BLW

rmwt001 · July 2011

We are considering doing baby led weaning but am still concerned about the gagging/choking. Any one out there who did BLW have advice to offer?

TIA

kristenrudderham · July 2011

I can't say enough about how happy we are we did BLW. After months of doing it, she is an awesome eater and it is SO much easier. It just seems so natural to let them stay in charge if they have been on-demand fed. DD didn't gag or choke at all. I do think some babies are just gaggier than others, but if you wait until they are truly ready, I believe you diminish the scary bits. Remember, gagging is normal and is what actually prevents the baby from choking. If you watch them closely, you should be fine. If you really hate it or your LO is really gaggy at least you tried, but if you don't try, your baby could be natural and you would have missed out. Give it a go!

rmwt001 · July 2011

Thanks! That's great to hear. Did you give her small thing like cut grapes and cherries? Those are the types of things I am having the hardest time with. How about cereals - did you just do a very thick oatmeal and let her feed herself? I eat oatmeal every morning and was thinking it could be an easy thing to share.

Angela814 · July 2011

I loved doing it. It just seemed so much easier than the purees we did with dd1. She did gag some but learned very quickly. You'll probably want to do large pieces at first. I wouldn't worry about grapes (cut up) or cheerios for a couple months. Once DC develops the pincher grasp, you can add those sorts of things. One thing I've noticed now, pieces of food either need to be bite size or large. Anything in the middle, DD2 puts the whole thing in her mouth. I don't think she knows if she's supposed to take a bite or if that is the bite.

kristenrudderham · July 2011

We did mostly fruit, veg, and meat cut into finger size pieces she could nibble/gnaw. We encountered one issue in that she got really frusterated when she would be trying to eat and not succeed, she'd scream and holler. So sometimes we will load a spoon with certain easy-to-eat things like oatmeal or mashed veg or sticky grain (if that is what we are having) and offer it to her and she guides it into her mouth. She wouldn't be able to get much in if we just gave it on her tray and she would throw a fit. Grapes are good if peeled (pain in the ass) but the skins are too tough, otherwise. We have had good luck with blueberries, chickpeas and beans if you just pinch them between your fingers to split the skin so it isn't one solid piece. (But her pincer came along early) I also give her one egg yolk cooked in the microwave in one piece, she's really good at getting that down. Banana is a huge hit, if it is firm, I'll give her the pieces cut lengthwise, once she beats it up and gets it slimey, she can't hold it anymore, so I will just hold it and let her eat from my hand...not strict BLW but it works for us and our very impatient daughter.

WildcatPrincess · July 2011

Gagging is likely to happen no matter what age you start solids, at least when they're younger the gag reflex is closer to the front of the mouth and not the windpipe! DD gagged a lot the first couple weeks, but never legitimately choked. We started with oversteamed veggies, banana, toast fingers, and softer meats (chicken breast, ham, etc). Her pincher came along late so she didn't have peas, blueberries, Cheerios, anything like that until 9-10 months. She'll eat anything we put in front of her now and some of her favorite meals totally shock people - they expect her to be eating chicken nuggets and grilled cheese lol. I can't imagine doing solids any other way, really.

Want a personalized experience?

BLW

Re: BLW

Choose Another Board

Search Boards