Surely he shouldn't be able to do this!

[Wrigglebum]

Ds2 is nearly 23 weeks and a few weeks ago I started sitting him at the table when we are eating- he sits really nicely and upright in his chair (Ikea Antilop). Was giving him a spoon to play with and then a week or so ago started giving him some fruit or veg to play with occasionally. We're planning on trying blw this time so I thought it would be good for him to get used to handling it.

Well, turns out that he can pick it up, put it in his mouth, chew and swallow rather successfully! There are quite a few bits coming out in the nappy so he's certainly eating it! He's managed carrot, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, avocado and pear very well. I'm leaving anything other than fruit and veg until 26 weeks. If we're having something he can try he gets some, otherwise a spoon or toy to chew.

Has anyone else had a baby self feeding this early on? I know six months is ideal but i didn't think he'd manage to eat it! I obviously make sure he is upright and watch him like a hawk! With ds1 we did the traditional purée route, which really helped his reflux, but he struggled when we hit the lumpy stage.

[SecretNutellaFix]

He is sitting up, he is grabbing the food and he is chewing it. He's ready.

[Wrigglebum]

I know that's the theory but I'm still a bit nervous of going beyond the fruit and veg until 26 weeks! Maybe try some crusts or something in next week. I was absolutely gobsmacked when he managed to pick up slippery avocado from the tray and take a huge bite, with not much coming back out again. And he's so cute sucking pear off the skin, he's very determined!

Ds1 could sit up without any support from before six months so maybe mine are ready early. He could also self feed as soon as he was given finger food but preferred to have it spooned in- and still will if given the chance at 3 (so you can see why blw is appealing ).

[minicc]

Dd was lunging at food in your hand whilst perched on your lap fairly early. We held off weaning properly till 26 weeks and just let her join in. Just go with the flow, keep offering things to play with and be led by him!

[EagleRiderDirk]

We started weaning dd at 17 weeks. She was very ready. But like you I didn't want to introduce anything other than fruit/veg/Fromage frais until 6 months. And even then we went slowly. Dd is a great little eater. Her diet is far better than mine, thankfully

[SamSmalaidh]

If they can feed themselves then they are ready - it's not like you are spoonfeeding them and bypassing their natural abilities iyswim? DS fed himself from 23 weeks but I stuck to fruit, veg and rice - I would still wait til 6 months to introduce dairy, gluten (wheat), meat and nut (butters).

[PotteringAlong]

We started BLW at 24 weeks when I looked away for a few seconds, looked back and realized DS had swiped and eaten half of my toast :o

[halloweeneyqueeney]

mine was 4 months and he could spoon feed himself on first try! we were

[EntWife]

halloweenqueeney, my 18week old DD is doing the same. We were equally stunned.

[beyoglu]

Mine are 21 weeks corrected (twins - were a bit early) and they can feed themselves. Not very well, but I give them bits of stuff to eat and then I see it in the nappy the next day. DT1 also spoon feeds herself in the sense that she grabs the loaded spoon off me and licks it herself... very funny.

I think it's all fine if they're nearly 6 months...