to feed my baby chips and fishfingers?

[sausagessausages]

I'm doing baby-led weaning with my 8 month old and we're going out for a pub lunch next week.

People always seem to use chips as an example of awful food to feed babies but he loves potatoes, they are easy to handle and obviously I wouldn't use salt. Apart from that its just the fat content, which I didn't think was a particular issue for babies. Is there something I'm missing that is really bad?

The fish finger thing is slightly different as they would be (maybe) a more regular event. As I see it the good quality ones are fish (good) with a bit of breadcrumb (fine), but it feels wrong for some reason I can't put my finger on.

I'm now bracing myself for lots of comments about how stupid blw-ers are!

[Lilacroses]

Sounds fine and delicious to me! Go ahead.....I'm not sure exactly what the rules are in blw as I had my DD before it came about (well it was probably done but not called that) but I wouldn't over think it.

[bundaberg]

i think fish fingers and chips are fine in moderation.

at that age I wouldn't be ordering a baby its own meal though, i'd just give it bits of mine/dp's dinner to munch on

[GinGinGin]

Absolutely fine to me! Maybe include some peas too?

[Joysmum]

I tried to stick to healthy foods and introduce as many flavours for as long as I could because I thought that what I fed her at a young age would influence her tastes as she got older.

Let's just say it has to a certain extent but not as much as I'd hoped.

[Katienana]

I think an 8mo would struggle with the batter. I would just take my own food.

[bundaberg]

it prob won't have batter.... but even if it did i can't imagine it would be an issue? ds2 used to love veggie tempura from when he weaned at 6 months!

[passedgo]

The danger with chips is that an 8 month old could choke on it, fish would be much the same, particularly the breadcrumbs if they are crispy. So as long as it's soft and baby seems safe with it it's ok nutrition wise.

Rusks and ricecakes are different because babies can't break bits off, they tend to dissolve in the mouth. Chips don't dissolve in the mouth without chewing so until your baby has their chewing and swallowing faculties in order you need to be careful.

[LimeLeaafLizard]

Can you take a bit of fruit or cheese or something with you and just let him have one or two chips? I don't think there is anything wrong with fishfingers and chips once in a while but not sure I'd want my 9 month old to have them very often.

[sausagessausages]

thanks everyone!

I've tried peas Gin but the lack of pincer grip makes me feel a bit mean :-(

I am going for variety too Joy, he has had pretty much every vegetable under the sun and hasn't turned anything down yet! I'm a bit sad to think he might still end up a fussy toddler then.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I don't think it's worth buying a meal for an 8 month old but I guess it's easier than restricting what you order.

It's worth bearing in mind though that likely hood is they won't be the good quality ones , more like cheap catering pack ones and might have a bigger salt content.

Won't hurt as a one off

[sausagessausages]

Thanks passedgo but the philosophy behind blw is that, actually, the don't choke! He eats baked potatoes, apples, carrots for example with no problems.

I think the consensus is what I originally though then, everything in moderation. thanks again.

[sausagessausages]

sorry, just to clarify, it is chips at the pub (a few off my plate) and fish fingers at home (where I can check the salt)

[passedgo]

Joy when a child reaches two their olfactory system kicks in and they learn how to identify foods that are safe and foods that are poisonous. That's why they have a setback then, evolution has taught them that every new food could be a potential health hazard, so they have to gently relearn and experience which foods are OK to eat and which foods aren't. It is also linked in to toileting and learning about 'clean' and 'dirty'. Which is why teaching them to use a spoon or fork is really important.

[AscoyneDAscoyne]

I would and have as a one off. We blw and my 7 month old dd has had a couple of chips with no salt when we were out and about. If you are not sure about the batter on the fish fingers then just pick it off and give her the fish

[AscoyneDAscoyne]

Give him the fish, sorry

[Strumpetron]

I'm sure he'll enjoy them, everything in moderation and all that!

[Sammie101]

I just had the weaning talk with my HV and she said chips were ok to give babies because they need the higher fat content, so I'm assuming it would be fine

[zatyaballerina]

Occasionally most things are fine in tiny portions, including fishfingers and chips. It is preferable to order a side plate of veg and let him eat that if he's actually hungry for a meal but let him taste everything within reason.

I'd be careful of more than a taste of processed foods because they can be harsh on some babies stomachs.

[gnushoes]

Eldest DD first fed herself on a chunky pub chip and gummed it to death. Perfect fist food. Guidelines were different then and she was 5 mo. I don't see the problem as part of a varied diet.

[Vicki1972]

I would be wary of chips from places like mcdonalds because of the salt content but pub chips should be ok. I don't think they add salt as a matter of course.

[Vicki1972]

Actually, probably worth checking the salt content of fishfingers as well. Isn't that one of the main reasons to avoid too many processed foods.

[Mylovelyboy]

I think its fine. As you say. Nice and easy for baby to hold. I don't consider chips any different from roast potatoes to be honest. Same thing, different shape and no one moans about them.

[BrianButterfield]

I remember about that age taking DS out to lunch with a group of mums and babies who discussed Annabel sodding Karmel and spent ages spooning Ella's Kitchen pouches into mouths - I mean, out of twelve people I was the only one not with a pouch in hand! I got some looks when I let DS chow down on (unsalted, homemade) chips and bits of meat and bread from my steak baguette, but I couldn't, and can't, see anything wrong with it. He had loads of teeth and never choked.

[IfAtFirstUDontSucceed]

We were given a weaning session in our area and discussed BLW. Two foods that they mentioned were great for baby's little hands were fish fingers (they suggested removing the coating however) and chunky chips! The fatter the chip the less oil they will absorb. If you were being extra cautious you could even remove the crispy outside from the chip too!