004
I'm worried that my baby will only drink milk. I've tried giving him juice or just plain water but he acts as if I'm trying to choke him. He's not drinking much at all, as after he's eaten his solid food, he's too full to want the milk. What can I do to make sure he's getting enough liquid?

judith_wills You don't say how old he is, but this is quite a common problem in the early stages of weaning. Try giving him a drink before you feed him. He is used to having milk as a source of food, so if he is full up then he won't be so interested in the milk as a drink. When you first start offering water it is a 'new' thing and so some babies will baulk at it at first but DO keep trying. Again, offer frequently throughout the day and before a meal or snack rather than after. I promise you that the problem will get sorted but whatever you do don't start offering sweet drinks in desperation. He only needs milk and water - even juice isn't necessary.

Not eating anything
callade
My daughter Kiera is eight months old and for the past few weeks she has hardly eaten anything. She was breastfed for the first six months and then I started introducing baby rice and vegetables and fruit purees. She enjoyed these so I started following meal plans from Annabel Karmel's book.

To begin with everything was fine and she ate everything happily. Then she would eat a couple of mouthfuls before refusing to eat any more. Now she is refusing to eat anything.

I have spoken to the health visitor who thinks she might be teething and has now advised me to stop the solids for a week and just breastfeed, then start from scratch again. Any suggestions?

judith_wills
Sounds like your health visitor is probably right and her advice is good, so I don't really want to contradict that, especially as she knows you and your baby and I don't. Be assured you are not doing anything wrong; this is a common problem and the only advice I can add is 'don't panic' - if Kiera isn't back to solids in a couple of weeks then your health visitor will no doubt have more good advice to offer.

Ready Brek and Weetabix
cl-gail.ashley
We've had many discussions on the boards about giving babies from about six months Ready Brek and Weetabix for breakfast. What's your opinion about these?

judith_wills I think they are fine as part of a balanced diet as long as the baby doesn't have a gluten intolerance (found in wheat, oats, barley and rye). I'd still give baby rice as a major part of the breakfast programme for now. Making your own porridge from oats is a good idea - porridge is very low in salt which is ideal.