Weaning your baby chat

Nuts?
cl-merith
As many of my family suffer from allergies (ranging from asthma, eczema, nut (walnut/pecan/almond) allergy, hayfever, etc) I have chosen not to give my boys (age three and one-and-a-half) nuts of any kind (including peanuts and cashews) until they are five.

They do, however, have seeds such as sesame seeds and pulses such as chickpeas (ie in hummus) and I've been told by various (non-professional) people that I'm wasting my time by avoiding the nuts, as they can be sensitised by the seeds and pulses.

Is this true? Am I avoiding the correct things, or have the last three years been a big mistake? I'm also breastfeeding my younger son and I too avoid all the same nuts as him, just to be on the safe side.

judith_wills
I'm afraid this is a bit of a grey area because, I think, even the professionals just aren't sure, so some offer blanket advice - avoid it all to be on the safe side.

I think on balance as you have a family allergy history it is much the best idea to continue avoiding nuts along with your children under five.

You're not wasting your time though. If your family are okay with the diet they've been eating, then they are not allergic to these seeds or pulses. Yes, it may be that they could eat peanut butter, etc. as well (no whole nuts under five) but if you are all managing fine without then why start now - better to be on the safe side.

Weaning and allergies
klongland
I have asthma and am allergic to all animal fur, feathers etc. I am weaning my baby girl who is six months old. I am a little confused about gluten, strawberries, potatoes etc as I've read that if someone in the family has allergies, it's best to wait until the baby's six months. However, I've now read more advice that tells me to wait even longer. When is a good time to start introducing these new foods?

judith_wills
Six to nine months is the usual time that the experts say you can introduce foods such as potatoes, gluten-containing grains. Strawberries and other berries are best left until between nine months and a year. Broccoli and most other veggies should be fine after six months. With your history of allergies you may feel happier if you visit your GP and get more detailed and personal advice from the community dietician (ask to be referred).

Fussy toddler
kirsty_c
At 11 months old, my daughter stopped eating all my lovely home-made food and eight months later, she still has quite a restricted diet. I've listed what she does eat and there seems to be food from all the main food groups so I'm trying not to worry too much (cereal, fish, fruit, hummus, kidney beans, cheese, yogurt, toast/bread, marmite, chips, most fruit).

Is it normal for toddlers to stop eating different food, after having enjoyed it previously? And if it is, how long does it usually last? (I don't want a five-year-old who only eats fish fingers and kidney beans!).

judith_wills
This is such a common occurrence as to be almost normal and so I won't call it a 'problem' although I am sure it seems like that to you - we all worry so much about nutrition!

The main thing is to keep offering a range of foods, in very small amounts. If not taken, keep calm and try again a week or two later. Research shows that infants and children under two take up to ten 'tries' to like a food. Try adding vegetables to pureed soups, stews or mix them with meat in a sauce.

It is true that children's preferences are mainly arrived at before school age so it is important to try to get some broad and healthy tastes going - you seem to be very committed to giving your child a good diet and that is most of the battle won.

Most toddlers grow out of their food fad stage by the time they start school.