anyone do baby-led weaning?

l.m.k. · February 2011

We're thinking about trying this method of introducing solid foods, and I'd love feedback from anyone who has done it. Thanks!

Lucky_N_Love · February 2011

We did and loved it. I can answer any specific questions that you have. I read (about half of and skimmed) the Baby Led Weaning book by Gill Rapley. It worked great for us. I *almost* want to feed any other kids we have in a more traditional manner just to compare them. LOL I think I should have been a socialogist or people researcher Stick out tongue

KYmama9286 · February 2011

We kind of did a modified version of this. Basically we did purees only a few times and realized they were pointless and DS had no interest. So we moved to our table food (trying not to mix different foods for allergy purposes but we were really bad about it and thankfully DS never had any negative reactions Embarrassed

) We give him a variety of things, let him pick what he wants and we give it to him in large pieces (strips of toast, grilled cheese, etc. whole celery pieces, whole pretzels, etc.) He still does some baby food now since our nutritionist made us add it back in to get extra calories in him (for medical purposes, not a normal situation). But other than that he gets exactly what I eat during the day.

l.m.k. · February 2011

Thanks girls!

Lucky_N_Love:
I can answer any specific questions that you have. I read (about half of and skimmed) the Baby Led Weaning book by Gill Rapley.

Do you think I should read the book? I've already read a lot about BLW on the interwebz.

Did you girls give anything in particular for a first food?

Did either of you buy a crinkle cutter for slippery fruits and veggies?

We are planning on starting at 6 months unless DD can sit up sooner. What age did you start?

Any other tips/advice?

KYmama9286 · February 2011

We gave him his first food ever (homemade pureed green beans) at 6 months, we did purees maybe 1x/week for the whole 6th month and realized it was pointless b/c he didnt like it and was barely eating a tsp of food. At 7 months is when we tried using the food mill to do purees which he liked better but it was still far and few between and by 8 months he was eating everything we were (seasoned how we ate it) and it worked out much better. We probably just should have started with table food and skipped purees.

adamsbabble · February 2011

It makes sense to me, but we still did purees (for a short time and pretty inconsistently). I never felt like I needed to have them on a breakfast/lunch/dinner schedule of purees and didn't worry about how many oz. of food they were taking in, as it really is unnecessary, but I wanted to give them a taste of this and that and satisfy their interest. I didn't feel that was hurting anything.

Lucky_N_Love · February 2011

Do you think I should read the book? I've already read a lot about BLW on the interwebz.

You don't really need to if you've done quite a bit of research. There is not real method that you need to read and learn like per se sleep training. It was a good book with nice pictures but there is so much online about it now that you will learn lots.

Did you girls give anything in particular for a first food?

We did (steamed) carrots, broccoli, squash, sweet potato, asparagus, etc. We did toast and penne pasta for grains then eventually introduced fruit, watermelon, cantelope, pineapple, etc. We waited with fruits just because I knew she wouldn't want to try other things because they are so good and sweet. Even now I give her fruit after her meal.

We didn't have any waiting time between foods. I would give several foods at a time. For example a first meal of hers would have been whole grain penne pasta, steamed broccoli and carrots.

Did either of you buy a crinkle cutter for slippery fruits and veggies?

No but why didn't I think of this?! That would have been super helpful especially with her love of pears that are so slippery and slimy

We are planning on starting at 6 months unless DD can sit up sooner. What age did you start?

We waited til 6 monthes but DD also started sitting just a week or so before 6 monthes

Any other tips/advice?

Make sure you understand choking vs gagging and be prepared to keep others around you calm. I probably looked like the worst mom or the most calm mom when my grandma at a family picnic screamed "She's choking....!" "No Grandma, she is just gagging she will be just fine"

It was scary at first I had 2 moments where I almost lost it and tried to help her, but i held out and she worked the food out on her own. Sometimes I would make chewing motions with my mouth so she knew what to do.

Have fun watching your little one explore foods and make choices for herself. Don't freak out if she doesn't eat anything. Ask if you have more.

l.m.k. · February 2011

Thanks so much!!

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