Digestion troubles..

I have read as much current information on weaning as my frazzled brain can stand in trying to decide whether to start weaning Mini.

In the past my brain has risen to such challenges as a degree, a post graduate degree obtained whilst working full time, and compiling a series of spreadsheets with multimillion pound valuations which all had to sync perfectly. My brain managed the challenge in a satisfactory manner. In fact I spent three years at university studying an arts degree to specifically train my brain to consume a vast array of information, digest it, reach an informed conclusion and the argue the case with supporting evidence. Obviously the obligatory alcohol consumption helped in the training process by killing off the weaker cells - but woe - I think now even those weaker cells would be of use.

I guess some pregnancy hormone must kick in during the nine months to undo all this hard work as I have spent the past three weeks trying to decide whether to start weaning before the advised six months.

As a new parent I find the amount of conflicting information one of the most difficult things to cope with (aside from the sleep issues obviously). Having decided to start introducing solids very very slowly because Mini met all the signs (advice from weaning guru #1) my mother was visibly relieved and promptly told me that my brothers and I were all on three meals a day at four months and I should have introduced the stuff weeks ago and don't faff around with one teaspoon at a time, it didn't hurt us (on consideration I definitely stuck with the one teaspoon!).

On the advice of weaning guru #2 I delayed for a further week, then speaking to the pharmacist I felt reassured to start very slowly. After the first three sessions of baby rice (inhaled by Mini) this reassurance was rocked after reading guidance on baby led weaning which sent me back into a spiral of panicking. At the monthly weigh-in (Mini's, not mine - yet!) I was initially told off for the solids, but then congratulated as she wasn't gaining weight at the same rate. However this glow of praise soon faded when the joys of google revealed more studies and more conflicting advice.

By now we have very slowly covered all the beginners first tastes. The Husband doesn't seem to realise that the diarised tasting plan is the closest my brain has come to re-ignition since mid November and even then I managed to get my swede and sweet potato days muddled up!! In fact he had the temerity to suggest that Mini might find the Cow & Gate baby jar of carrot and orange more exciting and tasty than the carefully steamed organic vegetables and fruit which I have lovingly pureed, diligently teaspooned into Mini's mini containers, frozen, labelled neatly and filed, sorry stored, in date order. The suggestion met with short shrift involving a long series of expletives and the suggestion he read the weaning guru book from cover to cover before offering his view, unsolicited, again.

So having spent the weeks panicking that I am doing Mini untold harm I have decided to stop worrying. The fact that Mini seems perfectly happy and healthy, practically inhaled her pureed butternut squash today and seems to love trying to put the spoon in her mouth all by herself should be enough to reassure me that I am doing the right thing. I still worry when awake at five am, just as I worry that giving up breasfeeding is the wrong thing to do, but ultimately I am trying to do what I think is the best for Mini, and that is really all anyone can expect.

If only each baby came with its own specific manual life would be so much easier.