Post by @thewritermama.ke

I was so clueless and put my baby's gut health on the line for just winging it and walking into weaning blindly. Here are a few mistakes that I dis out of ignorance. 1. Started too early I started weaning my baby before 6M, I had low milk supply and so I saw fit to start offering her food but I could've just supplemented with formula. Unless really necessary, wait 6M, starting too early could compromise their digestive tract. 2. Offered lots of uji (porridge) and starch I gave uji, Irish potatoes, Matoke, sweet potato, butternut and slept on proteins and vegetables. A balanced meal is important for babies from the very beginning. 3. Not giving textured food For the first two months, she was purely on purees, however after the first month, I could've added a little texture to her food just so she can learn to move food in her mouth and chew a little. Their gums are stronger than we think!😅 4. Slept on iron rich foods Lack of iron is the epitome of a lot of poor feeding habits, they need a lot of iron as soon as they start weaning. 5. Feeding sets Safe feeding equipment is necessary. I started with teaspoons and plastic cups which is actually dangerous for babies, i got her her silicon feeding set at 9months, but sooner is best. Soft spoons, BPA free dishes that won't release harmful chemicals to babies. 6. Cooking oils that are safe for babies While starting to cook fried food for her, imagine I used the kawaida vegetable oil. Woooi, this greatly impacted her gut health, not all oils are safe for babies food. Most have additives nd are highly processed for babies. 7. Not serving her from the family pot Honestly, from 7+ baby should be eating some of the foods from the family pot, I cooked her food separately for so long! Just reduce on spices and salt and use safe oils for cooking and you'll be good to go. 😁 8. Fed her for too long! Let baby explore, touch food, make that mess...it is the only way they will learn how to feed themselves. Feeding them is fast and clean but it is through the mess that they will learn how to hold that spoon and direct it to their mouth. 9. Fed her all the time😂 I didn't create a routine around her meals and I would feed her almost every hour, a fruit here a spoonful of food there and I thought she had an appetite problem because she'd eat so little every time, while I wasn't giving her body enough time to digest the food well and let her be hungry enough for her next meal. 10. Introducing allergens Egg, peanut butter and dairy are among the most common allergens. I introduced egg at 8M, yoghurt at 9M and peanut butter waaay later, however, doing it earlier creates some tolerance with their little bodies, a little after 6M is okay. In short, I was just winging it! And hoping that I was doing the right thing but I'm sure in between the trial and error, I compromised her gut health. Fortunately, you don't have to go in blindly. #17monthsold #mealideas #weaningjourney #momlife #MomsofTikTok