I've lost the confidence and /or ability to see feeding cues!

[hotmama]

I've put a similar message under weaning.

Dd2 is 23 weeks this week and exclusively bf. I always seem to have to take the initiative to feed her as she doesn't seem really bothered.

She is a finger/toe sucker anyway, sometimes sleeps through the night and sometimes she doesn't.

Is putting on weight slowly - but always puts it on. Has plenty wet nappies and 'occasional' poohy ones!

When she feeds she often pulls herself off to look around - aren't they all nosey at this age?

So although dd2 is a 'lazy' feeder she must be doing O.K as she is a lovely/happy lo

My main dilemma at the moment is how am I supposed to know when she wants to start weaning onto solids - quite happy to hold out for a bit - but what if she is gagging for a bit of banana and I don't realise

Any help or advice is appreciated.

TIA

You will absolutely realise when the time comes, because she will let you know quite clearly. She will probably get hungrier, will watch your food from your plate to your mouth, will try to grab your food. She may even mimic you chewing. Those are the cues that I remember very clearly from my two LOs.

she will be grabbing food from you - you will know. If she is happy as she is - then no rush to push "real" food on her.

bump

hotmama - I have just posted on the weaning site on a similar topic - have you considered baby led weaning (BLW?) My LO has been sitting with the rest of the family for mealtimes and I have been offering (quite separately from bf) suitable bits and bobs from our meal (eg broccoli, carrot, new potatoes). This way she can play with the food, explore it with her senses and give it a good gumming! When she is ready to 'eat' she will chew and swallow. Just allow her the opportunity and she can lead the way.

baby led weaning sounds fab!

does that mean no more baby rice, no more weeks of pureed carrot?

Yes, yes, yes! Such a good idea only a baby could have thought of it! Makes you wonder how certain people have made so much money out of recipes for puree!

eg

Apple puree: puree an apple

Carrot puree: puree a carrot

wherethewildthingsare - I'm intending to go down a more BLW route with dd2. I've got the La Leche booklet - so I'll give it a go when the time seems right - which doesn't seem like for a while - I'm sure dd2 will let me know if she is starving.

Thanks for your input.

Agree with the posts re commercial baby foods - how hard is it to puree a carrot?