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Judy Gilroy’s weaning journey
Judy Gilroy, Fashion Stylist and Mum to Baby Stella, has been using Aptamil Organic Follow On Milk since Stella turned 6 months old. Judy has loved watching baby Stella grow and weaning has been a big part of that journey. Judy shares her experience of weaning below with some top tips and advice on navigating your own routine.
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Finding a Feeding Routine That Works For You and Baby
Our feeding routine felt like a natural extension of Stella’s feeds as a baby. I started a routine with her gradually , regulating small things like the first feed of the day or nap times and putting a bedtime routine into place. One thing I always did was to wake her at 7am, no matter what had happened the night before, so that a routine could start from the same time every day. It didn’t all happen at once, but over time we found a natural rhythm starting with our first feed after 7am and planning the various feeding times around that. I bought lots of baby books too – and our current routine is a mish-mash of all of those books!
A Typical Feeding Day for Stella
7.30am-1pm
Stella is such a happy baby and she has always thrived on a good routine – and feeding is such a big part of that. We start our day at around 7am, and after a cup of tea for mummy (very important) and letting the dog out, Stella has her first Follow On milk feed of the day – usually around 7.30am. We have been using Aptamil Organic Follow On Milk since Stella was 6 months old and she seems to love it. That first feed of the day is such a precious time – we have a little cuddle and enjoy a little bit of peace together before the daily chaos begins!
At 8am, Stella has breakfast which usually consists of baby cereal or porridge and wholegrain toast with a little bit of butter. On the weekend I’ll make her scrambled eggs, pancakes or avocado on toast but she does love her baby cereal. We encourage Stella to drink water with every meal.
When Stella wakes up from her first nap of the day, usually around 10.30am, we give her a little snack like a rice cake. Lunch usually happens between 11.30am and 12.15pm, depending on the day. We offer her something savoury first - which could be anything from spag bol, to casserole, to fish fingers and broccoli florets – followed by a fruit smoothie or some chopped fruit. Stella is showing real independence at meal times lately – she doesn’t like being spoon-fed and often spits out blended dishes so I’ve being doing my best to offer lots of finger food options at meal times.
Stella still has a follow-on milk feed before her afternoon nap at 1pm. I find it settles her and signals to her that it’s sleep time.
1pm-7pm
At 3.30pm, after her afternoon nap, we would usually offer Stella a small snack. She takes dinner at around 5.30pm. I try my best to vary her meals so she doesn’t get bored of anything and so that she is always exploring new flavours!
Just before 7pm, Stella curls up in her pj’s with her Daddy and has the last Follow-On milk feed of the day in the nursery. We always brush Stella's teeth after her last feed just before she goes to bed for the night.
Baby Weaning with Aptamil Organic Follow On Milk
Aptamil Organic Follow On Milk has been an incremental part of Stella’s feeding journey. I actually wrote another blog on my experience using Aptamil Organic Follow On Milk as a First Time Mum. Food before one is for fun – it’s about trying flavours and textures and actually learning the mechanism and habits of how to eat. I like that Aptamil Organic Follow On Milk is certified organic plus it complements Stella's weaning diet, and that it contains the right amount of Vitamin D for Stella’s age and stage. It means I can spend my time worrying about figuring out how to cook finger food recipes instead of whether or not she is getting enough Vitamin D, which plays an important role in supporting the normal function of her immune system.
Judy and Stella’s Favourite Weaning Meals
Anything that Stella doesn’t throw at me!
Chicken casserole is always a big hit in our house as is, surprisingly, broccoli. Stella loves her Dad’s Spaghetti Bolognese (which we try to coordinate with bad outfits and bath night) and she loves fish fingers. One of my favourite recipes is a tomato and basil pasta sauce which Stella adores, and we do too.
Find out more information about Aptamil Organic Follow On milk here.
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Important notice
Breastfeeding is best. Follow-on milk should only be used as part of a mixed diet and not as a breastmilk substitute before 6 months. Use on the advice of a healthcare professional. Use Aptamil® Organic Toddler milk as part of a varied, balanced diet from the 12th month.
Questions about feeding and nutrition?
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