Another BLW question

flummadiddle85 · September 2013

I'm like the post below- DS is just a couple weeks shy of 6 months, and I'm hopping over from the 3-6mo board.

We are wanting to do BLW, and I've been reading up on it. DS's 6mo appointment isn't until a week after he turns 6 months, and that's when the pedi will talk to us about starting solids. Although, I'll probably just start the week before since he's showing all the signs of being ready.

But I'm just curious what others have done. I've read that you should introduce foods one at a time, watching for signs of an allergic reaction, and wait 4 days until giving a new food. And then I read that there's not much reason to do that unless you have a family history of food allergies.

So, did you just let LO eat whatever you were eating, not worrying if you were introducing more than one food at a time? Or just one at a time?

Also, did you/are you following what some of the suggestions say as far as avoiding highly allergenic foods until one year (peanuts, eggs, fish, etc)?

TIA!

ebp913 · September 2013

Here's what I did with DD and I am doing the same with DS. We have no reason to believe that either kid has food allergies so the only thing I will not allow DS to eat is honey. Basically that's it. I personally don't even wait on peanut butter or eggs or fish but that can be a rather hot topic so do what you like. They get whatever we are eating and if we aren't eating something appropriate (like fast food) then I will give some veggies or meat or cheese. I try to offer 2 or 3 things per meal. I like letting them choose.

nanabanana06 · September 2013

We didn't avoid anything, except salt and fish. There is little reason to avoid foods, unless there's a serious allergy in your family or your family is allergy prone. Cade has had many foods, he's done great with them all. Stop worrying and have fun! I will say that in the beginning I gave him mostly steamed veggies and fruits until he was starting to actually eat things. Then we went to full on meals. I think we only did an array of fruits and veggies for like 2 weeks.

kjsmith9 · September 2013

The only things we are avoiding are honey and fish (since we have fish allergies on both sides of our families). Obviously we aren't giving nuts due to choking hazard, but she's had peanut butter... Also have done eggs already (although DD isn't a huge fan). We didn't do the whole 4 day waiting thing - and I honestly don't think many BLW families do...

kerbear135 · September 2013

As far as allergen foods, our pedi told us we could give her anything but straight cow's milk or honey. Studies have recently shown that delaying introduction to those foods does not prevent food allergies like previously thought. She also told us no peanuts or popcorn or anything small like that that could pose a choking hazard, but that was pretty obvious without her telling us. We started DD right at 6 months b/c she was showing signs of being ready, and the kid loves to eat. At first, we only did 1 new food a day to watch for allergies, but we don't have any allergies on either side of the family, so now we just give her some of whatever we're eating and she goes to town.

WriterMama924 · September 2013

This is the first time I've even heard of this method. It sounds like something I would want to try, since LO is very handsy when food is on the table. How do you avoid choking?

nanabanana06 · September 2013

kristenhdavis said:
This is the first time I've even heard of this method. It sounds like something I would want to try, since LO is very handsy when food is on the table. How do you avoid choking?

Most people do not know the difference between choking and gagging. If they are coughing or making any noise then they are not choking. You start with easy to handle shapes for the baby. Spears at first and as they learn a pincer grasp you make things smaller.

ebp913 · September 2013

Nana_Osaki06 said:

This is the first time I've even heard of this method. It sounds like something I would want to try, since LO is very handsy when food is on the table. How do you avoid choking?
Most people do not know the difference between choking and gagging. If they are coughing or making any noise then they are not choking. You start with easy to handle shapes for the baby. Spears at first and as they learn a pincer grasp you make things smaller.

Agreed. Youtube some baby led weaning gagging videos and see what you think. I am not going to lie, it is somewhat alarming when your baby gags but knowing what is gagging and what is choking is the most important thing. Last night DS was gagging because he kept jamming a long strip of roasted chicken in his mouth. I watch him but let him be mostly. It's important for him to learn how to eat and this is just part of it.

Also know that a baby's gag reflex is very close to front of their mouth which is why babies gag so much in general. As they get older, it moves more down the throat so gagging becomes less likely.

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