Successful weaning takes a step at a time

My son Troy recently turned six months.

It was all systems go for weaning. Although I have an eight-to-five job, thanks to strategic breastfeeding (expressing at work and storing in the fridge then taking it home), I have exclusively breastfed my baby.

This is a trend among most corporate women, so I will not ask for a standing ovation or a "Hey, I breastfed exclusively" T-shirt.

I was all excited to start him on his new chapter of eating solid foods.

I was looking forward to the exercise because he had shown all indication that he was ready to be a man!

I had spotted all the tell-tale signs like his stretching his hands whenever we were on the dinner table. He was more excited about the food on our plates than his usual 'nyonyo'.

On the big day, I left work early enough so that I can start preparing the grand food - light uji - which I made with a delicate touch to ensure the tiny stomach could accommodate it.

When the first spoon landed in his mouth, baby boy pulled such a long face, it was like he was telling mummy, "this thing is so yuck, I need me my 'nyonyo'". For the second and third spoon, it was a battle field. I gave up on the fifth spoon.

We are normally advised to go easy when starting, and introduce one food at a time. So that day, I did not give him any more solids. Next morning, which luckily was a weekend, I tried my luck again with the light uji, and it was World War III.

After the fruitless episode, I was so stressed and frustrated, I wanted to quit completely. To vent and seek good counsel, I logged on to a Facebook group of breastfeeding mamas and posted my question.

"Any tips on weaning? Help a stressed mama..."

As expected, the comments from concerned mamas started flowing within no time. I was given all manner of advice from the brilliant to the bizarre, and the downright stupid and naughty.

But the good thing is that I found solace and encouragement and was told to soldier on.

So it's been a roller coaster from allergies to harrowing constipation to mood swings, but now we are at a safe place. There have been several bumps and wrong turns; I now know what works and what does not.

I know he hates uji with a passion and paw paw makes him constipate real bad. Malenge-spinach makes him so happy; he grins like a sweet toothless old man.

Mango is not a favourite, he can pass on that any day. Every day is new and full of surprises and learning experiences. On this one, we are taking it one day at a time.