The great weaning debate in Spain!

This week we recieved a new book into the Indybel Bookshop at our online store http://www.indybel.com/.
The book is Annabel Karmels fab new Baby and Toddler Feeding Guide and is a great introduction into they how, whys and whens of weaning. For those of you new to parenting, Annabel Karmel is a very well known and well respected baby and children's food writer in the UK. Her books are best sellers and she is well known for exciting and interesting puree's and seeing many a baby from their first spoon through to their first full meal.

Receiving the book bought back memories of my own weaning days with Bella. Here in Spain weaning is a bit of a controversial topic.
While in the UK it is usual for a baby to start weaning or solid foods at around 6 months, here in Spain the paediatricians often recommend weaning from as early as 4 months. I think it depends on the baby and their weight and their own development, but us British parents in Spain are often left confused as to when and how we should start weaning. I remember reading many a forum post on the topic and still wasn't sure when to start.
In the end I trusted my gut instinct. I didn't think Bella was ready when the doctor said and waited until I felt she was showing sufficient interest in food. Then I tried a few spoons of fruit and cereals. I also never put cereals in the bottle as is common practice over here ( but never done in the UK! ) and I also didn't rush in with the amounts suggested by the doctor at the beginning, but we took it at our own pace. I remembering feeling a bit guilty about this as at our monthy paediatrican appointments the doctor would ask, and is she eating beef? And is she eating turkey? And I'm afraid I would lie merrily, nodding my head, while all the while knowing my little one was eating no more than the odd spoon of fruits and vegetables.

Still we got through the transition to solids fine, on our own and in our own time and again I do think a mother's instinct for what her child needs is the best measure of what to do. During this period I did heavily rely on my Annabel Karmel book though. I took weaning very seriously and Annabel and I had many late nights together with my steamer/blending machine ( another great buy ) as I cooked up humungous amounts of different flavoured puree's, spooned them into little tubs, carefully labelled them and then deposited them in the freezer.

The next morning I would rush down and look in wonder at my little stash of frozen meals, and of course Bella loved them ... so thanks Annabel! These days we have graduated onto more substantial meals, and my days of puree making are over for now, but I will always look back on them fondly. Now and again I still do a big mash and veggie cook up and store it in the freezer for days when I need a quick food fix for Bella, and it always reminds me of my and Bella's weaning adventure ....

Annabel Karmels Baby and Toddler Food Diary is avaliable in Spain now from www.indybel.com
To order your copy simply visit our store ......