To really not understand baby led weaning?

[Leavetowean]

I’ve been trying it with my baby (with some trepidation) but I really can’t understand at all how they are meant to not choke.

She just gagged and vomited on some food because she obviously took it straight to the back of her throat as she hasn’t got any teeth to chew it.

I feel like it’s a massive step back for us. I’m really not enjoying the weaning journey one bit, I find it so stressful (and no she isn’t picking up on my stress) but AIBU to think the whole let them eat what you eat just doesn’t work for some babies? What am I missing?

I really recommend checking out Solid Starts (especially their guide on gagging vs. choking) - it really helped me when I was anxious about weaning.

What is it you're actually feeding her? I did it (successfully) - but it isn't quite as simple as they eat what you eat

I know - I’ve seen all that, but she still vomited, and not only does that mean she’s a feed down which she’ll doubtless want to make up for overnight, it’s not exactly a pleasant experience for anyone.

I’ve tried her with porridge and some fruit and veg, a bit of pasta.

Your not missing anything. I fed mine a combination of puree and finger foods. They mostly liked the puree for the first month then changed to everything. In my mind that was baby led weaning because they chose the puree. Just do what works for you.

The food ideally should be too big to choke on, chewable texture, gagging is fine as it’s teaching their bodies to recognise obstructions. But food like bits of dry cereal, fingers of toast, chopped up omelette, fingers of banana, avocado etc are chewable with gums and shouldn’t cause choking. You can also give porridge, yoghurt (with or without spoon, whatever is your preference)

Edited to add, When I started weaning I took an infant and child first aid course. Would highly recommend this to every parent.

Another vote for solid starts. It is stressful though and weaning is tedious. DD didn't start consistently eating meaningful amounts until about 12 months. I did a mixture of BLW and purees.

It's a parenting fad. We did purees. Both kids turned out great. One is 4 and eats pretty much anything, even things he doesn't like. One is 2 and still fussy but getting there. No issues with chewing/jaw/other nonsense that gets trotted out on BLW threads by people who forget they have none of these issues despite being weaned on purees.
Do what works for you and don't listen to people pushing a certain parenting style on you.

I thought it was worth a try as she just spits purées out, so I don’t really know what to do next. I’m tempted just to leave it for a while but she seems enthusiastic enough about going for the actual food, it just never seems to go down her throat.

How old is she?

She’s 7 months on the 18th feb.

Did she really vomit a whole feed? That’s not something I’ve seen before from blw gagging. Maybe her gag reflex is particularly sensitive. How old is she?
for my ds and his friend any gagging was just a reminder to them to move the food further forward in their mouth and chew more. Has she no teeth at all? My ds had teeth coming in by the time we started weaning.

Babies aren’t homogenous . My two were very quick to pick up eating, they were naturally inquisitive with food and a joy to feed tbh. My nephews were rubbish and barely ate until they were over a year. There is absolutely zero difference in their health and eating habits now.
if you and she aren’t happy just go old school and offer traditional baby food like purées for now . It’ll make no difference later. Baby led weaning is just a way of getting babies to eat like us for the convenience of the parent and reduce fussiness later. It’s really not that big of a deal though.

It's not for everyone and it sounds like it's not working for you guys.

I did a mix of puree and finger food so it doesn't need to be one or the other

My babe is 8 months and today she had...

Baby cereal made with breast milk and pear puree from a packet mixed in (horror) - about 2 tablespoons

2 tablespoons of Mediterranean veg puree and a teeny tiny banana oat pancake into 2

A tablespoon of veg puree and a stalk of boiled brocolli until squishable

And that's it. Alot of it was smeared around - not sure how much went in.

Somedays she eats a little more - some days not at all. I'm just going with the flow but giving her a puree and something more solid at every meal

This.

Fads come and go. Don't let others who were probably weened on puree themselves yell you want to do. Do what works for you.

Good luck.

Choking and gagging are not the same. I could choke on the toast I'm eating right now but because it's not round, smooth and the size of my windpipe, it's likely to be easily dislodged with a cough or pat on the back- it's highly unlikely to obstruct the airway. This is why you quarter grapes etc lengthways.

Gagging is a reflex and them learning to manage food in their mouth. Your baby managed to drink milk without issue, so swallowing food isn't much more of a stretch.

BLW isn't any more of a choking risk than tradional weaning if food is prepared correctly. I recommend doing a paediatric first aid course or watch the St John's Ambulance video on YouTube about gagging vs choking.

It took me a while to get my head around it, but once you do you won't look back!

No, I know some will be more interested than others. That’s partly why I’m tempted to just leave it for a couple of months. It’s so hard timing trying food when she isn’t hungry or full or tired or whatever.

I don’t know if she vomited a whole feed but there was a lot that came out. Either way I have enough problems getting her to take milk in the day!

She hasn’t got any teeth yet so maybe wait u til she has some? Not sure.

They can use their gums to chew, not having teeth yet doesn't matter.

Gagging and vomiting isn't choking, she's learning and will get better.

Gums are really hard and strong and enough to chew up soft food

BLW isn't a fad. Used it with both of mine successfully. But, it also isn't compulsory! So if you don't like it and don't feel confident then do traditional weaning if you prefer.

Yes, I am qualified in first aid - I don’t feel she was in danger but being sick isn’t very pleasant for her or anyone!

How is the porridge getting to her mouth?

They aren't meant to be able to physically pick up anything that they could choke on (e.g. a pea), so it's mostly things they can hold in their fist initially. E.g. broccoli stalks, appropriately shaped pasta, maybe some toast. They will gag and expel some. They may just suck on some.

It's not a parenting fad (but pureeing is totally natural 🙄), but I do suspect that it's not appropriate until later than the age many start weaning in this country. My elder one tried to swipe a piece of pizza from my mouth at 9 months, which is when meaningful quantities were being consumed.

How old is she?

I’ve seen this before about using gums to chew and maybe some babies do but she certainly doesn’t!