Just started BLW, bit of advice needed please.

[Dirtydiana]

Hi, my DS is 6.5m, started with purees at 6m but have decided would like to do BLW. Yesterday I gave him bits of cheese and toast fingers for lunch, which he managed fine.
I was wondering what other people have done re timing milk feeds and solids. Shall I feed him a meal about an hour after his milk or give him some milk and then some solids at the same time?

Also is it worth buying a book on BLW or is there enough info on the net?

I feel confused about what I'm supposed to be doing for some reason, baby brain! With my first I followed Annabel Karmel, but having heard about it, BLW makes more sense and frankly haven't the time or energy at the moment to do the whole puree making and freezing thing!

Need recipe ideas that we can all eat as a family as well, most of the meals we have wouldn't be suitable for a 6m old.

Any tips would be great, thanks!

[Flisspaps]

//www.babyledweaning.com has all the info I needed.

There's a good book by Gill Rapley (called Baby Led Weaning!) but I got it out of the library.

WRT milk feeds, DD had no milk on waking, breakfast at about 8.30am, milk at 10am, lunch at 12.00pm, milk at 3pm, tea at 5pm and a bottle at 7pm (and then more through the night, but that's not relevant here)

What are you eating that isn't suitable for a 6mo? There's very little they can't eat or that can't be slightly modified for a 6mo - one of DDs favourites from about 7mo was curry!

[Dirtydiana]

Hi Flisspaps, Yes, I was thinking curries! Thought they would be too spicy with strong flavours, but I suppose you can tone them down. I just need to be organised and do a meal plan. Plus the standard of evening meals has become more of the quick, easy and unhealthy variety in this house of late!

[Albrecht]

The BLW book has loads of stuff in it that will answer your questions re milk feeds etc - Offer milk before meals as they don't know food is to fill them up yet, its starts off just about texture and flavour. If they are too hungry they might just get frustrated.

There is also a BLW cookbook that has lots of family recipes. ALthough browsing through it would probably be enough to get the idea if you can already cook most basic things.

[smoggii]

I wouldn't recommend the main book for you, i'm still stunned that they managed to fill all the pages, there is a LOT of repetition and i didn't learn anything I didn't already know from the website. But if you have other caregivers (Gran/ childminder) the book may be useful to give to them - i've given it to my mum because i know she wont read the website and it's a new concept to her.

I haven't started BLW yet, DD not even 5 mths yet but lurking these boards in preparation.

[Flisspaps]

smoggii That's why I got it out of the library!

Dirtydiana This is the perfect opportunity for you all to eat more healthily then :) Certainly my diet has improved since DD started eating, although I've lost no weight as I munch all her leftovers!

With stuff like curry or chilli, make it up without the chilli but all the other herbs and spices in, then take out a portion for DS and add the chilli to the pot for the rest of you.

[cfc]

Or perhaps add some yoghurt to tone down the heat? To a curry, I mean.

[Again]

We've started today, having used the method over three years ago with DS. To be honest we've always kept it simple. Milk is the main food for a long long time yet. It's just about getting them used to feeling and 'chewing'. We started with broccoli. You can cut grooves into veg like carrots so that he can pick it up. Remember just to put in down in front of him and let him do his own thing rather than handing it to him.

[confuddledDOTcom]

If curry is what you normally eat then your son will be used to the taste first through the amniotic fluid and then from your milk (if you breastfeed) so I wouldn't worry too much. Our eldest has always been mad on curry, we used to mix it with rice until it was moldable and then she could just scoop it up.

I don't think the book or DVD are essential, I think the main reason she brought them out is people seem to need to read/ watch/ buy something to justify what they do.

[WorrisomeHeart]

I foudn the BLW cookbook very helpful - it has enough of the theory etc at the start and then some great recipes.

[Dirtydiana]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I have reserved the book from the library. He looks really pleased with himself after eating something BLW style!