Starting with purée: our journey into weaning

After weeks of intensive breastfeeding – which, at the beginning, really came with its fair share of challenges – we had finally settled into a relaxed routine. And just as things were going so well, something new was already on the horizon? That’s right: weaning. Whether you follow a modern approach like baby-led weaning or go the traditional route with purées, every baby eventually starts eating. And now it was our turn.

We wanted to be well prepared: our midwife came by once more to check whether our son, at around six months old, showed all the signs of readiness for starting solids. These include, for example, being able to sit upright with support for a few minutes, holding their head steady, and no longer having a strong tongue-thrust reflex.

We got the green light and decided to wait until after our holiday to begin. At home, in familiar surroundings, with calm, routine and all the necessary bits and pieces within easy reach, it simply felt much more relaxed.

Defusing purée “bombs”

To get started, the classic recommendation in Germany is steamed vegetables with a little oil – even though families around the world approach weaning in very different ways.

Carrot purée is almost considered a rite of passage. We also kept hearing: start with vegetables, fruit later – otherwise your baby might develop a sweet tooth too quickly.

So we bought top-quality carrots. We peeled them. We steamed them. And we blended them. I was about as nervous during the whole process as if I were defusing a bomb. Especially when blending, I took an absurdly long time. After about five minutes, a cautious voice from the background asked how much longer I planned to keep going.

Just to be on the safe side, I even pushed the purée through a fine sieve – you never know. I simply couldn’t imagine how a baby could go from milk to solid food overnight, and I had this completely irrational fear that our son might choke on carrot purée.

The first spoonfuls

When we finally had the bright orange purée in front of us, our son was sitting on my husband’s lap. Bib? Check. Soft baby spoon? Check. Nervous parents? Double check.

I was allowed to give him his very first spoonful.

We’ll probably never forget his reaction: a grimace – and everything came straight back out again. He firmly refused a second attempt.

So: freeze the rest and try again the next day. Unfortunately, the following attempts went very much the same way. We were light years away from the recommended portion sizes.

Looking back, I wish I’d kept the freezer a bit more organised at that stage. Small portions, different experiments and countless containers quickly led to chaos. That’s where practical solutions like fill + freeze containers from b.box come in handy, making it easy to prepare and freeze purée in portions.

After many of our purée attempts turned out just like that first one (parsnip, potato, broccoli … you name it), we decided – despite all the warnings that our child would then only want sweet things – to try fruit, avocado and nut butter. Finally, a success! Mashed avocado with banana in particular went down brilliantly.

Familiarity with the new

Slowly, we found our way into a new routine. Replacing full milk feeds was still a long way off, but our son suddenly began to enjoy discovering new things. And really, that’s what it’s all about in the beginning.

When we were out and about, though, new challenges cropped up: could we get food of the same quality as at home? What if there wasn’t a supermarket nearby? And then, of course, there was the lack of his usual chair, table or familiar environment.

Staying home for every meal wasn’t an option for us. So we simply filled our purées into a fill + feed container and could either portion them neatly onto a spoon while out or help our baby feed himself through the small opening.

That way, we could be sure our son had his usual food even when we were out exploring new places.

When eating becomes independent

He really started to enjoy things once he could sit up in his high chair by himself and eat small lentil patties or pancakes with his hands. And, to be honest, I became much more relaxed at that point too.

What helped most were things that made mealtimes easier. A non-slip mat that doubles as a plate, like the roll + go mealtime mat, not only saves on washing up but also on stress.

I learned that babies are capable of an astonishing amount on their own. If too much went into his mouth or something felt unusual in his throat, the gag reflex reliably kicked in. Watching him become more independent and adventurous with each meal was incredibly rewarding.

Different countries, different approaches

I also found it fascinating how differently countries approach weaning. While in Germany people often follow a fairly structured plan, in Sweden – my husband’s home country – it’s common to start offering small tastes from around four months. Babies might lick an apple or a stick of celery. There’s far less of a strict schedule.

Here in Germany, too, recommendations have evolved. Many current medical guidelines suggest starting solids around six months, but there’s a growing move away from rigid rules. What matters most is paying attention to your own child.

Now: weaning with baby number two

These days, we’re right in the middle of the weaning adventure with our second son. He seemed ready earlier, was more stable from the start and incredibly curious whenever we sat at the table together.

His older brother quickly became a huge source of inspiration. He enjoys trying new things, even if he doesn’t always like them. Carrots and sweet potatoes are now among his favourite vegetables, and he can clearly express what he wants while really enjoying shared meals.

This time, we also started with carrot purée (which, surprisingly, was received with great enthusiasm), but we’re much more relaxed about it all. Less perfection, more experimenting.

Because in the end, weaning isn’t just about filling little tummies. It’s about discovering new things together – step by step, at your own pace.

P.S.: Here you’ll find more helpful products for your weaning journey.

About the author: Bianka is a designer and mum of two sons. She lives with her family in Cologne, where she experiences plenty of adventures in the world of babies and toddlers.