Baby led weaning
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Topic: Baby led weaning
Posted By: peanut butter
Subject: Baby led weaning
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 11:23am
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ok, tell me about this. I have googled it and read the wikipedia definition. Some of it sounds like its just a new "en vogue" way of doing what we are pretty much already doing....some of it makes sense. I am far too lazy to do thorough research but was wanting your opinions....both for and against....and I can see this leading to strong opinions.
SO is it worthwhile....or a crock? |
Replies:
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 11:53am
Totally worthwhile, and all just common sense!  I'm lazy and it was so so sooo much easier than all that pureeing that everyone else did. Just make sure you're eating healthy stuff yourself (which you will be already) and give bubs some of what you're all having when bubs is ready. That means putting off introducing solids for a while longer than most people do but that's in line with WHO guidelines anyway. I've heard the difference explained nicely, BLW is learning to chew before you learn to swallow, whereas "normal" weaning is learning to swallow before you learn to chew.
I thoroughly recommend Gill Rapley's http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Baby-led-Weaning-Helping-Your-Baby-Love-Good-Food/2594420/ - book , it was my bible when we were starting out. (Actually, I'd be happy to lend it to you if you want! I'll be in Queenstown next weekend...) I assume you've seen me link to the BLW http://www.babyledweaning.com/forum/ - forums before The website set up to publicise the book ( http://www.baby-led.com/ - link here ) also has some good info.
I'm quite a logical person (normally  ) and the scientific/developmental basis for it made sense to me.
I'm not knocking "normal" introduction of solids - it's just for people with more patience than me! But for the record (mummy brag alert), having done BLW, JJ will eat anything happily, and is a tidier eater than almost any other kids his age I've seen. And no, he's never choked on anything, just gagged a little a couple of times. It's all part of the learning process! It has been really good for his fine motor development too. Another thing I've personally noticed is that he doesn't seem to put random other things into his mouth nearly as much as other kids his age - he seems to know when something is food or when it isn't. Thank you so much to bizzy for introducing me to it in the first place  ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 12:03pm
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also, I found http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21553 - this thread useful when I was reading up about it -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: monster
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 12:04pm
If what you are already doing is prioritising milk, waiting till baby is ready to feed himself real food (no puree, ideally a bit of what you're already eating if it's healthy) and getting on with eating your own meal while he does, then it's perfect. No worries about how much goes in, it's an enjoyable, low-key way to intoduce solids. -------------   
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nzpiper wrote:Posted By: JoJames
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 12:12pm
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I have looked into this a little and I do agree with the developmental ideas behind it. I just find it hard to trust that he is eating enough. And as he only just got his first tooth in the past week, it has been quite hard for him to eat more solider foods,
In saying that, i usually always offer him a sandwich or toast before I give hi mashed foods, currently he is eating last nights mac 'n' cheese, and he always gets things like crackers andapple slices. And also I never really pureed his food, just mashed it. I definately think it sounds like a good idea, I think I would need to be abit more confident about it And I know that milk should be the priority, its just that he isn't the best BFer at the best of times ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 12:13pm
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Oh yeah monster I forgot to add that - it is FUN! -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 3:22pm
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I'm wondering if its what I did with Tom anyway. Sure I started with pureed but moved to mashed very quickly...through laziness and I know Tom was one of the first in my coffee group to be on finger foods...again laziness on my behalf. So maybe I was ahead of myself
Maybe the answer is to just go with the flow regarding food??? |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 3:24pm
| oh and thanks for all thelinks....I will get off my lazy butt and read them when I can work out just what /james is wanting at the moment....boob? sleep? play? come on boy.....spell it out for mummy! |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 6:40pm
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No, one of the main principles of BLW is that you don't put anything in baby's mouth - that's a choking hazard. They only eat what they put in their mouths themselves, so if you have to give them something sloppy, you have to load up a spoon and give it to them. (The book puts it well - says something like, if someone put something in your mouth and you didn't know what it was, your first instinct would be to take it out and look at it to see what it was.) If they feed themselves they're able to inspect it and they learn faster what sort of chewing/swallowing etc is required for different types of food.
It is very very messy so if you're going to do it invest in a nice easy to clean highchair and get a plastic mat to put underneath it 
Even Plunket says you can give finger foods from 6 months so in effect all you're doing is delaying the introduction of solids until then and totally skipping the pureed/mashed stages. There is a real element of letting go, and remembering that they're getting most of their nutrition from their milk feeds anyway (until at least 8 months) - food is essentially just a form of messy play until around 12 months. "Food is for fun until they're one" -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: monster
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 8:05pm
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Yep, there's no need for them to have spoonfuls of anything that you wouldn't eat with a spoon yourself, so just load up spoons for things like yoghurt, soup, etc, and hand them over for bubs to do it themselves.
I've heard a few people talk about doing a 'mix' of standard weaning and blw - it doesn't really work that way. If you're using purees and mash, then add some finger foods too from an early age, that's all good, but it's not blw. The point of blw is that there is no need for purees/mash. If the baby can't pick up a solid piece of food and gum, chew, then swallow it - then the baby is not ready for it yet. Milk is enough, food is extra. It's about letting baby explore at his/her own pace and trusting that milk is enough until they get the hang of it. -------------
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Posted By: scribe
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 8:14pm
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I agree with all of Weegee's comments - BLW is fun, easy (what I liked best was that we could all sit down together to eat, rather than having to feed her first), and very much commonsense. The only downside is the mess but you get used to it.
It's natural to feel a bit concerned that your baby isn't getting enough food (I resorted to topping her up with purees a few times, early on, which was a really bad idea) but one look at Clara would have you thinking differently - where as a baby in CG whose mother was the last to introduce finger foods became iron deficient... |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 9:32pm
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lol! weegee you said it all... and so well too.
i loved it and it certainly is a lot more feeing than having to do purees. the thing i liked most was that it was all at edens pace and i never felt i was forcing her to eat anything. so much easier... go baby-led weaning!!!!!!!! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: Ella1
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 11:11pm
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I'm currently reading the book by Gill Rapley. And it's just so logical!
I'm definately going to go this way. It fits in very well with my other ideas/practices of parenting. The hardest part is probably having to explain all the time why I haven't started solids yet, and making sure that when she starts daycare next month they will not feed her any mashed food. |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 11:43pm
I agree Ella - it's especially good if you're breastfeeding on demand - again, as the book says, why give our babies control over when and how much to feed for their milk, but take that control away from them when it comes to solids? I found it easy to fob people off by saying "oh yes we've tried lots of different foods" without elaborating if they weren't the type that would be receptive to my evangelising, although as time has gone on I tend to spread the word a bit more  (hence my rabid posting in this thread! sorry I'll shut up now!)
I didn't have any problems with daycare - briefly explained the rationale, and actually JJ's primary carer was really interested so I lent her the book to read in her own time. They said "ok so basically you just want him given toddler food?" and that was it - no worries! -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 11:53pm
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One last post and then I'll go away! One of the things about doing BLW is that you take lots of photos of your baby eating random things
Here he is at 6 months quite happily chomping away on some watermelon 
and 7 months happily putting away a bread roll  -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 7:03am
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hahaha, Kyle is doing this whether I like it or not as he has a total spoon problem.
Nikki I put a vid on facebook of him going at a carrot stick He's also trying rice crackers and casava crisps and yesterday he sampled one of Spencer's potato sticks...lol
Oh I have a messy mat under the table already, put it there when we moved Spencer to the big boy chair. I loved the mess of giving Spencer finger food, I have so many pics of him in the highchair covered in food. I guess missing out the purees won't be too much of an issue. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 9:19pm
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I can't wait to start BLW! And I've even convinced my sister, who has one very very fussy 4yr old who was weaned 'normally'.
Makes total sense and you explain it so well Weegee! 
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Posted By: angel4
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 11:06pm
i didnt know anything about BLW when henry was younger. He started solids at four and a half months, by grabing some mashed potato off my plate and eating it  i was shocked to say the least. I notice that BLW seems to say to wait until their older before offering solids - could someone explain why? Henry has always eaten what we eat, im not saying we did BLW but im quite fascinated with it tbh. We feed henry some things from a spoon - what would benefit if we let him do this himself? How do you know when your child is done? henry never seems to be finished.
Hmm this isnt coming out quite how i want it to. Im not trying to sound judgemental, i dont know much about this and would genuienly like to know. |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 19 July 2009 at 10:42am
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you can do BLW earler, but it certainly heps if the child can sit unassisted before feeding them anyway. for me it was all about letting her explore her own food, if i spoon fed her she would spit it out to look at it and touch it anyway so what was the point... and if a child learnt to spoon feed themselves it would certainly be a good thing. i think that the process behind it was to give the spoon to the child so they can put it in their own mouths, instead of someone trying to force it into their mouth. developmentally BLW is a great idea- hand eye coordination benefits, speech is directly linked to babies learning to eat and chew... exploration... all great aspects of BLW.
oh and i remember eden as a not even 7 mth old eating sushi...she loved it! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 19 July 2009 at 11:02am
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Joel has only had yogurt, custard and cereal from a spoon the rest he feeds himself...has done with finger foods since 6 months. We have had no choking or gagging either. He is much better at a variety of foods compared to Leah at the same age and with her we did the purees etc. -------------  
 
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Posted By: palomino
Date Posted: 19 July 2009 at 12:04pm
| Ah wow this is pretty much what i have started doing. I started giving Brennan 'our food' because he seemed so much more happier sucking on a nectarine or a piece of mandarin than me spooning mush into him. He loves picking up chicken at tea time and for the most part im happy just to let him explore it and learn how his hands work etc rather than trying to force food into him. Nice to know i have a name for it now. |
Posted By: Flutterby
Date Posted: 19 July 2009 at 12:49pm
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So glad that this thread has been started. I didn't know anything about BLW but it diffently sounds like something I want to do. We have always said that we didn't want to force Cody to eat anything that he didn't like, and by doing it this way we won't have to . Plus I wasn't looking forward to having to puree everything ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: monster
Date Posted: 19 July 2009 at 7:54pm
People have always been doing blw all over the world - it only has a name because when Gill Rapley started writing about her research on it she had to call it something. It is certainly a natural progression onto solid food and it makes a lot of sense. -------------
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 19 July 2009 at 9:40pm
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If you look up baby lean weaning on wikipedi there is a good explanation on there.
Basic principles The basic principles of baby-led weaning are: At the start of the process the baby is allowed to reject food, and it may be offered again at a later date. The child is allowed to decide how much it wants to eat. No "fill-ups" are to be offered at the end of the meal with a spoon. The meals should not be hurried. Sips of water are offered with meals. Initially, soft fruits and vegetables are given. Harder foods are lightly cooked to make them soft enough to chew on even with bare gums. Food given is free of added salt and sugar. Food is not cut into bite-sized pieces until the baby has mastered object permanence and the pincer grasp. Initially, food is offered in baton-shaped pieces or in natural shapes that have a 'handle' (such as broccoli florets), so that the baby can get a good grip and the food is visible for babies that have not yet mastered object permanence. Foods with clear danger, such as peanuts, are not offered. Foods can be offered to the baby on a spoon, but the baby is allowed to grab the spoon and the adult helps the baby guide it to the mouth. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Angie16
Date Posted: 04 September 2009 at 8:44pm
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Hi, I am really pleased to find this forum, am planning on starting BLW with my little guy when he is 6 months old. Does any one have any suggestions for what to start with? Can it just be anything as long as its a 'chip' shape so bubs can hold it?
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 04 September 2009 at 10:07pm
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Short answer to that one Angie16 is yup! The slightly longer answer is, don't expect bubs to magically start eating when he turns 6 months old, by all means start offering, but there are a bunch of signs of readiness (for us it was pretty much he started grabbing for our food!).
I probably mentioned it on the other page but I really, really recommend Gill Rapley's book, there's a couple of chapters in there on how to get started and what first foods to offer. I can come back and do a bit of a summary if you like but it might take a while. Also check out the baby led weaning http://www.babyledweaning.com/forum/ - forum
Just let me know if you want me to come back with that summary! -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 04 September 2009 at 10:11pm
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Oh and obviously 'anything' excludes things that are high in salt or added sugar and anything that's a known allergy trigger in your families -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: Flutterby
Date Posted: 06 September 2009 at 4:28pm
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We started offering Cody foods at 4 1/2mths. At the moment I am just giving him banana or some other softened fruit during the day and he loves having a crust off my toast. But last night he actually managed to eat some roast chicken, potato and capsicum from a plate. Was so proud of him to have figured out how to feed himself so quickly. Oh and he also loves to have a cooled down hot chip. Unsalted of course.
It is so much fun. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: EmilysMum
Date Posted: 06 September 2009 at 8:01pm
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We started BLW with my DD when she turned 6 months and we're all loving it. Shes now just over 7 months and is going great guns. She gets really excited whenever we put her in her highchair and starts grabbing for the plate of food before we even get a chance to put her bib on. Today she had omelette and toast with us for breakfast, and spicy tomato pasta for dinner. The mess is something else but the smiles and fun more than make up for it.
It can be a bit nerve wracking when they gag, but she can now push the offending item to the front of her mouth, and whilst she used to spit it out she now tends to munch on it for a bit longer and then voila, its gone! The best tip I had about gagging was to sit on your hands and count to 10 when they gag, and this works a treat. She even manages to grin like a loon when she gags these days! We started with fruit and roasted and steamed veges, although avoided carrots and apples due to the choking risk. She loves banana and brocolli, and yoghurt loaded on a spoon also goes down (and into hair, ears, eyes, walls and carpet!) really well. For the banana I just cut one in half then leave a bit of peel on the bottom of each half as a handle for her to grip on. We're now moving onto carbs like pita bread and toast, and will start on meat tomorrow when I give her a bit of homemade burger pattie. OK I've gone on enough now! My mother is totally against our method of weaning and is constantly questioning what we're doing, so its nice to be able to rabbit on about it somewhere! |
Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 06 September 2009 at 8:17pm
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Sounds pretty similar to what we have done with T.
He REALLY loves the wee mince fingers I make for him now, (mince/grated cheese/grated apple and carrot and egg, panfried into little finger shapes) and tried salmon patties last night. a hit of course like pretty much everything so far. I still load his spoon with runnier foods like porridge & yoghurt, and he holds and feeds himself with it, so he is trying heaps of different textures and tastes. I can really see how much improves his hand skills are now, picking up smaller and smaller pieces of food from his tray, its kinda fun to watch. And its great to us to all eat together to, he definately watches to see what we are doing and DP loves to show him a mouth full of food *rolls eyes* Men! Yeah the gagging thing can be a bit offputting at first but as you watch them learn to move the food around in their mouths, you get to learn when to be worried and when to chill about it. All in all, working well for us, 2 months on from starting ------------- Jan 08 :angel: http://lilypie.com"> 
 
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 06 September 2009 at 8:43pm
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I actually think the gagging is hilarious now I have got used to it.
Super idea about leaving the skin on part of the banana...didn't think of that! With finger food, I can't really call it BLW cause I still do some puree stuff at lunch but basically Cooper gets what I am eating. We share porridge in the morning & he gets bits off my plate at dinner if he's around. But basically when I eat if he's up he gets a sample. Probably not the best way of doing things but it works for us. Must say he's starting to get a handle on the spoon things so he'll probably be doing that himself in the near future. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com">
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: BerryBliss
Date Posted: 07 September 2009 at 10:02am
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Tessa has been having finger foods for awhile now as she would get so upset when we sat down to eat, it was to start off with just like a toy to suck and chew on but now she can "bite" (she has no teeth) pieces off and chew on them and move it around her mouth she still gags a bit on some foods but spits out what she can't handle. We love watching her eat. I think her fav food so far is kumara which she had last night didn't seem to like the apple but love pears and also brocolli. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  DD 1999 DS 2003 DS 2006 DD 2009 |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 28 October 2009 at 3:12pm
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Bump, was just talking about this IRL with another member this morning. Can this thread be moved to the feeding section, please admin? -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: lovingmummyhood
Date Posted: 28 October 2009 at 9:07pm
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Yay, thanks for bumping this Weegee. I've saved the BLW forum to my favourites so I'll be able to find it again ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 7:34am
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Andrew is 5mo and the plan is to start offering him food from 6mo but apparently he has other ideas. Yesterday I was eating a corn thin while bfing and he pulled off, grabbed my cracker and started sucking it. The other day it was an apple which he held and sucked furiously. I haven't finished reading Gill Rapley's book (thanks for recommending it Weegee) but I thought that BLW babies generally start at 6mo or later but since he's already grabbing at food I thought I'd just let him continue taking things as and when he wants them but actually start offering him his own foods when he's closer to 6mo. What would you do? -------------  
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Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 7:42am
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My DS started about 5.5 months old, they will pretty much tell you when ready, and he sounds like he is interested. Try some pear instead of apple, as apple tends to not mush up like pear does and you can end up with chunks too big to swallow.
Banana is good too. Just offer a little and see how he takes it. ------------- Jan 08 :angel: http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 8:18am
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I wasn't planning to do BLW but Morgan started grabbing pieces of apple or pear out of my hands just before 4.5months and tried to get a cracker and mandarin too - which I stopped - but she was so excited with sucking / gnawing at the apple or pear (gagged on the apple once which did scare me though). So at 4.5 months I gave her baby rice (she was over 9lbs at birth and has always been very hungry!) ..... but she could eat it herself with the spoon if I loaded it onto the spoon (messily though!)..... so it sounds like she would be ready eh? Even though she is quite young for BLW - she can feed herself with a spoon already and get fruit / rusks in her mouth and eat them. Now I'm wondering if I do BLW (especially with a fussy 2 year old who I weaned the traditional way) ....... ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: flakesitchyfeet
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 9:17am
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Boy is it worth it! Hollie is the apparently the best eating baby her kindy teachers have seen ~ ever. And when we take her out to others peoples places for a meal, we can just dish her up odds and ends of our plate, and she'll sit there and eat anything happily. Her current favourite snack is a whole gerkin, she eats it like a banana. -------------  http://lilypie.com"> |
Posted By: Joscia
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 9:57am
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Ha - Flake - that's awesome!
I'm planning on starting DS on solids next week when he's 6 months (26 weeks) - and am definitely going to give BLW a go. (Assuming my Gill Rapley book arrives in time - Grr whitcoulls!  )
It's great to hear all the good stories from people who are actually doing it. I'm finding it hard to explain to my mum why I want to do it and the benefits of it (especially when I haven't read the book yet) Seems she is just concerned about the potential mess on her cream carpet when we go to visit at Xmas... 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 10:34am
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i wish i had known abou BLW with my first two kids. I have done this with eden and it rocks!!!! she eats better than either of the boys and is really good with using her cutlery. that was my major concern cause i didnt use spoons much. but watching her pushing her food onto her fork with her knife is amazing... of course she still uses her hands but then she isnt even 2! lol! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 11:06am
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Joscia - my copy just arrived on Friday from mightape - they emailed me to say that there was a delay at the publishers, so perhaps whitcoulls are having the same issue?
Am trying to delay BLW with Aston until 6 months, but it's almost impossible, he will grab anything on my plate, or from others, and gets so grumpy if he's not allowed it (future tantrum thrower I think). Have given him bits and pieces, but now that I have the book I'll feel a bit more confident I think. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: SquishysMum
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 11:08am
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Joscia - put a big sheet down under the highchair - or a plastic 'messy mat', cos there is a lot of mess!!! Especially at the start. Lydia only stopped randomly throwing food over the side recently (maybe 3 weeks ago?), now she only does it when she doesn't want it any more.
BLW has been AMAZING, Lydia is such a good little eater and it's so easy to take her ANYWHERE! We started slightly early too, but only when she started pinching food off DH and I (about 5 months). Will be BLW all future children, it's just so great. |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 12:49pm
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Jo/Kelly, Esther has my book so I can't give you the full list of readiness signs, but there isn't a magic button that gets pressed at 6 months, some babies are ready earlier. As long as they are able to sit up unaided I would follow their lead -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: SquishysMum
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 2:25pm
| Re sitting unaided - my 8.5 month old still can't sit unaided! It's not the be-all and and-all of readiness signs. |
Posted By: Flutterby
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 3:03pm
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Cody started showing an interest in what we were eating at 4 1/5 mths so we just let him sample what we were eating when he wanted to up until approx 5 1/5 mths which is when we started offering his own meals. You will know when bubs is ready ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: palomino
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 6:46pm
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Big lover of it here now we are futher down the track. He will eat anything by himself and its great like tonight we had a roast dinner and just dished B up some.
Still get the MIL making up her "yummy" purees tho  have to laugh because B will refuse them and try and grab something off the table to eat.
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 22 November 2009 at 9:52pm
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Thanks for that Weegee. He can't sit unaided for very long but I put some food on the table in front of his highchair today and was very impressed with his ability to lean forward and grab what he wanted then sit back again to munch on it. I'd say he's ready to experiment. That's so funny about your MIL HUNTD. Mine has been telling me since DS was about 3 mo that it's about time I started giving him apple sauce to help "fill him up" (as if a few teaspoons of apples is filling I spent friday afternoon quoting passages of Gill Rapley's book to DH and convinced him it was a good idea, it wasn't difficult especially when I stroked his ego a bit and pointed out that's exactly what he ended up doing with DD when she started refusing 'baby food' (he was a sahd at the time) then today he went out and bought a mesh feeder -------------
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so he's clearly not 100% convinced yet but he's not silly, he'll soon see how good it is and I will either regift the feeder or find a use for it (maybe for ice chips on hot days when big sis is having and iceblock).Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 23 November 2009 at 2:08pm
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Had great fun with lunch today - Aston was in jolly jumper and I was eating sandwich. He was trying to bounce toward me with an "I'll kill you if you don't hand it over" look in his eye, so I pulled him out of jj, took his clothes off and put him in bumbo and put half the sandwich in front of him. White bread luncheon and mayo, all not very healthy and far too much salt, but he just ripped into it... its of bread and luncheon flying, spat out the bits that he'd had enough of, think he ate some, who knows - no issue if he didnt.
Afterwards, quick brush down of baby, a shake of the bumbo and tray on the grass (cats and dogs thought it was xmas already) and a wipe down and we were done! So much fun ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 23 December 2009 at 10:19pm
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bumping up ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 23 December 2009 at 11:49pm
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thanks Bizzy, its great to read everyones stories and tips ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: lovingmummyhood
Date Posted: 24 December 2009 at 12:56pm
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Awesome thanks Bizzy - now to test my skills and see if i can put a link to this thread in the other one... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Natalie_G
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 4:42pm
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I give Arianne some of our food to try out, lettuce she doesn't like lol. She LOVES chicken nuggets, sandwiches, crackers etc.
She also hates me feeding her stage 3 food, its really annoying because I should be cutting back her bottles and giving her more food in place but I get a bit concerned that she isn't eating enough. But she goes to bed happy and sleeps through the night still. Any suggestions on getting to her eat more stage 3 food until she can eat more finger foods?? ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 3:08pm
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Bump
I am thinking of doing this with the girls even though my Mother gave me the "I don't think so blah blah blah" Speech. I think I will gets my hands on a copy of Gill Rapley's book! ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!) 
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 3:21pm
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Would be great with twins Em, seriously it's so much easier than mucking about with pureeing! (Even though there is more mess.) Definitely get hold of the book if you can (you might be able to get it from the library, but I recommend buying it cos for the first few months we referred to it all the time). -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 3:24pm
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I have seen it on Trade Me for $25, might look at the book shop first to see if I can get it cheaper there though. I have been harping on to DP since he got home from work about how much cooler it would be. He hates mess though and is ALWAYS going on to Ethan about not using his hands Just wait to the girls start getting stuck in haha! ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 3:35pm
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seriously i dont think i was any more messier than when i did purees with my boys. thats probably cause i let them play with their food anyway. Eden was over 1 yr old i think when i gave her a spoon and let her feed herself yoghurt and stuff and now at almost 2 she is a tidier eater than the boys most of the time. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 3:44pm
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lol Ethan is an overly tidy eater! I think we must have made him paranoid He is so bad he had trouble eating a burger from Macca's we had to 'teach him' how to eat with his hands. ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 3:46pm
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Yeah that's an excellent point Deb, and fodder for your DH Em - now JJ is a much tidier eater and much more adept with cutlery than friends the same age - he can use a knife and fork while I have friends who are teaching toddlers older than JJ how to use a spoon They get started much sooner and it's great for their hand eye coordination! -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: mummymonster
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 5:34pm
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OK, one more time. . . I just start DS on finger food - like toddler food (as put somewhere above)? Clearly I don't have enough faith in this.
What about that list of stage 1, 2, 3 foods given by plunket? From above it sounds like most of the BLW mums considered all food fair game from day one. (And there's heaps of food not even on their list) I want to BLW DS, he's a bit over 5 months, sits well in his high-chair. I've been giving him puree lunch for about a week. Tried wedges of avocado last night - hilarious for us , messy and unproductive for him . The wedges would break in his fist so no chance of getting them to his mouth, he wanted to face-plant the high-chair tray to get some, but he was strapped in
He already wants to " help" get the spoon in his mouth. If I don't strongly guide him, the spoon ends up flat on his cheek. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 6:33pm
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you can give him exactly the same as what you already are - just dont puree it up. for instance carrots par boiled are great. potato, kumara, pumpkin all cut into wedges that are the right size for his hand are perfect.
nothing wrong tho also in giving him a piece of meat... just dont season his food. also dont do what my husband tried to do and make the pieces too small. they need to be able to hang on to one end and eat (or suck, chew whatever) the other. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 6:55pm
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I knew nothing about this until reading this thread and will get the book too now. Do they need to have teeth to start BLW? ------------- Our Angel July 08  Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 7:28pm
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from what I have read nope :) ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: mummymonster
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 7:39pm
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Think DS is missing the point. He kept making gold-fish faces at me (much like when I'm too slow getting him the next spoon of puree) and looking hopeful. He did get the brocolli in his mouth at one point, and he went
All good fun ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 7:46pm
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lol I'm sure he will get it :) I had Erynn on my lap while I Was eating dinner and she was looking for interestedly at our food. Although she is still a bit young I thought they could look what we are doing so they the get the idea of what we expect them to do! ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 7:53pm
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No teeth needed - just need to be able to sit up unaided - the book says 6 months to start, but I gave Aston bits and pieces before that, was just less full on and a bit more careful...
I've ignored plunket list altogether, have tried with him so far toast, muffins, hummus with dipping bread, steak, sausages, brocolli, corgettes, carrot, kumara, lamb roast, potatoes (likes them roasted, not fond of mashed), weetbix dry are great afternoon snack as they are easy to hold but go soggy, avocado, pineapple (one round cut in half, he worked out which side to eat), mandarins, hash browns, mushrooms (with his eye fillet at the restaurant), salad, rice risotto, pasta, spinach, fish fingers, chicken nuggets, salmon & feta pizza (made on pita bread, pizzas like that are great for the to hold and try new tastes)... well as you can see, the list goes on... basically, so long as he has control of the food, he can decide how far in his mouth it goes... not much goes in sometimes, but as at this age most of their nutrition is still gained from milk it's not a major...
Good luck! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 8:01pm
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crikey thats more range than my almost four year old will eat!! ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: monster
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 9:49pm
With BLW, after six months most food is fair game, but prior to that it's still often recommended to avoid wheat, dairy and meat. Also no honey before they're a year old. -------------
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Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 11 January 2010 at 10:49pm
Ah good to know. Thanks
kmasonnz what an awesome menu Cant wait for Jackson to start eating normal human food.
He tried nectarine tonight and loved it  ------------- Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 12:53pm
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Jake doesnt have an y teeth and he can eat pretty much anything except raw carrot.... -------------   
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Posted By: Mrs_B
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 1:15pm
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Do you limit how long they spend eating? DS has been refusing to be spoon fed the last few days so I have just been giving him fingerfood which is all new to me but when do you decide they have had enough?? I mean playing with the food is all part of the experimentation, right? He has been sitting in his highchair for the last hour and 10mins, and has had one mousetrap, a nectarine and now is using a piece of watermelon as a hammer in between bites -------------  
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Posted By: EmilysMum
Date Posted: 13 January 2010 at 12:50pm
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We just let DD get on with it and she lets us know when shes finished, usually about the time she windscreenwipers the high chair or starts carefully discarding things over the side one by one (shes obsessed with her pincer grip at the moment!). There were some really long meals to start with , but we're down to about 20mins on most occasions now. It is important to let them play with it, mess and all!
I was so proud the other day, she had udon noodles and veges for dinner and carefully picked out all the peas, brocolli and courgette pieces first and munched them down, expressing her pleasure with loud, constant mmmmmmmmms, the beans were disdainfully discarded over the side and then she slurped up the noodles. Shes also obsessed with her fork, and is starting to try to load it herself (at 11 1/2 months). I love BLW! |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 13 January 2010 at 1:51pm
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LOL jake makes those mmm sounds while eating too!
I have such a lazy boy, he has taken to giving me the spoon and waiting with his mouth open. LOL so cute! Jakes breakfast lasted about 45 mins this morning but lunch he wanted me to feed him so about 10 minutes. Not sure what to do about him wanting me to feed him... must be flashbacks to pre BLW days. -------------
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Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 13 January 2010 at 7:14pm
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we are having a bad few days, DD not interested in food and gets grumpy in the highchair resorted to mashing some organic baked beans up for her for lunch and helping load the spoon but she was over it pretty fast. I suppose its normal to go through ups and downs with food right? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: EmilysMum
Date Posted: 14 January 2010 at 1:31pm
| Yes, very normal skp! I wouldn't worry about it at all. I found it quite difficult trusting DD to know what she wanted at first, but now I just let her get on with it and she lets me know if she wants food or not, and what food is flavour of the day. She has off days, sometimes due to teething, or other things, but even on the days where her eating is right down her sleep has never been affected. |
Posted By: mummymonster
Date Posted: 14 January 2010 at 3:59pm
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I'm reading the Baby-led Weaning book by Gill Rapley now (admittedly I haven't got very far though it yet), and I just wanted to get others opinions on a couple of things. . . .
My boy was BF till 4mths, and it now fully FF (long story). The book says BLW is suitable only for BF babies. Really? My boy doesn't feed just because I wave a bottle in his mouth. And stuff about FF babies aren't good at chewing. Really? My fingers beg to differ as DS often decides he wants to chew (& drool on, much drooling) my fingers. And do you think 5.5 mths is too early to start BLW? He tried to get my bagel with cream cheese at lunch, and I stopped him because I was worried about the cream cheese (dairy too early). ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 14 January 2010 at 4:33pm
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I think I read somewhere that the thing about BF & FFing was because her test group that she did the research with were all BF babies, and also because BF babies tend to take food on demand... I dont really think it would make that much difference, it's just getting the muscles used to the actions.
Cream cheese is one of Astons favs... I think if you have allergies in the family you should be careful, but otherwise just make sure it's not too much. Trust your instincts, you know your baby. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Flutterby
Date Posted: 14 January 2010 at 4:39pm
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I say go with your instincts IsaacsMum . I haven't read the book and am wondering what the difference can be between BF and FF babies. Surely they have both learnt the same sucking/swallowing technique? And it shouldn't make any difference to BLW.
Cody started showing an interest in food at 5 mths so we just let him sample what ever we were eating for that month. I did avoid giving him dairy and spicy stuff just until he was more used to solids. Now I just let him have whatever we are having. He soon lets us know if he likes it or not (so far he likes everything). SKP I wouldn't worry to much about what amount she is eating at this stage, as she would still be getting alot of her nutrients from BF or FF. I admit that I load the spoon up for DS when he is having things that require it, but I just hold the spoon and he puts it in his mouth. He is only just starting to figure out what the spoon is for. We know he is finished when he starts taking his bib off or dropping food on the floor (makes me gratefull for having a dog). ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 14 January 2010 at 7:07pm
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IsaacsMum my DD is FF too, she has no problem with chewing and we started at 5 months 2 weeks cause she was really into it. But some days we don't really do much at all and others we do 3 meals all depends if she is grizzly and not interested or happy ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 14 January 2010 at 7:46pm
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i never read the book... sounds silly to me...
i think my kids were 5.5 when they started olids, but you will soon see if they arent interested. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: monster
Date Posted: 14 January 2010 at 8:23pm
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IsaacsMum, kmasonnz was right - Gill Rapley only studied BF babies so that's why she can't comment much about the FF side (don't know about the chewing thing though?!). It's also assuming FF babies being routine fed rather than demand fed. If you are demand feeding you'll be fine. There are a lot of people doing BLW with FF babies without any problems.
It doesn't sound too early to start, as you're only offering it. If he's not ready he won't pick it up and eat it. Just remember there's a huge range of when babies get the hang of it and start to eat greater amounts of food - he may just be tasting things for a couple of months, milk is still the most important thing for him. My boy started eating straight away (at six months) but wasn't eating three meals regularly until closer to 10 months. Skp - yep, babies will have days when they don't eat much (teething, illness, etc) but just try to trust they know best and that milk is meeting all their needs. -------------
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Posted By: mummymonster
Date Posted: 15 January 2010 at 8:53am
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thanks all. think i should just take a chill pill and if he steals food, great, and if not milk's enough. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 15 January 2010 at 9:10am
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That's right, "food is for fun until he's one" and all that. I don't have my copy of the book here but from memory she doesn't say it's *only* suitable for BF babies, she says it's *ideally suited* to specifically demand fed BF babies because they are used to controlling how much and how often they feed. I don't think she says it's no good for FF babies or routine fed babies (although like I said I don't have it here to check). -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 15 January 2010 at 12:52pm
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You guys were so right, the day after she started to go off food she got a bad tummy upset and was pretty sick yesterday. All fine now and back into eating just gobbled down homemade garlic kumera chips and some tuna!
We should start a post on suggestions of food to offer.... I'm always looking for really interesting tasty stuff to cook for our family that I can offer DD. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mummymonster
Date Posted: 18 January 2010 at 5:58pm
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bump ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Shonnie
Date Posted: 20 January 2010 at 2:34pm
| Wow this is all really interesting!!! One of my plunket nurses told me when Seth was 6 months and not really fussed at all on solids that I pretty much had to mush everything together and force feed him!!! But I trusted my gut feeling and left it, offering him finger foods and letting him choose what he wanted. He is now 8 and a half months and we are getting there. I would like to know the name and author of this book and also I am trying to find ideas of what other food I can give him. Is there anything I should avoid? What size pieces should things be as he hasn't go any teeth yet? How often should I offer finger foods to him? |
Posted By: mummymonster
Date Posted: 20 January 2010 at 5:59pm
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Author is Gill Rapley, I bought it off trademe for about $25 (about 35 in whitcouls)
Avoid honey till over 1 Avoid obvious choking hazards (e.g. peanuts, grapes etc) The size needs to be big enough for little hands plus a bit sticking out. They can't "pincer" grip or release fists on command at the early stages. We tried avocado & banana which was all good in theory, but every time DS would pick up a piece, he squished it in half and would fall off before getting to his mouth (much like watching an ice cream scoop falling off the cone). We laughed DS was unimpressed
We haven't really got the BLW going well yet. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 20 January 2010 at 6:11pm
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There is a specialised blw forum off this site that is specially for BLW and has recipes and advice etc. you can find it by going to babyledweaning.com and clicking forum. It's a great resource for ideas and advice.
Also I try not to prejudice his tastes based on my own dislikes, so i serve him things that I wouldnt in a million years eat myself (like kumara and parsnip) - I figure he can work out whether he likes it or not. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 29 March 2010 at 8:36pm
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I started a http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/Forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32565&PN=1&TPN=1 - photo thread for people to post photos of their little Baby-led weaner's. I'm so proud of my girls! ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 29 March 2010 at 9:49pm
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Thanks Emiloly, have just added some pics of Ben ------------- Lindsey 
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 29 March 2010 at 10:21pm
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Aww gorgeous! Love the plate photo. ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: MamaT
Date Posted: 30 March 2010 at 10:47am
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Thanks for bumping the thread up, I was just looking into this yesterday for when Cooper is ready for solids. Can't wait to go down this path, looks like so much fun and it totally makes sense to go this way rather than force feeding purees. Bet it won't go down too well with the MIL though -------------  
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 30 March 2010 at 11:15am
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lol! My in laws are really in to it, it's my folks who are having trouble adapting. The results speak for themselves! The girls are keen to try everything. And apart from the mess it is SO much easier having them feeding themselves then spooning mush in to both of them at the same time. ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: MamaT
Date Posted: 25 June 2010 at 11:25am
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Bump. We are starting to get ready with this and thought I'd do a bit more reading. DS has started reaching out for what I'm eating, but no other sigs as yet -------------
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 25 June 2010 at 11:32am
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Oh yay for Ben!! Post some photos when he gets started. I can't rave enough about BLW!! ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: millymollymandy
Date Posted: 25 June 2010 at 2:19pm
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This isn't something we have done due a to number of reasons. However, over the last 6 weeks (since 9 months) baby M has been getting into crackers with spreads, eggy toast, steak bits and veggie bits. Two snacks a day she feeds herself and am encouraging her to feed herself more and more. I have found that size is critical as is texture, anything too slippery is hopeless.
Does BLW include them feeding mushy things themselves? |
Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 25 June 2010 at 2:24pm
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I will spoon feed the girls yogurt and other runny stuff but they get the hang of things that are slippy quite fast! ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 25 June 2010 at 6:57pm
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Jude feeds himself runny things like soup, yoghurt and porridge. He hasn't quite got the hang of loading up a spoon yet so I will load the spoon and hand it to him but most of the time he just eats it with his hands. It's easy to add things like bread to soup or fruit to yoghurt to make it easier to grab but even if I don't he will just suck it off his hands. He loves soup so much that he will even stick his head in the bowl to get at it But I always add a spoon to his bowl - soon he will start to use it more and more. Must get around to buying him a small fork as well. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 25 June 2010 at 7:23pm
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heh .. you should have seen the girls eating apple crumble and custard today! So funny. And omg messy! HAHA Well they cleaned up ok but I can't say the same for the high chairs. They justed used their hands and shoveled it right in to their mouths. ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 25 June 2010 at 7:35pm
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Lol my FIL informed us that Jude's cousin is going to be fed "the tidy way". Besides the fact that I think mess is fun - it's giving me great pleasure that Jude is getting progressively tidier with his eating. They comment on it every time they see him eat now. have to say I feel a bit smug. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 25 June 2010 at 7:46pm
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haha so do our folks! There's not so much on the floor for the animals to clean up. ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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