Weaning Essentials

Weaning is a wonderful experience for both Baby and Parents, it can however be very daunting. How do you know when your baby is “ready” to start weaning? How do you know what equipment to buy? Baby-Led or Purée? 

Before Florence was even born we started to buy equipment for our weaning journey. Here are some of the things that Chris and I have found to be essential;

 Steamer

It is best to steam all baby food as it preserves all of the natural nutrients. You can of course buy an electric steamer but we just use a tiered steamer on the cooker top. When we made all of Florence’s purées we also used our microwave to steam, we had them all on the go! 

Blender

We were kindly gifted a Tommee Tippee Explora Baby Food Blender and used it for Florence’s first batch of purée. I was excited to use it but we haven’t used it since. Unfortunately, it’s very small which means you can only purée a small amount of food at one time. We found ourselves having to blend each vegetable twice because it didn’t all fit into the container. It also leaked through the bottom and made a big mess on the work surface. We now use a Kenwood Hand Blender which seems to be working much better and means that we can make larger quantities in less time!

 

Ice Cube Trays

Ice cube trays are excellent for freezing small portions of purée. We made up all of Florence’s fruit and vegetables and froze them in silicone ice cube trays, purchased from Amazon. When the purées had frozen we popped them out of the tray into ziplock freezer bags and labelled them with the contents and the date they were made (once purées are frozen they should be used within six weeks). Another good thing about using ice cube trays is you can mix and match the purées to make new flavours, for example you could defrost a cube of Carrot and a cube of Swede to make a carrot and Swede purée! 

 

Bowls

Florence’s feeding bowls are from John Lewis. They come in a pack of five and are brightly coloured to make meal times fun! I really like these bowls as they are deep, easy to clean, stackable, and have removable lids meaning we can use them as lunch boxes too! They are also suitable for freezing and microwave use so we can freeze and defrost her food in them when she’s eating larger portion. The bowls are BPA free so they are perfect for little mouths!

Spoons

Her spoons are also from John Lewis and match her bowl set. Again, the spoons are brightly coloured and BPA free. The tips are soft so they are very gentle on Florence’s gums and they are small enough to fit into her mouth. They are fairly shallow which makes the transition from sucking to taking a spoon a little easier! 

Highchair

We use the IKEA Antilop Highchair with the Support Cushion insert. I done a lot of research on highchairs and this type seemed to come out on top every time. It’s easy to clean, compact, has a large tray, and at £13 it is an absolute bargain! I was a little worried that it didn’t have a five point harness but we’ve never strapped Florence in because the insert really supports her (oops, naughty Mother!) It’s quite small in height too which means Florence can sit with us at the table at dinner time which she loves! To keep her entertained for longer periods we put some of her favourite toys on the tray, she has a lovely Highchair suction toy too!

 

Bapron

Weaning can be a very messy process for everyone involved so I was on the look out for a bib that would cover most of Florence while she eats! While searching online I came across something called a “Bapron.” It’s an apron bib that ties around the back of the baby so there’s no way they can pull it off! Florence’s Bapron is a beautiful oil cloth Strawberry pattern that I found on Etsy.

 

 

Doidy Cup

The Doidy Cup is designed at a slant that helps young children learn how to drink from a cup. Fingers crossed it will also mean that there will be less water spilt! I haven’t introduced the Doidy Cup to Florence yet but I am excited to! She currently takes her water from a small Dr Brown’s bottle while she is learning how to eat from a spoon. I didn’t want to put too much onto her too soon!

The following products aren't essential for weaning, but they are lovely to have!

Nuby Fruitsicles Purée Mould

When I saw these on offer in Waitrose I just had to have them! The Nuby Fruitsicle Purée Moulds are perfect for making frozen purée or yoghurt lollies and are small enough to fit into our little one’s hands. The weather is getting warmer and Florence’s gums are getting more poorly by the day so I am hoping they will help soothe the heat and teething problems! 

Munchkin Lil Apple Plates

These Munchkin Lil Apple plates are a bright and vibrant way to make meal times fun. I can’t wait to start using these plates when Florence starts having finger food in a couple of months. The small sections mean that she can have a variety of food on the plate that she is clearly able to see and grab!

Fill ‘N’ Squeeze

The Fill ‘n’Squeeze allows you to transfer your home cooked purées into food pouches so that you can take them on the go without having to buy branded food pouches. The pouches are reusable, and can be used in the dishwasher, freezer, and microwave! This product means that I can still give Florence a homemade, healthy meal whilst we are out and about.

So these are my weaning essentials! 
Do you every day essentials that you'd like to share with me?

Florence's Five Month Update

Weight

We wasn’t able to get Florence weighed this week as our local Children’s Health Clinic was closed for Bank Holiday Monday. When she was weighed two weeks ago she weighed 13lb 13oz, meaning she has just doubled her birth weight! 

Daily Routine

Florence’s daily routine has slightly changed now, mainly because her nap routine has changed!
Her new routine generally follows this pattern;

7.00am – Wakes up and comes into bed with us.
8.30am – Morning bottle.
8.45am – 9.30am – Playtime.
9.30am – 10.30am – Morning nap.
10.30am – Get dressed.
11.00am – Leave for Baby Class.
11.30am – 12.30pm – Baby Class.
12.30pm – Lunch bottle.
1.00pm – Lunch purée.
2.00pm – 3.00pm – Afternoon nap.
3.00pm – 4.00pm – Playtime.
4.00pm – Afternoon bottle.
4.30pm – 5.00pm – Last night.
5.00pm – 6.00pm – Playtime.
6.30pm – Bath.
6.45pm – Night time bottle.
7.00pm – Bed.

The 4 month sleep regression/growth spurt still seems to be effecting Florence as she is still waking at 11pm for an extra bottle!

Eating

Florence has 6 bottles over a 24 hour period, taking between 4 and 5oz each time. She still isn’t interested in taking larger amounts but has now started to take a full 5oz bottle over the last few days.

We started Florence’s weaning journey last week too! After a few weeks of slow weight gain, taking an extra bottle, and waking more during the night Chris and I decided to try her on some solids. She has a bowl of vegetable purée after her lunch time bottle and is really enjoying her food. So far she has tried Baby Rice, Carrot, Parsnip, and Sweet Potato. We offer her water with her lunch puree too.

Clothes

Florence is still wearing mostly 0-3 clothes. All of her Sleepsuits are 0-3 but she is starting to fit into some of her “normal” clothes in 3-6 months but most are still too big for her! Some clothes are still Newborn (bless!)

Florence is now in Size 3 nappies!

Development

Giggling – After making us wait weeks and weeks after her first smile, Florence has finally started to giggle! Chris was playing with her when she first giggled and it made me cry. Thankfully we caught it on our Camcorder. It really is the best noise in the World. 

Rolling – Florence is trying her hardest to roll from her front to her back. She is almost there but her arm keeps getting in the way!

Swimming – Florence has been submerged many times but she has now done a couple of underwater swims at her Swimming Lessons.

Sitting - Florence can sit up unsupported for a couple of seconds, she's getting there!

Confessions Of A New Mum

Okay Mamas, it's time to confess. What crazy, funny, a little odd, and possibly embarrassing pregnancy and parenting stories do you all have?!

1) I have told people that Florence is teething when she starts fussing in public.

2) Sleep deprivation is the blame for everything, even on days when I'm not tired. Overflowing laundry basket - tired. Not wanting to cook - tired. Not getting dressed until 3.30pm - tired. 

3) I started wearing gigantic granny knickers after my Caesarean. I am still wearing them.

4) I use Florence to get out of social situations and I am not ashamed to admit it.

5) Florence was sick in my hair once. I forgot about it and didn't wash it for two days.

6) The same goes for clothes.

7) I sometimes watch Chris sleeping peacefully while I'm up at night with Florence and imagine punching him in the face.

8) And when he tells me he's tired.

9) And when he moans when I ask him to do something.*

10) There are some nights where I just have to sit down in the shower.

11) Four hours of broken sleep is a good nights sleep.

12) Baby wipes are the Holy Grail of cleaning tools. From wiping down the high chair to washing the sick out of your hair.

13) I wash the same clothes twice (at least) before I get around to hanging them out to dry.

14) Some days I cry more than Florence does. 

15) I once tried using Dentinox as a sleep aid. It didn't work.

16) Sleep over intimacy. Who has time for that anymore?!

17) I can't go a day without crying. Whether it's over a video, program, film, song, news article. I am so sensitive now! 

18) I have lied about feeling unwell just so I can have five minutes uninterrupted time to myself.

19) I'm 99.9% sure that I fell asleep on the toilet once. 

20) I've questioned whether I have remembered to put Florence in the car or if I have left her in the shop/restaurant/park.

*Dear Chris, I am sure you'll read this at some point. Please don't be alarmed, I don't love you any less but sometimes I really really resent you. Lots of love xxx*

Florence's Four Month Update

Weight

When we went to the Children’s Health Clinic on Monday Florence weighed 13lb 1oz. She has almost doubled her birth weight! She’s been quite poorly this week so I am hoping that she has still gained a good amount of weight when I take her to be weighed next week!

Daily Routine

During the day Florence still follows the pattern of Bottle, Playtime, Nap, Bottle, Playtime, Nap. We have moved Florence’s bedtime a little earlier again, and now start running her bath at 6.30pm. Before we start her bedtime routine we either have a last play to tire her out, or wind down with a massage using Earth Friendly Baby Moisturising Shea ButterMassage Oil. We tend to alternate Florence having “short” and “long baths.” For example, on Monday she’ll have a big bath using her Baby Neck Float and on Tuesday she’ll have a small bath using her Angelcare Bath Support.

Chris has now taken over Florence’s bedtime so I can get on with boring jobs such as washing, ironing, cooking dinner, or washing the bottles! Florence has been really snuffly lately, so after her bath Chris rubs Snufflebabe Vapour Rub onto her chest and feet, and turns on the Calpol Vapour Plugin! She is then changed into her night time Pampers Baby Dry nappy, clean pyjamas, and has her last bottle!

Florence had started to sleep really well. She would go down at 7.15/7.30pm and not wake for a bottle until around 2.30/3.00am. However, it now seems that the 4-Month Sleep Regression has reared its ugly head and now she has started waking for an 11pm bottle again, and another 2-3 times a night. It is exhausting! She does have better nights than others and will still occasionally sleep until 1.30/2.00am.

Eating

Florence now drinks 5oz at almost every feed. While we are out we use the Aptamil Ready Made Bottles and she will occasionally 6-6.5oz. We have just introduced Florence to water! In the morning I make up a small bottle of cooled, boiled water and she’ll have a few sips over the course of the day.

Clothes

Florence is still wearing 0-3 sleepsuits and has just started to wear her “real” clothes such as dresses, leggings, and blouses! I don’t think that it’ll be too long before we are sorting out her 3-6 month sleepsuits though, she is so long!

Development

Grabbing – Florence has started grabbing toys when you put them in front of her eye line. She especially loves playing with the dangling Zebra toy on her Bright Starts Spots and Stripes Playmat, and her Winkel Rattle which is perfect for her little hands to grab!

Rolling – Florence can now roll from her tummy to her back, and there have been times where we’ve left her on her back and when we come back she’s rolled onto her front! I haven’t seen her actually roll from her back to her tummy though.

Thumb Sucking – Florence has recently found her hands and does not stop sucking on them! She now sucks her thumb when she sleeps, it is so adorable!

What's In My Changing Bag?

Michael Kors Jet Set Tote - Selfridges

After getting a little bored of using my BabyMel Ella Changing Bag I went in search of a new Changing Bag. Whilst in John Lewis I fell in love with the BabyBeau Ellie Leather Changing Bag. I resisted temptation, as hard as it was, and walked away from it. When I got home I logged onto the BabyBeau website to have another little look at it. The more I looked, the more the Ellie Leather Changing Bag looked just like my Michael Kors Jet Tote bag, which I absolutely love but haven't used since Florence has been born, all of my belongings just get thrown in with her things nowadays! 

I decided to start using the Michael Kors bag as my Changing Bag. The colour suited our pram, it was large enough to house both of our belongings, and it meant that I didn't have to buy a new bag - perfect! The only problem with the Michael Kors bag is it doesn't have as many compartments and sections as the BabyMel Ella Changing  Bag. Whilst on their website I came across the BabyBeau Changing Mat Organiser. It's a cleverly designed three-fold leather wallet that has space for nappies and wipes, whilst having a changing mat attached. The organiser is reasonably priced, matches the colour of my Michael Kors Tote perfectly, and means I have a place to keep everything!

Changing Mat Organiser - BabyBeau

Changing

We have used Pampers New Baby and Water Wipes with Florence from birth and have never experienced any problems with them. She has never suffered from Nappy Rash which is pretty good going seeing as she's 16 weeks old! I always over pack the Changing Bag and take more nappies than I know I'll need - just in case!

I carry a small Sudocream tube with me in case a rash does appear.

Feeding

We use Dr Brown's Wide Neck Bottles. I usually calculate how many I'll need for the duration of our outing and then add one more - just in case! Do you see where this is going?! I used to take boiled water and power pots out with me, but the powder never really dissolved into cooled water, resulting in blocked teats. I now take the ready made Aptamil Bottles with me. They are so much easier!

I pack my bag high with Tommee Tippee Baby Milk Feeding Bibs and Muslins, Florence gets through so many!!!

 Medicines

As you can probably tell by now I am most definitely a "Just In Case!" type of person. That's why I always carry with me Nelsons Teetha Granules, Anbesol Liquid, Dentinox Teething Gel, Infacol, Calpol, and Hand Sanitiser. You never know when teething, wind, or a fever will strike!

Spare Clothes

I learnt the hard way to always pack spare clothes. I now pack two spare sets of vests and sleepsuits. Florence has started to wear "proper" clothes now but I still find it easier to pack sleepsuits. It also means I don't have to pick an entire outfit to pack!

And that's about it! 
Have you blogged about your Change Bag?
Post the link below so I can have a read!

Q&A - Your Questions Answered

Were you trying for long before you fell pregnant?

Chris and I weren’t trying to fall pregnant. Florence was a very very unexpected surprise!  

   When did you start taking Folic Acid and Pregnancy Supplements? 

It is recommended that you start taking Folic Acid or Pregnancy Supplements as soon as you decide to start trying to conceive. Seeing as this wasn’t the case for us I started taking Pregnacare Plus with Omega 3 the day after we found out. I took them once a day right up until Florence was born!

When did you announce your pregnancy?

We told both of our Parents the day after we found out, not by my choice but Chris wanted to. We then told my Sisters, other Family members, and close friends after our 11 week scan. The rest of the World found out through Social Media when I was 17 Weeks Pregnant after our Gender Scan, once we had announced to our Family.

How did your friends, family, and work colleagues react when you announced that you were expecting?

Chris’s Parents were less than thrilled when we told them, and lets leave it at that! (Of course, they came around to the idea eventually and started to get excited.) My Parents, our friends, and our work colleagues were really excited for us and went out baby shopping straight away.

How did you cope with morning sickness and tiredness?

All of the anti morning sickness remedies that are recommended never worked for me. I tried everything! From ginger biscuits, to ice cubes. Nothing worked! Chris’s Mother then suggested that I should try Travel Bands, and they worked. I pretty much wore a pair right up until I was 22 Weeks Pregnant when my sickness subsided.

The weather was really warm when I was experiencing morning sickness, which made care journeys a nightmare, especially when I was driving to and from work every day. I learnt the hard way to always take a plastic carrier in the car with me for the times when I had to pull into a lay by to throw up... In the end I was able to recognise the signs when I was going to be sick which meant that I could take myself away and get it over with.

Regarding tiredness, I never really experienced it until the later weeks. This was around the time where Chris would be at work until Midnight, the perfect excuse to get into bed as soon as I was home from work at around 7.00pm! I worked as a Nanny meaning I didn’t start work until 3.30pm, unless it was the school holidays, so I was able to sleep in until late too.

What were your cravings?

I didn’t crave “bad” foods such as Chocolate, Ice Cream, Sweets etc, but I did always crave ice cold fruit such as Pineapple and Apples. I also craved Fruit Juices which I tried to ration because I didn’t want my sugar intake to be through the roof. In the later stages of Pregnancy I started to drink full fat Coke, which is completely unlike me as I only ever drink sugar free drinks or water. I’m not sure if it was because I “needed” the sugar. 

Have you ever struggled with becoming a Mother?

I have never struggled with becoming a Mother. I did, however, experience feelings of guilt when Florence was very young. Having a caesarean made it difficult to jump up and comfort Florence when she cried. I felt completely inadequate and a failure of a Mother. I also felt that I couldn’t make Florence happy, and that she was always sad. Whenever Florence was screaming in pain because of bad wind I used to become distressed and upset because I didn’t know how I could help her and make her feel better. As Florence has gotten older, and I have become more confident as a Mother these
feelings have subsided. 

Do you plan on having any more children? If so, what age gap would you like?

Should we be so lucky, I would absolutely love a household full of children! We need to buy a house first before anymore pitter patter of  little Baby Newbert feet. I think that I would like Florence to be in full time School before we have another baby.
 
What made you choose the name Florence?

Since I was little, I have loved the name Florence. Whilst sitting in the waiting room after finding out that I was carrying a girl Chris and I started talking names. I told Chris that I loved the name Florence, and he loved it too. And that was that, we would call our Daughter Florence. We didn’t tell anyone else her name until she born.

What other baby names did you have? And if you had another child what would be on your list?

Chris's favourite girl names were Florence, Holly, Leah, and Gabriella. His favourite boy names were Noah, Edward, and James. My top boy name was also Noah, alongside Henry and Oliver. Florence was really the only girl name I loved. We won't be having Baby Newbert number 2 for some time so it's difficult to say what we'll have on the name list!
 

What are your favourite things to do at home with Florence?

Florence absolutely loves her Bright Starts Spots And Stripes Safari Gym. She really enjoys lying under the lights and listening to the music, especially with her legs out! She hasn’t started grabbing at the toys yet but I still try and change them around every so often so that she has something new to look at.

We have recently bought Florence the Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo. Again, she can’t quite jump herself yet so I bounce her whilst she sits in it and looks around.

We also go for lots of walks by the Sea, sing songs, and snuggle up under the duvet.

What is your favourite thing about being a Mother?

There are far too many things – I love everything about being a Mother! I especially love watching Florence grow and develop. It never fails to amaze me when she learns something new or does something for the first time.

How long were you and Chris together for before you got engaged and started a family?

Chris and I have been together for two and a half years now. I fell pregnant after 18 months and Chris proposed after 22 months!

Are you going back to work? If so, what are your plans for childcare?

I will be going back to University in September to finish my Teacher Training, full time eek. My Mother will care for Florence once a week and the other four days she will spend either with a Child Minder or at a Nursery. Chris and I are still looking into our options and weighing up the pros and cons of each type of Child Care. Chris’s parents live in London so they unfortunately can’t help care for Florence, not that I would expect them to but I’d rather her be with Family than with a Child Minder or Nursery. It’s something that makes me cry every time I think about it but it is something that I need to do to ensure a secure future for our family. I guess that I should consider myself lucky that I’ll get to spend all of the School Holidays with her?

Thank you for all of your questions - I thoroughly enjoyed answering them!