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Weaning

BLW and Blindness

6 replies

LostinLocation · 20/01/2013 17:04

This might be a bit of a specialist subject or maybe no one has come across this before but any advice would be very much appreciated.

My 7 month old is severely visually impaired. She can see light sources a little but not much else. She's having lots of tests at the moment so we're hoping against hope that this is only a temporary condition.

My problem is that she is at the stage where we should really be introducing food but I'm really struggling with it and I suspect part of it is to do with the sight issue. She doesn't like anything at her face (I think because she can't see it coming and is disconcerted by it). This pretty much rules out purees on a spoon. She also is not a big fan of thick consistencies. She does like strong tastes though- she'll lick an orange or a kiwi.

I'd like to give Baby Led Weaning a try (not because of any strong preference for BLW but because I think it would give her more control). I've read a bit about it but was wondering has anyone else had a baby with sight problems- any tips for feeding?

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TheNewStatesman · 21/01/2013 02:42

I'm pretty sure that the BLW book says that BLW "as such" is not for babies who have significant disabilities. I'm sure you can incorporate some of the ideas into feeding her, though.

I think you will need to take maximum advantage of her other senses, like touch and smell. Like holding pieces/spoonfuls of food close to her and letting her smell them and guiding her fingers onto food to let her touch it and squish it about, etc.

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Gintonic · 22/01/2013 17:27

Does your baby pick things up and take them to her mouth? If so then I would take a guess that BLW might work for you. Maybe there is a charity that can advise you?

Sorry not very helpful but didn't want to leave your post unanswered!

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LostinLocation · 22/01/2013 18:03

Gintonic that's exactly my problem- because either she can't see things or she can't see other people putting things in their mouths she hardly ever does it herself.

I know it's not ideal with a disability but it feels wrong to keep shoving spoonfuls of stuff at her because she really hates it. I don't blame her- no one would like something unexpectedly delivered into their mouth.

Contacting a charity is actually not a bad idea. Thanks

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Seriouslysleepdeprived · 22/01/2013 18:05

No direct experience but I found this from the RNIB which looked useful. They are a brilliant charity with lots of great info. I've used them lots in the past.

Hope your DD gets on ok with it all Smile

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LittleChimneyDroppings · 22/01/2013 18:10

Could you try cutting up large chunks of food and putting it in her hands? And have a selection of different things on a plate for her to touch. BLW sounds ideal for child with a VI.

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mackerella · 08/03/2013 18:19

Hi LostinLocation, I realise this thread is pretty old now, but I'm bumping it in case you see it! I was in exactly the same position as you nearly 2 years ago, and posted on both the special needs and weaning threads about exactly this topic. I'm posting the links here in case they're still useful to you, although I realise things may have moved on in the last 6 weeks. Feel free to PM me if I can be of any help, though! Smile

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