Stupid BLW question

[lobsters]

I'm going to be starting weaning in a few weeks. I like the idea of BLW, I've got the Gill Rapely book to read, but I wa just wondering if someone could explain to me what the difference is (if any) between BLW and finger foods?

Thanks

[CMOTdibbler]

BLW = normal food eaten without cutlery necessarily

Finger food = food crafted specifically to be eaten with the fingers only

[TheBreastmilksOnMe]

They are exacly the same thing! It's just been given a new name!

[FaintlyMacabre]

I agree with CMOTdibbler. I loathe the term 'finger foods'. Sounds like the babies are at a buffet eating canapes. (Almost) all food can be eaten with hands, a lot of cultures don't use cutlery at all.

IMO, BLW is about the whole 'ethos' of independent self-feeding, which is not the same as distracting the baby with a rice cake while you get on with spooning in the 'real' food. (Sorry, this is a gross generalisation about puree weaners).

Gosh, didn't realise I felt so strongly about this!

[Jojay]

Once you've read the Gill Rapley book you'll understand

[ruddynorah]

some babies start with puree then they're introduced to finger foods. some babies have finger foods alongside purees. some babies start on finger foods and never have purees.

blw was so called by gill rapley. blw is about waiting to wean until the baby can feed themself. hence it is baby led. it isn't led by them waking in the night more or seeming hungry iyswim. blw doesn't usually talk about finger foods as such cos it's all just food. 'finger foods' are usually specially cut to fit the baby's hand, or are especially not messy etc.

[jocar2007]

This might be a daft question, but my DD is 6 months and showing no interest in food at all - although she does seem hungrier than usual. She's waking up at night (about twice a night) where previously she was sleeping through and I'm feeding her almost every hour and even then, she doesn't seem satisfied. She's crying much more than usual too and chewing her hands. I have tried waving food in front of her, but it's just about the only thing she doesn't grab and put in her mouth. I gave her a piece of apple today and she gnawed at it, managed to get a piece off, gagged and I fished it out as I was very alarmed that she was choking on it.

Anyway, my question is, if I wait until she is ready to eat - aren't her iron supplies insufficient after 6 months and need topping up?

I'm quite keen on the idea of blw, but I worry that she won't get the nutrients she needs. She's usually not even very good at BF unless I shove myself at her and insist.

[irishmammy123]

There is iron in breastmilk. The most easily absorbed kind. Around six months babies start needing (a little) more iron.
This explains it better. She'll get almost all of the nutrients she needs from BM for some time to come.
Around 6months there is a growth spurt, which may be why she is feeding more. But it sounds more like teething, and she's feeding for comfort (or a combination of both).

[Pingpong]

jocar2007 apple can be quite gaggy, try some soft finger/chip shaped vegetables (sweet potato/carrot/squash)or soft fruit like melon, mango, nectarine.
Sounds like your LO is getting the idea of bringing food up to her mouth though.

[tisa]

I'm not sure that I understand blw. I fed both my children with purees and then finger food. Do you just give your baby normal food and let them get on with it?

[Pingpong]

You generally don't start with spaghetti bolognese at 6 months.
I started offering soft cooked veg and soft fruit, then ricecakes and cream cheese and bits and pieces that were easy to hold.
You just miss out the puree stage and go straight on to real food. You still need to watch out for salt etc.

[tisa]

That means that the person I saw in the Marks and Spencer cafe on Tuesday who put a sandwich down in front of a baby who can't have been older than 7 months wasn't doing it right then. The poor baby was sucking away at the bread.

[Pingpong]

I don't think they were doing it wrong but somethings are easier for them to handle than others. Soft bread is often a bit gloopy when they suck on it. My DD preferred toast or crusty bread to start with. Bread sticks with houmous or cream cheese. Rice cakes that sort of thing. (as well as fruit and veg) The main thing to understand is that 'up until one food is for fun' and that milk is still the main source of food and nutrition. You don't (and neither do I know the circumstances) she may well have just given the 7 month old a milk feed and just wanted to give her baby something to keep her occupied while she grabbed a quick lunch herself. Once you start BLW it becomes difficult to eat without offering your LO something as well. I would often chose a large baguette when out and about and tear off a bit for DD and pick out some tomato, cucumber bits etc for her. Happy Mummy and happy baby