Baby Led Weaning (BLW)

arhodes6 · January 2017

@shaylalr in the BLW book it says if your baby isn't ready they won't eat. Maybe that's the case with your LO which is why she won't take anything. And babies get their nutrition from milk and formula anyway at this point. It's not like the one carrot Q ate today did much lol! I'm sure if you keep trying she will pick up on it in her own time

TiffRox81 · January 2017

Love how many of the babies are loving their solids! We've had a lot of fun introducing them in our house too. So far she's taken to everything. All three things we've tried, haha! For those of you doing purées....how often are you giving them? What sort of quantity? I'm not doing them daily because some days are more chaotic than others. But when I do I typically give her a 3oz bottle and about 1.5oz purée/BM mix. And that's just once a day. Does that sound about right??

jennyleigh16 · January 2017

@TiffRox81 We just started purees last week but so far we're doing about a tablespoon and a half 3 times when day. He's breastfed so I feed him puree and then offer the boob afterwards so I know he's not going hungry. Right now it's more about getting them used to food than about keeping them full with real food.

TiffRox81 · January 2017

@jennyleigh16 Ok that sounds like a similar quantity, per day! I assumed doing the solids twice a day, at 1.5oz would be a bit much. L is breastfed also...but often times when I come home from work she will have just eaten or need to eat. Due to my pumping schedule I usually do a bottle when I get home and nurse throughout the night/morning. Seems to be working so far!! I think this coming week we'll try the broccoli. And then eggs! Didn't know that was an option for them. Most things I was finding online suggested the squashes, sweet potatoes, avocado, apples and bananas.

arhodes6 · January 2017

@TiffRox81 Q loves eggs! And it's super easy for me since I make eggs for myself every morning. Just be sure they are WELL done otherwise they can get sick. I scramble both of our together, take mine out and leave his in for a little while longer to be sure they are really well done. But he eats a whole egg scrambled! I have only done it a few days because I want him to try other foods, but by far eggs are his fav.

DachshundMomma · January 2017

Oo we may need to try eggs! I'm betting DS would love them.
We do a lot oatmeal. He spits up a lot and the oatmeal really calms his stomach.

[Deleted User] · January 2017

We just got the go ahead from our pedi to start solids! Starting with a sweet potato puree I made, DH is heading to the store after work to pick up a few Earth's Best purees and some bananas and avocados. So excited to start!!

austinjl · January 2017

Mamas- I really want to do BLW....I gave him a small piece of banana. He sucked on it, sucked t into his mouth, gagged, choked, then threw up. The choking part was as a terrifying 10 seconds. BUT he did seem much more interested in the actual food compared to the baby purees he gets. He pretty much just spits those out. How do I get over the fear of him choking?!?!?'

arhodes6 · January 2017

@austinjl we have been doing BLW for over a week and, to be honest, I'm still scared of him choking. He gags at least once during every meal, but I have watched him work it out and trust that he can do it. The first time, I tried to trick my DH in to convincing me to quit BLW and do purées, but I have been so excited and adamant about it for a while that DH didn't want me to give up. The book says they will choke and gag, but that as long as he is working it out he is fine. I still freak on the inside when he take too big of a bite, but he always works it out. And he has gotten better with each meal. It does get easier, but we are moms and I think we will worry over stuff like this for the rest of their lives.

FTM53 · January 2017

So DH has not been so game for BLW, but over NY, his father came up with his wife and my mom was also there (3 different grandparents) and they convinced him to try it while out at a restaurant. AJ ate the vast majority of a pickle (DH held it and DS sucked and chomped on it). Last night I did the same with several broccoli florets. DS LOVED them! It was awesome to see him eat regular grownup food. Even with the purées, we've made them thicker than stage 1.

shaylalr · January 2017

Anyone using spices on their food for baby? I thought that might be fun for her. Basil in her eggs, etc.

LDSJM123 · January 2017

Yes! For my oldest I used all kinds of Herbs, cinnamon, ginger, cumin, and curry powder (it's not spicy). Plan to do the same thing for Miss M. @shaylalr

[Deleted User] · January 2017

shaylalr said:

Anyone using spices on their food for baby? I thought that might be fun for her. Basil in her eggs, etc.

Along with this- I am nervous to introduce any foods that might be "spicy" or super flavorful. Any tips for slowly adding these? We just started solids last night so I know we have a ways to go before we are used to human food haha.

FTM53 · January 2017

@schaze start small and slowly introduce more and more flavorful things. I'm letting DS show me what he's interested in. We were at BBQ the other night and DS kept trying to grab my ribs and BBQ sauce. So I dipped a finger in the sauce and let him suck it...

LDSJM123 · January 2017

It might be because I'm a STM, but M will be getting what we're having with however it's been spiced/seasoned. I cook just about everything from scratch so I know what's in it so I'm not worried about her getting too much sodium (like they warn about in processed food) I don't cook much that's terribly spicy.. that might be the one thing I'd be cautious about. @schaze

shaylalr · January 2017

We are used to eating everything at least a little spicy! I am hoping that E will be alright with that when I start to introduce it. For now, I am just going to separate some for her and then make it spicy for us.

winnie1122 · January 2017

We decided to go the purée route for now, but I'm curious if the BLW method says anything about foods that are high-risk for developing allergies? A lot of the info for traditional weaning (purees) that I've been referring to so far has been very emphatic about not introducing certain foods because of allergy risks. I'm extra cautious just because we're already dealing with allergies, but has anyone else read this? I know some of the things on the list I'm thinking of were eggs, cinnamon, soy, etc.

FTM53 · January 2017

@winnie1122 I'm not sure about BLW, but research just came out that you SHOULD introduce you 4+ month old to small amounts of the high risk allergens because it will help build an immunity of sorts (i.e. They won't develop the allergy). I don't have the actual study, but something to bring to you pediatrician for sure.

winnie1122 · January 2017

@FTM53 Good to know! We have an appointment Monday so I'll definitely ask. I just get so nervous about it now because of his current allergies so I don't want to accidentally cause more!

[Deleted User] · January 2017

We were also just told yesterday to introduce peanut butter, eggs, etc. early since it can help prevent them from being allergic later. The only thing we were told is a no-no was honey.

CarbAddict · January 2017

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/05/well/eat/feed-your-kids-peanuts-early-and-often-new-guidelines-urge.html?action=click&contentCollection=health&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

This article talks about new recommendations for introducing allergen foods.

winnie1122 · January 2017

@CarbAddict Thank you!!!! I'm going to take that article with me to the ped on Monday. He's pretty old school when it comes to allergies so maybe he's not the best fit for us since LO is already allergy-prone. So glad you shared that.

[Deleted User] · January 2017

@winnie1122 there's another good article on NPR with links to studies done if you need more backup:

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/05/508348588/new-guidelines-tell-parents-when-to-introduce-babies-to-peanut-products

adough27 · January 2017

I have been giving C oatmeal, so she can get used to eating solids. I really do not want to do the pureed stuff, but I was wondering with BLW, do I just give her cut up bananas and avocados and see how she does? How do you start BLW? Thank you in advance for all your help!

HoneyBear40 · January 2017

S definitely seems ready to be eating more solids - we have been giving her bananas with rice cereal and they have been trying sweet potatoes at daycare. I'd like to try BLW but really feel like we're going to have to start eating a little healthier before giving her what's on our plates lol

mnkenned · January 2017

@austinjl I just got the blw cookbook and 'raising a healthy, happy eater' and they give good guidelines on how to prepare foods so they don't choke. I.e., cut avocados and apples in wedges, sweet potatoes in spear, bananas cut in half and leave the peel mostly on aside from the bit at the end. They say avoid small pieces of stuff. Basically, make it easy for them to grab and gnaw on

Rosie is not so much into food. DH was dying to try something so we cheated up by two weeks (my pedi did say that a week or two shy of 6 mo was ok) and tried some applesauce and she was not super interested. Today, I tried an avocado and I think the slippery texture threw her off lol. I swear she puts everything BUT food in her mouth. She did like gnawing on a strip of tortilla the other day so I'll take that as a win.

mnkenned · January 2017

Update! Today I gave her a green bean from my Panda Express (airport food...but I do love panda) and she loved it! Too bad I hate green beans and never make them at home, lol.

LDSJM123 · January 2017

mnkenned said:

Update! Today I gave her a green bean from my Panda Express (airport food...but I do love panda) and she loved it! Too bad I hate green beans and never make them at home, lol.

Just grab a bag of frozen ones. Same for any fruit/veggie you don't like. You can make enough just for her. Then she'll get to eat them and you don't have to

FTM53 · January 2017

So...AJ loves broccoli florets whole, but I tried puréeing some and he HATES it. Refuses to eat it. One point to BLW

FTM53 · January 2017

Tried some roasted eggplant today. It was a hit! He kept trying to shove it all in his mouth before he finished the last bite

mnkenned · January 2017

Today we tried mashed potatoes and kale, and the kale stalk was the hands-down winner

babycakesday · January 2017

I have to say that I've been giving blw a try for some meals. She really seems to enjoy, but husband gets super freaked out. His cousin died from choking at age 2. Are any of your husbands resistant? How do you get them.on board?

mnkenned · January 2017

Mine is, but I just roll my eyes and do what I want. Lol, jk (kinda). I just showed him what kinds of things we could try that are pretty choke proof as well as the book i bought that was written by a pediatrician and gives it the ok with precautions. I also plan on asking our ped next week at our 6 month appt (which obviously may backfire...)

kellz14 · January 2017

@babycakesday That is terrible and heart breaking about your husband's cousin

.

A new study shows that rate of choking for BLW is no different than traditional weaning, as long as you are presenting the right kinds of foods in the right way: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Baby-Led-Weaning-Does-Not-Increase-Choking-Risk-When-Modified-for-Safety.aspx

[Deleted User] · January 2017

@LDSJM123 I can't for the life of me find where you posted this, but you said M had tried meat already, right? I can't remember how you said you introduced it..

LDSJM123 · January 2017

Yes she's had some. Ground turkey, Chicken, and ham. The ground turkey I just left as it was (I did help her) but chicken and ham I cut into strips and let her do her thing. She doesn't have teeth yet, so just lots of gumming/sucking. She's had some fish too. But I fed her that, because we were at a restaurant and it's flaky so hard for her to manipulate. @schaze

kburg15 · January 2017

I'm also having a lot of trouble getting the husband on board with BLW also. F gagged a few times and he's legit convinced he was choking--and I admit, it's terrifying to watch. The last couple days we've done mashed up sweet potatoes with a baby fork instead. Any advice is welcome!

arhodes6 · January 2017

@schaze we have done meat as well. We did salmon and I just gave him chunks big enough to hold but made sure there was no bone, and he has had slices of turkey meatloaf, hamburger, and this stew with ground turkey that I actually did with a spoon but I held the spoon out and he decided when it went in his mouth. Meat seams to be his fav thing to try so far.

AshGee18 · January 2017

We have been mixing purees with breastmilk to help her. She LOVES cereals which we were told to use first to help her gain some weight. Pears/avacado/apples have all been mixed with some breastmilk. We had to feed her prunes for constipation and she loves that (weird kid lol). We were told by pediatrician that if they don't take to them right away try with breastmilk or formula whatever you're using and see if that helps

HoneyBear40 · January 2017

Fed S a small piece of avocado last night from my salad...I think I'm going to be the lone ranger for avocado in our house. Her face looked just like her Dad's when he tried it early on in our relationship

She's definitely a Wisconsin girl though. The piece of cheese following the avocado had no funny faces!

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