BLW at 5 months and one week

[SpongeCake23]

Before I get shot down and ripped to pieces, I know the guidelines state ‘around 6 months’. But I think my boy is ready. He sits unaided on the floor without holding on to anything or even putting his hands down for over 5 minutes, we sit him in his high chair and let him play with a spoon and his head control is very good in it. He constantly tries to grab what we are eating and put it into his mouth. He’s also got very accurate hand to mouth co-ordination. I want to do BLW, could I possibly start him now on some finger foods, just fruits and vegetables like avocado, pear, mango and banana and let him have a play/feel/taste? While we eat our meal.

[tappitytaptap]

I might get flamed too but I did this with my 2nd a couple of weeks ago at the same age. He was taking food from us and putting it in his mouth. We're giving him little bits twice a day now, veg and fruits, toast, pasta, hummus in a restaurant yesterday. He's 6 months next week and we're going to sit him in his highchair every meal time then and give him suitable bits of what we're having. He is chewing and swallowing bits, which my eldest hadn't quite grasped at this age, so I think he was ready. Lots of other countries have weaning guidelines of 4-6 months and I have several doctor friends who started before 6 months. In fact I don't think I know anyone in real life who didn't start at least slightly early, but on mumsnet not many people seem to admit this! I was actually all for waiting until 6 months with DS2 but he was so keen!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

My DD started at 23 weeks. By then I was sick of her swiping food then screaming when we took it from her.

She successfully swiped and scoffed a ham sandwich. Weaning dove

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

*Weaning done

[PaulHollywoodsSexGut]

Eeeeeeeee

Be careful.

DS was the same and we weaned at just over 5 months. It really screwed with his bowels and he was very chokey and that was on purées.

You could try - he sounds ready - but watch like a hawk and keep an eye for “nappy pebbles”. DS eventually took to it at 7 months, later than expected but the difference was like night and day.

[SpongeCake23]

Thanks for all your advice. Would you start on purées or finger foods at 5 months and one week old?

[SpongeCake23]

I was thinking of trying him with some pieces of avocado

[MummEE2]

Do you have any updates?? My DS is only just over 5 months and I am EBF him but after seeing a nurse for unrelated issue the nurse told me to start weaning him as he's ready! So I've been trying the past 3 or so days with some success. But would also like to know if I can give any finger foods. My DS loves to hold the spoon and put it to his mouth more than when I feed him so I think he might be good with BLW but I'm scared of him biting a big bit off and choking

[anangalou]

Mine are both teens and guidelines then were 16 weeks. In fact my youngest was before that as he was a big baby and constantly hungry.

[Hollowvictory]

Banana not recommended under 7 months and it's hard to digest and not a first food