Why BLW?

MrsPBNJ0220 · November 2011

I am by no means saying anything bad, and the post today got me thinking. What is the main reason for BLW? I have never read about it so I know nothing about it, so I figured you ladies could tell me the benefits to it over baby food and feeding them.

Also, is this something that would be tough to do if LO has allergies and DS dr has him on a strict what he can and can not eat schedule?

Thanks a million!

Wymasa · November 2011

This is an interesting blog entry about blw.

https://partofmeintro.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-led-weaning.html

MammaBear81 · November 2011

It's the belief that your baby "leads the way" in terms of eating foods. They are only ready for food other than formula/BM when they can feed themselves (meaning no purees, spoons, forks etc). I don't think it would be particularly hard to do with a restricted diet, depending on the foods that you LO is allowed to eat. I think it's a very interesting concept, it just isn't for us.

jcsumm0 · November 2011

Here is a good place to start: https://www.baby-led.com/ click on "top 10 benefits of BLW"

For me the big things are that I feel like it is a natural way to feed my baby and allow her to decide what she eats and what she likes. I think/hope it will make her a better eater as a toddler and adult. It is also easier b/c I don't have to make special food for her!

I think it would be just fine for a baby w/allergies. Obviously you can't just plop down whatever you happen to be eating, but all the things my baby has had so far are just simple, whole foods w/little to no allergen potential--slice of avocado, steamed broccoli, sweet potato wedges coated in olive oil and baked, raw banana, strip of turkey.

This is also a good website w/forums too https://www.babyledweaning.com/ and reading the book is very helpful.

Spartanmama722 · November 2011

I think PP said the general point of BLW very well and succinctly . Personally we're doing some BLW (though we're not doing 100% BLW, more a combination of BLW and purees) because I just like the idea of Ev learning to eat on his own. I've also read there's less risk of choking with BLW since they're in control of how much they're taking in, which is another benefit I like. Also, we're doing it partially for the purely selfish reason that I think meat purees are gross and I'd rather just give him pieces of meat to eat himself.

So far we haven't had any issues with his allergies and feeding (but we're just starting out) - we're just planning to feed him pieces of foods he would be able to eat in puree form, so allergies shouldn't be a concern. I know some people do BLW by giving the baby some of whatever the parents are eating, but with the allergies we decided it'd be easier to stick to single foods that we know won't cause reactions.

CarlaAndJames · November 2011

Wymasa:

This is an interesting blog entry about blw.

https://partofmeintro.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-led-weaning.html

Thanks for posting this! I "liked" the facebook group and there is a lot of great info there!

Wymasa · November 2011

CarlaAndJames:
Wymasa:

This is an interesting blog entry about blw.

https://partofmeintro.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-led-weaning.html

Thanks for posting this! I "liked" the facebook group and there is a lot of great info there!

You're welcome! I love that group, they post tons of questions and get tons of helpful responses.

RobinSparkles81 · November 2011

hruhlman:
(though we're not doing 100% BLW, more a combination of BLW and purees) Also, we're doing it partially for the purely selfish reason that I think meat purees are gross and I'd rather just give him pieces of meat to eat himself.

lol this is EXACTLY me...the thought of meat puree makes me want to Ick!

We haven't given her meat yet though as pedi said to wait until just before her next visit (at 6 1/2 months). So far we've given her purees of apple, pear, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans and squash...the only thing we've given to her whole was banana which she wasn't really in love with. Once she hits 6 months (Thursday) we'll start to introduce more solids and less purees.

CarlaAndJames · November 2011

I thought the main point of BLW is that they learn in a different order. If that's the case, introducing purees at the same time it doesn't really do that right? Since they're learning to swallow when you feed puree?

I'd like to be able to send some purees to school and do BLW at home, but I kind of figured that was out since she'd be learning to swallow purees and it would confuse her and make her gag more or even up her chances of choking when we give her whole solids at home?

Nickiechan · November 2011

I want to read up about this... but I am at work will have to check it out tomorrow, just want to keep it in 'My Post' to read up on it. Computer

Thanks for the input!

kaitylin · November 2011

I'm really intrigued by this now - I never really knew what it was so thanks for the post!

11kacey · November 2011

CarlaAndJames:
I thought the main point of BLW is that they learn in a different order. If that's the case, introducing purees at the same time it doesn't really do that right? Since they're learning to swallow when you feed puree?

I'd like to be able to send some purees to school and do BLW at home, but I kind of figured that was out since she'd be learning to swallow purees and it would confuse her and make her gag more or even up her chances of choking when we give her whole solids at home?

I got a mesh feeder and will put slices of apple or avocado in it (or other fruits) and let Molly gnaw on it when she is ready. I would think that would be perfect for daycare!

mari_gold · November 2011

For me the benefits are 1) I don't have to spend half my meal spoon-feeding a child, guessing when she has had enough or wants more; 2) she learns to eat as she'll eat for most of her life and to her own level of satiety; 3) I don't have to worry about keeping "baby" food on hand, since she'll eat what we're eating; 4) she'll get to try a wider variety of foods and textures; and 5) it's just a more enjoyable, more educational experience for her.

As you probably guessed, I'm a big proponent of BLW. That said, it isn't all or nothing. I'm sending purees to daycare because until Gabby is a more experienced eater, I want to make sure she has someone who can watch her the entire time she's eating.

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