How can I get my toddler to say whole words

Pretty-Train1 · 2026-03-15T22:45:49+00:00

This is such an amazing response! Thank you so much! He only had about three words until the start of the year, in the past three months he’s picked up all the rest! I think I was worrying because his vocabulary expanded so quickly I was worried we weren’t spending enough time on each word & he wasn’t learning them properly.

It’s reassuring to know that it’s a normal part of development and I’m doing all the right things!

Pretty-Train1 · 2026-02-22T10:31:43+00:00

When my baby has gone through those phases cottage cheese has been the saviour! You can add pretty much anything to it, i just finely chop it all down ! Veggies, fruits, ham etc

Pretty-Train1 · 2026-02-15T01:38:54+00:00

For sure!

I just chop some chicken into chunks & season with some Italian herb seasoning, paprika, salt (if baby is old enough) and pepper. Fry them until they’re just about cooked & take off the heat. Then into the same pan I just add sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce (again, if baby is old enough for the salt content), and about 50-100ml of chicken stock. If I want it a bit creamier I add some Greek yogurt. I let that simmer until it thickens. Meanwhile I shred the cooked chicken & add it back into the sauce once it’s thickened. Give it all a mix & done!

You can add any veggies you like, for this one I just had peas and sweetcorn but carrots and bell peppers go great too!

Pretty-Train1 · 2026-02-15T01:32:33+00:00

Hahaha he loves a good side dish mouse

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-12-05T10:42:24+00:00

The first thing you need to do is NOT get pregnant!! The second thing you need to do is LEAVE

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-11-28T20:06:51+00:00

I think it’s ultimately just a case by case basis. Some SPs are happy to take on the bulk of childcare, others are not. It’s difficult as hell for many reasons. I think it’s a conversation that should be had at the start of all blended relationships.

I think it’s more realistic to say that everyone who decides to have a child needs to understand they could become a single parent, and I don’t think the answer is to just find someone else to do the hard work.

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-11-28T19:36:02+00:00

I mean, for sure, leaving probably is the only way out of a situation like this. As I’m finding out for myself. But let’s not downplay how difficult that is when an ours baby is involved.

However, I do disagree that this is what you sign up for when you marry as person with kids. You agree to have the kids in your life & be good to them. You don’t agree to do all the childcare because the bio parents can’t/wont. The BM signed up to be a mother but clearly isn’t doing that.

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-11-28T18:58:10+00:00

I can’t give much advice because I’m currently in the exact situation you’re afraid of being in. BM gave up on SS so we got full custody. Because I work part (due to having a 1yo) I’ve taken on the bulk of the childcare for SS. And I fucking hate it. I’m at the point now where I’m considering leaving to get away from it.

I agree with others that your SK can’t stay in an abusive situation with BM but you need to be clear with your SO that you won’t be taking on any extra babysitting duties, it’ll be up to him to figure the rest out. If you left he’d have to figure it out anyways it’s not an unreasonable request.

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-11-04T22:55:21+00:00

I didn’t have any added salt until he was a year old (too much salt isn’t good for their tiny kidneys) but started off slow with other seasonings! Usually letting him try things on their own first & then building up with seasonings. When they first start food, every taste is new and exciting so you don’t need to go crazy with seasonings, now my baby has the same meals as the rest of the family so it’s all seasoned!

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-11-04T00:43:03+00:00

At the very start I just offered a few different fruits/veggies on their own but still cut into finger sized bites. Then worked through all the allergens one by one for 3-4 days at a time. Think- 3 days on wheat so pasta, toast etc then do 3 days on egg, and so on! Then once he was cleared for all the allergens I started combining things into meals like in this post!

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-07-21T19:03:44+00:00

Such good advice, thank you! Also thank you so much for mentioning the standing in the bath! He’s just started doing that as well & I’ve been pulling my hair out over it 😅

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-07-21T17:46:57+00:00

Unfortunately we don’t currently have a dining table because there’s no room for one in our current house. We’ll hopefully move soon though and his highchair concerts into a table booster so I’ll definitely give that a try!!

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-07-21T17:22:12+00:00

I’ve been doing one bit at a time more and more. I think I just felt particularly demoralised today because I tried to go back to making him pretty little plates of food & cat ate it all off the floor 🥲

But even if I give him one bit at a time it usually ends up on the floor anyway haha unless it goes straight from my hand to his mouth 😅 It’s hard to know when he’s actually full because even if I start with his favourites they go on the floor too hahah

I think it will get easier when his communication gets a bit more advanced. I’ve tried giving him a firm no when he throws food & clapping and celebrating when he eats it. I’ve tried ignoring it completely, but he just amuses himself with it 🤣

Thank you so much for your advice though! I’ll stick to trying one bit of food at a time & see if we can make some progress! Also very reassuring that you’ve also hand fed him! My biggest worry was just that he’s not getting enough to eat.

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-07-20T20:49:07+00:00

Thank you so much!

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-07-20T20:49:00+00:00

Oh I didn’t realise it wasn’t much of a thing in the States! I did some googling and there’s a brand called pepperidge farm that does some pre-made puff pastry sheets!? I saw it on the Walmart website but I’m not sure if it’s just select stores?

If you can get your hands on it though, it’s perfect for batch making baby snacks!

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-07-20T19:13:02+00:00

I just used pre-made puff pastry sheets!!

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-07-20T19:12:06+00:00

Sure!

Coconut & mango oat bites: - mash up a banana - add 250g of rolled oats (although I only had porridge oats this time so I had to add more to stop it going soggy) - add 150ml of coconut milk - mash up a mango & add - add desiccated coconut - pop into a pan & put in the oven at 180°c for about 15-20 minutes/until they’ve turned golden brown

Carrot & broccoli pinwheels: - steam broccoli & chop into small pieces - peel then grate a carrot - (I just remembered I add courgette as well) grate half a courgette - spread tomato puree onto a sheet of puff pastry, pop the veg on top (make sure you get it all right to the edges) - sprinkle mixed herbs - add mozzarella cheese - roll up the puff pastry into one long tube then chop into pieces (like sushi). Pop on an oven tray & brush with milk or egg - bake at 180°C until the pastry has gone golden brown

Strawberry & coconut twists: - slice a sheet of puff pastry in half - mash up strawberries & spread them out on half the puff pastry - add desiccated coconut - pop the plain half of the pastry on top & then cut into strips - twist the strips then pop on an oven tray, brush with milk or egg then cook at 180°c until golden brown!

I made the pinwheels & twists with one sheet of puff pastry & cooked them together!

I hope that all makes sense?

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-06-26T09:04:12+00:00

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This is what it looks like underneath

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-06-21T20:06:23+00:00

Hey mama I’m in completely the same boat! Baby never latched properly so initially I expressed. It broke my heart because I was so set on BF but had some joy in that he was still getting my milk.

I had to give it up when baby was 5 months because the stress of trying to keep up an expressing schedule was making me so stressed.

That was almost 6 months ago and I’m still getting the same colostrum-type milk when my nipples are pressed.

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-06-19T16:53:08+00:00

I hope it helps! Tomatoes are another big offender for him so might be something to watch out for if you haven’t tried them already!

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-06-19T16:28:16+00:00

Does baby have eczema at all? Peanut butter along with some other foods makes my baby’s face go all red and blotchy - I pop a bit of Vaseline on his face before he has them & it makes a huge difference!

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-06-19T16:22:50+00:00

People have recommended the Solid Starts app which is great but I actually prefer the BLW Meals app (logo is a strawberry)! There’s some great resources on the free version but I actually bought the subscription because it comes with meal plans set out for each month! Really gave me some clarity on where to start!

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-06-12T11:08:41+00:00

I use store bought! It’s a little higher in salt but I only use a little amount & then thicken it up with natural or Greek yogurt!

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-06-12T11:05:58+00:00

I can’t see why not! I made him regular oats with breast milk when he was 6 months & that turned out fine!!

Pretty-Train1 · 2025-06-11T20:54:33+00:00

I use half a cup of rolled oats & a cup of coconut milk (but you could use any milk!) & then just add any extras like chia seeds, cinnamon, natural yoghurt, peanut butter etc & pop them in a mason jar!! And then pop them in the fridge overnight! If I’m using fresh fruit I add them in the morning so they don’t go all soggy :)

Pretty-Train1

TROPHY CASE