Anyone just started, or about to start, BLW? Care to join me?

[Jojay]

DS2 is 27 weeks and from last week, is now joining us a mealtimes.

I tried spoonfeeding for a few days but he didn't seem keen, so I tried him with some roasted veg and he was well away. So BLW it is for us.

But I did purees for DS1 2 years ago, so BLW is new to me.

So far he's had roasted sweet potato, carrot, aubergine, courgette, sweet pepper, some lightly steamed apple and pear, banana, mango, and a chip.

When I say 'had' I mean I've offered it to him. Some probably went straight on the floor, but I've found some lumps in his nappy, so some is definitely going in.

The mango was the biggest hit - he loved it!

So tell me what you're doing and how it's going...........

[KirstyJC]

I actually hadn't heard of this until reading about it on a different thread yesterday, so I probably won't be doing it right but I am planning to give this a go! My DS1 was weaned at 4 months (advice at the time) on puree etc, which actually was fine but very messy and timeconsuming for me!

This time, DS2 is 26 weeks and I started weaning last week or so. I wanted to wait for 26 to be smug but he had other ideas - sat by the table, he was reaching for food, shouting and making chewing faces so I took the hint! .

He has had baby rice with breastmilk, and he loves mashed banana and stewed apples, sometimes with milk (if I have expressed milk left in the fridge) but I have left some lumps.

He has tried a piece of banana, sucked it a lot but didn't bite much although I think he was very hungry so possibly it was the wrong time to try finger foods. Also he nejoyed a cooked carrot stick, but again didn't bite it. I broke 2 tiny bits off and gave him that - he did gag a bit but they disappeared only to reappear in the nappy the following day.

I am planning to try sweet potato in the next day or so.

Does youur DS gag when he tries finger food? Mine always has, which is why I also give mashed / some runny stuff (porridge, baby rice etc). Do you think I'm doing it too soon - he definitely wants more than breastmilk, but I'm wondering if I shuold just give him finger food exclusively?

[KirstyJC]

Tonight, I will be trying him with a bit of homemade burger (beef and onion mix) with a chip. Best to get those healthy eating habits started early!!

Fingers crossed!!

[Jojay]

Hi Kirsty. I'm no expert on this BLW lark, but yes, my Ds does gag a lot on lumps at the moment, not in a scary way though, IYSWIM. I think it's perfectly normal at this stage as they get used to the feel of something in their mouths.

Sorry, DS2 yelling, will post again later. Hope the burgers go well

[Jojay]

Back again. As to giving porridge etc, I guess it depends on how much of a purist you wnat to be about the BLW thing. If you are truly BLW then you wouldn't spoon feed at all, but I'm sure lots of people out there whole spoon feed maybe one meal a day then give ifnger food the rest of the time, or basically do a bit of both, and I don't see anything wrong with that if you feel happier that way.

I'm not spoon feeding DS2 because he just spits it out again, whereas he does seem to eat a bit when he's doing it himself, so we'll stick with it for now.

He had some roasted veggies for his tea, followed by mango. I think he was getting a bit tired as he seemed to get frustrated easily, but he devoured the mango as usual!

How did the burger go?

[KirstyJC]

Hi Jojay, Hmm....things didn't go too well with dinner tonight! He was in a real grump and licked the burger and threw it away, then only sucked a chip for a bit. He did swallow the small bit I broke off (with gagging) and then got so angry he wouldn't stop screaming . He virtually never cries, so not sure what was going on, except he hasn't slept much today so reckon that must be it. Had a load of mummy milk instead and has now finally (2 hours later) dropped off....not sure how long for though .

He is a bit out of sorts, so will try again tomorrow

Like the idea of mango though, will pick one up next time near a supermarket. How did you get on tonight with your DS?

[KirstyJC]

Hey there, think we both posted at the same time then! Glad you had some progress tonight!!

I thought BLW would be a bit 'stricter' than I am, but I am happy to continue with some spoon feeding as well (I have porridge for breakfast, so why not give it to him as well ?

[Jojay]

x post! Sorry it didn't go so well tonight. I think that's just the way it goes sometimes, esp when they're tired.
I bought this book the other day and it was really useful to help get my head around the whole BLW / gagging thing. Maybe worth a look

[KirstyJC]

Cool - thanks Jojay, looks interesting!

Just need a way to buy it without hubbie realising I'm buying yet more stuff on t'internet again....(stupid joint account)

[Jojay]

They sell it in Mothercare too, but for £10.99 I think. You could pay cash

[KirstyJC]

Hi Jojay

Have you been to babyledweaning.blogware.com/blog?

Not sure how good it is, just found it yesterday very late in evening when head couldn't get around what it was saying .

DH saw I was looking at Amazon, so will have to wait until he's back at work to buy the book although the blog above may be all I need?

[KirstyJC]

Cash?!!? What's that? Don't think the bank will let me have any of that .

PS loving the emoticons today, sorry about that! . This is all quite new to me so the novelty hasn't worn off yet!

[Jojay]

No, hadn't seen that one. I'll have a look - thanks.

Have you seen this one?

[Jojay]

This looks interesting too

[KirstyJC]

Thanks - will have a look.

[CantSleepWontSleep]

The first 2 sites you've linked are both Aitch's!

My 29wk ds is blw. He's taken to it very well, and gets offered whatever we're having, inc chilli with rice and stir fry so far.

Blueberries are the current big hit, and he'll eat a whole banana in minutes!

[AitchTwoOh]

please don't break off bits and post them into the baby's mouth though, kirsty, it's a bona fide choking risk i'm afraid. best to let him stick it in his mouth instead, and don't bother if he doesn't eat any, it's really just for exploration at this stage so a bit of licking is fine.

[Jojay]

Yep, I thought they looked similar

[KirstyJC]

Hi Aitch - It's OK, once I finished reading your site I realised that's a no-no! . He still appears to be breathing though so I think I got away with it that time .

It's gone much better this morning, I had just breastfed him anyway and he sat at the table with us and squidged his way through a toast soldier! Not sure much of it went down, but that's OK - he loved playing with it and gumming on it, and it was lovely to see him have the same as the rest of us (although I left off the marmalade for him).

Looking forward to dinner tonight - sausage and mash. Have a feeling it might get messy !

[Jojay]

Hi Kirsty - glad he did so well at breakfast. It's lovely to have them sitting up with everyone isn't it? DS2 doesn't seem that into breakfast, but is still well away at tea time.

I might try a bit of lunch today too, if he's awake. He had a few chips in a pub yesterday and thought that was ace. Not sure the landlord was so convinced though, as we left a fair scattering under the chair....!

Off to peer in the freezer and look for inspiration for supper. Bangers and mash sounds good

[Jojay]

WEll we did our first lunch. He had a bit of cucumber and some cheese on toast - looked very pleased with himself

Then this afternoon I got the munchies and had a banana and he swiped a load of me nad munged on that too. So it's going well.

Bangers and mash (your fault!), broccoli and green beans for supper. Wish us luck!

[KirstyJC]

Hi Jojay - sounds like you all had a good day! He has been poorly this afternoon/evening, temp of over 39 so have just been breastfeeding and Calpol, poor little bunny . He did lick mashed potato but wasn't really interested, tbh.

At lunchtime I gave him some baby porridge in a bowl, handed him the spoon (loaded it for him) and sat back...he managed to get a couple of mouthfuls in! It is his favourite though .

Hope your bangers and mash went well!

[BelleWatling]

Hello, may I join this thread? I am starting BLW next week (26w) and am the only person I know doing it. Every other mum I know is a wizz with the magimix and an Annabel Karmel groupie.

I have ordered his highchair, done my first aid course (choking paranoia ) and sterilised his new doidy cup.

waiting

I'm thinking about starting with a banana.

He inadvertently had something yesterday after pulling the tablemat (smeared with my curry sauce - I'm such a ladylike eater) off the table at Wagamama and giving it a good chew.

[KirstyJC]

Hi there Belle. I have done some of the puree thing, since only heard of BLW a couple of days ago! Still, better late than never.

It is really sweet watching him try proper food though, you will love it I'm sure! Do you have a boy or girl? Bottle or boob? Keep us updated!

I think banana would be great - my son loves it, had it mashed/lumpy mostly, tried bit piece but just licked it. I think most babies love banana - although have today bought a mango to try - see Jojay's post above.

[AitchTwoOh]

belle, it's not paranoid to be concerned about choking, it's very sensible. it doesn't happen often and it certainly doesn't happen just because you're weaning (kids can pick up anything, anywhere) so it's absolutely best to be prepared and confident.

[Chulita]

Hello! Can I join too please? DD is 23wks so not going for full BLW just yet but she's very good at grabbing the other half of my bagel/toast when I'm having breakfast so she's had a taste already. I must confess to giving her porridge/mashed fruit&veg some evenings cos she enjoys it and she does put the spoon in her mouth herself, I just help get something on the spoon for her to wipe all over her face Funny how everyone says mango...I know a few people who are allergic to the sap you get on mango skin...bit wary about letting dd have a wipedown with it...
belle let me know how it goes with the Doidy cup - I've resisted buying one at the chemist's for weeks but I'd love to know if your LO manages