Need some guidance with BLW

[murderedbystress]

We have 'the book' but wouldn't mind some guidance with those who are more experienced than me.

DD is 23 weeks old. We started 2 days ago with BLW because she was showing all the signs (she actually snatched a milkway crispy roll from my hand and swiped her hand in my gravy last week too!)

So far, she has had: toast, sweet potato, broccoli, mangetout, carrot, strawberry, rusk and cream.

We haven't started by giving her food EVERY time we eat - mainly just at teatime and when I have had a slice of toast, she has had a finger of toast too.

She is sucking and gnawing; no chewing or eating as such but there are little bits going in.

I understand about the 'no sugar, salt, honey and nuts' thing but we want to go down the route of nothing is banned but give 'everything' in moderation.

I need some guidance about how much, how often since we are in the very early stages.

1. Do I start giving breakfast now?
   
2. We're having a roast dinner tonight - should I plonk everything we're having on her tray and allow her to go from there or is that too much?
   

I would also appreciate some good picnic foods as we're going on a daytrip on Saturday. Are pitta breads and houmous a good choice?

Believe it or not, I have a DS who was sort of weaned this way but still spoonfed and we had some packet/pouch foods. I am trying to steer clear and aim on buying a food flask. A friend has one and it seems pretty good!

[cantmakecarrotcake]

I would say go for it and offer food whenever you're eating - give him all the roast dinner in easy sizes shapes. But be led by your baby. See what he can manage and go from there.

Scotch pancakes are a good breakfast food - easy to make, freeze and toast.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

How are you getting on? Did lo have the roast dinner and the picnic?

[blackkat1978]

I also believe in everything in moderation. As you said you know about the things to avoid (although with nuts it's only whole nuts you need to avoid they can have peanut butter & such from 6 months).

With both of mine I offered the same food as we were having from day 1 of BLW. A lot of the early days are more about exploring & gaining new skills & so I figured the more opportunities I gave them the easier the transition would be. My son had a roast dinner for his 1st meal & had a piece of everything. For picnics we do fingers of sandwiches, cucumber, bell peppers, pieces of cheese, pieces of fruit like melon, pear, banana. Although it depends on what you eat on a picnic too. Have fun!

At the end of the day there's no 1 way to do BLW so if you want to ease slowly into it then do that, however it works for you & your family.