Weaning

I've started weaning now as, although she is only 5 months, it seems to me to be the right time: she had shown herself to be very interested in our food, was waking earlier and earlier for her 11pm feed, as well as wanting an early morning feed (although she has never really 'slept through'). We started with baby rice. The first day her tongue thrust reflex was still present, and although she was really keen to try and kept opening her mouth, nine tenths of the food came straight back out again. The next day there was some improvement, but not much. The third day she wouldn't take anything, just kept turning her head away so I didn't push it. I'd decided that if she rejected it again the following day I would stop and leave it a week or so before trying again. She surprised me though by hungrily wolfing down her rice; literally crying the second the spoon was out of her mouth. Overnight she had learnt how to move the food to the back of her mouth and swallow it, instead of pushing it out with her tongue as before!Then she polished off mashed banana. Since then I've brought out the steamer and blender like a good mummy, and have made up a batch of carrot (rejected with disgust the first day, although when hidden with baby rice it was eaten) and sweet potato which she ate with no problem. I'm not really sure how many times a day, or how much she should be 'eating'. I've increased the quantities to what seems like a lot to me, and she shows no sign of being full, but cries when its gone until I breastfeed her. I think we're doing well though, and its really so much fun, seeing her reaction to these new tastes and textures, and seeing her trying to feed herself with the spoon...

Baby Friends Christmas Party!

Sarah and Holly held a little mince pie pre-christmas gathering. On the basis of this we decided it was time to invest in a high chair for Jessamie, as did many of the other mums - we all took turns trying it out for size!

What's that, more presents?

And the chance to meet a couple of cats! The cats seemed reasonably tolerant of Jessamie reaching out to grab fistfuls of their fur, which is just as well. No sign of a cat allergy either which is reassuring!! Here are some more pictures..

Christmas photos

By popular demand, finally, a few of the pictures from Christmas. Jessamie enjoyed all the attention from her extended family, and wasn't phased by it being all in french - surely a good sign! Many thanks to everyone (again) for all her lovely presents - and ours of course!