BLW-ers...what do I need?

[sparklekitty]

My DD is 5mo. We would like to do blw once she hits 6mo but want to start getting my head around it/picking up things we need.

We've got a high chair which she sits in while we have dinner. I figure we'll need some little tupperware pots and a lunch box type thing for when we're out and about.

Anything else or any tips?

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

The best things I bought were a wipe clean tablecloth for the floor and a wipe clean placement, both from poundland. There isn't a suction bowl in the world that stays put so food is served on the placement. Coverall bibs good too.I've recently discovered how easy it is to get veg into Ds with savoury muffins so a muffin tin is now one of my must haves :)

[Machadaynu]

We got a cheap shower curtain from Asda, cut it in half and used them as mats to put under the chair. Food was served on plates and bowls and eaten off the high-chair tray.

We just gave the kid bits of our food when we were out and about - didn't bother with tupperwares.

[JustCallMeFish]

Little Tupperware boxes put switch decent clip on lids.
An easy to hold water/juice cup.
Wet wipes.
We didn't use a plate or a bowl at first. We just dettol-ed the high chair table.
Soft rubber spoons. Tommee tippee do good ones.
And I'd only bother with a floor covering if you've got carpet.
A bib with the collectible tray on is great, but prob not until about ten months or so when they eat quite a bit.but big bibs are great.

Also, about 7-8 months, dry cereals like Cheerios and shreddies are a handy snack when out and about.

Be prepared for mess and relax about the whole thing. It's a new exciting experience for your lo and don't worry if you think she's not eating much, it's all about experimenting at that age and getting used to different tastes and textures, not about feeding her iykwim. She'll still get almost all her nutrients from milk.

[sparklekitty]

Great, will add shower curtain and full bib to the list. Any suggestions on where to get little tupperware containers?

[JustCallMeFish]

Supermarket ones are fine. Just need the proper clips on all sides. Not a pull the lid off type.

Also, (more so in the summer) pop an ice cube in the tub if you're carrying fruit in it. Keeps it cool and fresh and juicy. Or buy some of the handy sized re free able pouches to put in lunch boxes. Good for our an about.

[Flisspaps]

Sleeved bibs from Poundland. I bought some for DD and am now using them for DS.

I've never needed little Tupperware pots or a lunchbox though, I suppose I associate them with purée or spoon feeding. If we were out then I bought and shared a sandwich, pasta pot or fruit.

[noblegiraffe]

I never used Tupperware either, I suppose it depends on how organised you are. For snacks out and about I just had a bag of rice cakes (keep them fresh by rolling the top closed and clipping on a clothes peg) and a banana. Otherwise he would have a bit of whatever I ate.

Make sure you get a sippy cup that doesn't leak so you can take it out with you.

[sparklekitty]

I was originally thinking that she'd eat whatever one of us was when out and about but how do you manage salt guidelines etc when you eat pre-packed sarnies etc?

We've got a free flow tippy cup but will be getting one of those with a valve. Any recommendations?

[Flisspaps]

I've never looked at the content if anything - salt, fat, sugar - overall we eat a healthy diet, lots of fruit and veg and most of it is home made.

In the scheme of things, it all balances out. The odd sandwich or whatever won't matter (IMO) besides, most of it gets worn rather than eaten!

[mummybare]

This bowl is pretty good at staying put.
These bibs are the best I've found, although quite pricey, but they are hard wearing and have saved quite a few outfits!
A sippy cup for water.
Wipe-clean walls I'm half joking...

Enjoy it, OP - it's messy, but so much fun!

[sparklekitty]

Thanks for the tips. Flisspaps, I guess you're right, all balances out in the end. Feel like I've only just got my head around having a baby and breastfeeding etc. Didn't even cross my mind that I'd have to think about weaning, I'm totally clueless :)

I am looking forward to it, I'm a ks1 teacher so fortunately I'm not adverse to horrendous mess :)

[mummybare]

I just use the Tommy Tippee free flow cups - they're pretty cheap and do the job. DD at 9mo can now use them herself if they're quite full. I was recommended free flow by the HV as it helps the them get used to drinking rather than sucking or something... Not sure exactly, but they seem to work!

The great thing about BLW is there's not really much to know - you just give them food! - but perhaps a quick read of Gill Rapley's book might give you confidence if you're unsure? Or perhaps the BLW cookbook - I haven't read it, but it apparently gives all the same info but with recipes too.

The main no-nos are whole nuts (nut butters/oils etc. fine), whole grapes (halved or quartered fine), honey and, of course, too much sugar and salt. Oh and I cook egg yolks through - is that a rule knowledgable peeps, or just me being paranoid??

But hey, I caught DD eating soil out of a plant pot yesterday, so the best laid plans and all that...

[JustCallMeFish]

Mummy-if the eggs you buy have the lion stamp on them then runny egg is fine.

[mummybare]

Ahh, thanks Just! Suspected that might be the case, but good to know.

[sparklekitty]

I've just ordered the blw cookbook (I am clueless when it comes to cooking!) So hopefully thatll give me some meal ideas.

Interestingly I was at a breastfeeding coffee thing yesterday and one of the breastfeeding councellers mentioned that she thought DD looked ready (after she'd tried nicking mine and my mums biscuits!) She said she's meeting the 3 signs, sitting up with good head control, good hand to mouth control (everything goes in) and being very interested/reaching out for food. I looked at the NHS website and she meets 2 of the signs, the 3rd being not pushing food out of her mouth which I don't know about as we've not given her anything.

Part of me thinks I'd like to try but part of me thinks to wait till 6 months, really not sure.

DD has a free flow tippie cup which she has water from (she has gaviscon for reflux and needs water to stop her getting bunged up) which se is getting good at using.

Postie has just arrived with blw cookbook :)

[SamraLee]

My HV said that you need a free flow cup as one with a valve damages their teeth as they have to bite done to suck a drink.

I honestly just plunk my daughter on the floor and then put her straight in the bath when she's done. It's easier for me, but I understand not realistic for others as they go out and about more than me.

She really loves purees so I give her the food I eat for dinner and then she gets yogurt sweetened with fruit puree for dessert. So I load up spoons and she feeds herself, so you may want to get some spoons depending on your stance regarding BLW.

Have fun :)!

[mummybare]

Well we weaned DD at 5mo. Llke your DD, she showed all the signs of being ready and she loved eating from the word go. I don't think it did any harm, and she eats very well now, but perhaps she would have anyway, there's no way of knowing. It's possible we just gave ourselves an extra month of mess for no good reason.

If you do go ahead before she is 6mo there are a lot more rules about what they can and cannot have. We pretty much just gave veg and fruit until we went on holiday just before she turned 6mo when we started relaxing about other foods. Personally, if it keeps them happy while you eat, I don't see the harm in giving them a bit of steamed veg to throw at the wall and mash into their hair explore, if they are developmentally ready. But then, there's no harm in waiting either and then you can give them pretty much anything... Your call, I guess! :)