Baby led weaning

I come from a very long line of food mashing, spoon feeding (at 3 months if not earlier!), tummy sleeping, baby raring mums, aunties and older sisters including mother -in-law. My husbands mum kept asking about when I was going to start solids since TK was 3 months old. I haven't bothered explaining BLW to my family but my husbands mum is very interested in TK so I tried to explain BLW but she didn't seem interested.

We started BLW in the weekend - TK is 5 1/2 months, and my husband and I absolutely loved watching him feed himself. I got the book a few weeks ago which helped to understand the 'science' around BLW i.e stages of learning, fine motor skills etc. My husband kept commenting how 'natural' it was to let TK feed himself....he loves it...we love it...and can't imagine spoon feeding him.

I started with too many types of food though so will cut back and start with fruit and veg only, however I did read that some readers avoid fruit (esp bananas) if there was a history of allergies. Only allergies in the family is TK's Aunty (daddy's sister) but that is it.

TK got eczema when he was 3 months and by 5 months it looked like it had cleared up. Anyone had a problem with eczema and started BLW?   Anyone experienced any reoccurred? Though I should think that either BLW or spoon feeding wouldn't make any difference with his eczema.

Nice to read everyone's experience.

Thanks
Dee, C & TK

TK seems to get frustrated if he is not able to pick the food up in his hand to take to his mouth. Mainly I think because the banana is too slippery and I over cooked the broccoli and kumara so it just crumbled everytime he picked it up.

When he had banana I picked it up and started putting it in his hand/mouth which seemed to stop him grizzling but completely defeated the purpose of blw. I also feed him (bf) before he has his 'solids'.

If he grizzles again (and the food is cooked properly and not slippery) shall I leave him to figure it out or shall I take him off his highchair?

Thanks Delli.

Has anyone found the need to give their baby water when starting solids (BLW)? I have noticed that TK's bowel motions have changed to once every 2 days and the texture has certainly changed (thicker) which i would expect, but just wondering if he maybe gets a bit constipated?

I still BF as per normal. He has had a couple of strange crying sessions where he has cried for 30 minutes straight. Very very out of character. After checking his clothes to make sure nothing is 'biting him', his temperature is OK and that he has a dry nappy the only thing I can think of is his tummy is a bit upset. He also refuses to BF and just grizzles/cries.