- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Attachment Parenting
Question about BLW? (long, sorry)
Hi,
I currently Bf my almost 5 month old and we were told to start doing solids anytime after 4 months when she starts showing signs of readiness. I was planning to wait until 6 months because of her size, and other things. She hasn't doubled her weight yet, she still has 1 and a half lbs to go until that happens. I don't want my milk supply to suffer since we have had issues with that, but shes already showing other signs of readiness. She sits at the table with us during meal time becuase that is family time... she tries to grab food from me and lick things if I'm holding her. Her tounge thrust is going away, etc.
So sorry about that long intro, but BLW - following your babies readiness - should I try giving her little bits of cereal here and there (I am going to start withcereal because we have family history of low iron all around and I can't stand pureed meats) or wait until 6 months like I orginally planned. Sorry if this is flamable, but ds was so a "schedule" baby when it came to this, he was "ready" at 6 months, started finger foods quickly and has been good to go... lol. DD is keeping me on my toes!
Any advice would be great! Thanks!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Question about BLW? (long, sorry)
yes thank you! she just seems like she wants food right now... if I would hold something for her, she would lick it I'm sure, lol. but she's defiantely not ready for finger food,
I think a lot of babies just show a lot of interest in whatever they can get their hands on, even our food :-) If you think about it, they don't even know what it is, or that it can do anything for their hunger. True BLW is about offering LO finger-type foods, and allowing them to explore it on their own, which is why it is so important to start closer to or at 6 months. I would think at this point your DD is still getting everything she needs, including iron, from your breastmilk. If that's the only thing you are worried about, and still want to do BLW at 6 months, then I would try to boost her diet with leafy greens, lentils, etc. to get good iron.
Has her pedi checked her iron levels? If it runs in your family, I would have them check before starting cereal, since it is otherwise unnecessary for her at this age. That's just my opinion though :-)
This is so true. DS has been grabbing my plates, bowls and silverware since three or four months, but we just started solids at about six and a half months and it's actually been slow going. We're still working on doing one meal a day, and some days he doesn't swallow anything at all. The actual mechanics of eating is a lot more complicated than moving the object to their mouth, so the readiness signs you see on a lot of check-lists are really just a start. Even if LO is hitting all those signs, they may or may not be quite ready for solids.
That's just my two cents, based on what we're experiencing now. GL on your decision!
Ditto to PPS about reading Gill Ripley's book. What you are describing doesn't quite sound like BLW. No judgment in that, just letting you know that the book may help give you a clearer picture about BLW as you navigate whatever strategy/blend of options works for your family.
With BLW a baby doesn't mean pureed meat, baby eats suitable whole meat (chicken on the bone is an example in the book. We gave LO a chunk of pit smoked pork tonight--his first meat.) In terms of iron, check this out: https://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.html (abliet BLW doesn't restrict meat to just the end of the firsr year). As you'll read in that article, while rice cereal is high in iron, baby's body is inefficient at processing that value. In contrast,, BM has less iron but it is processed excellently. In terms of other iron-rich foods: spinach is a great early food that is high in iron. There also is at least one study out there that says EBF until 7 months is associated with higher iron levels than starting solids earlier.
As to some of your other questions: we knew we wouldn't start before 6 months even though LO showed all of the signs since that age marker is key with BLW. Many signs are just normal development and not necessarily an interest in food. He would grab at food or try to lick it just like he does with a toy or my hair or the corner of a table, LOL! LO did start mock chewing a week before he turned 6 mo and at that point we felt good at offering at 6 months rather than waiting even later.
With BLW, food is for experimentation, not primary nutrition so your milk supply should not be impacted. The idea is to nurse on cue, like always, and is a separate thing than eating. Baby doesn't know that food is filling, so food will not replace nursing for some time.
Good luck with finding the best path for your family!
More Green For Less Green