Finally bought that High Chair.....

...then sent it back and bought another one.

We have moved the dining table back into position (instead of against the wall) and have put Jamie’s new highchair at the head of the table. No more eating in his baby walker while watching Escape to the Country in the front room. We had our visit from one of the Nursery Nurses (as promised by the Health Visitor) and she pointed out some of our (obvious) failings in our feeding of Jamie. We need to make a conscious effort to:

All sit at the table. Jamie should now be eating (just about) the same as the rest of the family. Not to rush our meals.
Have 3 meals a day with finger foods in-between i.e. soft fruit, veg, rice cakes etc.
Aim for different tastes and textures.
Encourage Jamie to feed himself whenever possible, even though there may be more of a mess; he will enjoy it.
Give food before milk.
Milk is not a food; it’s a drink. Water is a drink. Give Jamie a beaker of cooled, boiled water. The more food your baby eats the less milk they will need.
Organisation is key!

I think what I have been getting so stressed out about is the overload of information that seems to hit you from every angle; Health Visitors, friends, family, emails, the internet, books etc. I just wasn’t sure what I should be doing and Jamie had a few days when he would not eat Stage 2, gagged on his food, or simply just threw it all back up again. I found it all a bit scary. One of the many pieces of literature I picked up at the hospital said; It is important to introduce mashed small, soft pieces to encourage your baby to chew. Try to do this before 10 months because babies introduced to lumpy food after 10 months eat a smaller range of family foods and are more likely to have feeding difficulties. I was beginning to panic!

Borrowed Annabel Karmel's Top 100 Baby Purees, Ebury (2005) from a friend and although I decided against getting involved in the puree side of things the summaries at the start of each chapter were useful; Second Stage Weaning: 7-9 months: Try peeled apple, pear, banana, seedless grapes, dried fruit, steamed or raw veg (sticks of) or cucumber, broccoli, cubes of cheese, fingers of toast, mini sarnies, rice cakes

Growing Independence: 9-12 months. This is a time of growing independence (Annabel says) and you may find your baby will increasingly insist on feeding himself. Offer finger foods as part of his meals to give chewing practice and encourage him to feed himself. Give steamed or raw vegetable sticks or fresh fruit. His diet can now include virtually all the same foods as the rest of the family, apart from added salt, lightly cooked eggs, unpasturised cheeses, low fat or high fibre products, whole nuts and honey. If your baby is on the move you may need to increase the amount of food you give. Make sure his diet includes full fat dairy products in addition to fruit and vegetables. Babies only have small stomachs and need to be fed at regular intervals. Try to dispense with bottles by the time your baby is a year old, apart from perhaps one at bedtime. Encourage them to drink from a cup or beaker – it is better for their teeth.

The Health Visitors also suggested scrambled egg, potato mash, melon fingers (good when teething), ice cream, jelly, custard and emphasised the need for Jamie to be able to play with the food himself; which may lead him to eventually want to feed himself. Auntie Hannah came up with a good idea; give him another spoon to play with / use, while you are feeding. I read somewhere else that said chasing foods round a highchair tray is good practice for hand and eye coordination skills!!

An NHS leaflet we were given on Weaning suggested from about 9 months; Try to include 3-4 servings of starchy food each day; potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and at least 3-4 portions of fruit and veg and at least 2 portions of meat, fish, egg or pulses.

To some people this all might seem a little bit too obvious, but as most of my friends know, I am the world’s worst cook and have never had any sense of what should be eaten with what. Up until now me and Daddy have existed on a variety of convenience foods and the occasional take away. I wouldn’t know where to start with a full meal. I did put on my list of ‘Things to do before I am 40’ http://grumpymumtobe.blogspot.com/2008/09/in-my-40th-year.html about cooking a full dinner party menu but I can’t see that happening anytime soon!!