BLW: Baby Led Weaning. Lots of questions

emw8910

Hi guys! I was just introduced to BLW tonight and I wanted to get some advice from some of you that have done it.

LO turned 6 months this past Saturday and she's just not interested in eating from a spoon at all. I didn't even know this was an option but I'm very interested in it!

I'm mainly looking for any and all advice you have on it.

What are the easiest/best ways to prepare things, cut them up small or give her bigger pieces to hold and naw on?

Can she have just about anything were having? Of course within reason. Could she have a piece of bread/toast to chew on? Spaghetti chopped up? Whatever we're having for dinner, etc.

I've done some research on it but I'm pretty much clueless as the best way to get started.

jafiorino

We just started... at this age things should be large, french fry shaped so they can hold it and gum it. You can do bread and pasta in moderation, however too much will cause constipation. BBC has a BLW board, and I definitely recommend visiting the baby led weaning website.We have done sweet potato fries and avocado slices so far (just turned 6 mo Friday). educate yourself on choking vs gagging. Banana, ground beef, apples, and broccoli are next on our list. 

MrsG071809

We have also just started - loving it so far!  I read the BLW book, and found it really helpful.  I had done a lot of research online, but the book gave me a good idea of foods to start with, what to avoid, and what to expect, along with a good explanation of why BLW is a logical way to start solids.

Like PP said, you want long thin pieces of food - they don't yet know how to open their hand to get food out, so if the pieces are too small they won't be able to get them in their mouth (I witnessed this first hand last night with banana that I cut up too small - it was actually quite funny watching her put her entire fist in her mouth just trying to figure out how to get the piece that was in her hand).  You basically just want it long enough that when they grab it, there is still some sticking out of their fist that they can get in their mouth.

Yes, she can have mostly what you eat eventually.  I think it's better to start with veggies & fruits, but as she gets the hang of it the idea is to just have them eat what you eat.  We've done avocado and banana so far... I think broccoli will be next.

Also agree with PP to learn the difference between choking vs gagging.  And be prepared for a mess!  Also be prepared for her not to really eat at first...it's more playing and learning the first few tries.  We started last week, and just last night she was finally actually swallowing some food I think.

Good luck!  It's so fun watching them figure out how to eat

flummadiddle85

Everything PP ave said. We started week and a half ago. So far mostly just fruits and veggies, a bit of brown rice, a bit of pork the other day (shredded). DS actually did eat the first day, the proof was in the diaper. Also, I read bread can be a choking hazard if it starts to collect at the roof or the mouth or something. So toast is supposed to be better. And banana gets slippery! I leave a bit of the peel on so DS can grab at something.

honeydew01

How long did it take your LO to actually eat some food?

My DD is 6.5. We started with purees but she was not a fan of being spoon fed like at all. She'd open her mouth a little to test whatever I was giving her and then she'd turn her head side ways and shut her mouth. She made/makes the disgusted look for every food. And then she's zone out and be disinterested in anything food related.

So I started BLW a week or so ago with avocado, then broccoli and last night she tried carrots. She plays with them and puts them in her mouth but they mostly end up on the floor or on her. Sometimes she gets her fist in her mouth instead of the food but I know she's learning. She takes big chucks off then spits it out. I've read the book and it says the first 3 months they're just testing/playing. I know breastmilk is enough for her right now and food for the first year is for fun but I'm really hoping she'd start eating more soon.

MrsG071809

@honeydew01 I think every baby will be different.  DD has probably only swallowed a hand full of bites at this point, but figures it out and ends up actually eating a little more each day.  That's one of the great things about allowing them to go at their own pace, is if they aren't ready they don't have to eat.  My DH is having a hard time with this, and wonders why it's ok to just let her play with her food, but I have to explain to him that her little mind and body are figuring it all out, and when she's ready she'll get the hang of it.