About to start Baby lead weaning, any tips/advice on getting started ?

[OnEdge]

This is my 3rd, and I am sick of trying to shovel plastic spoons of slop in. I had to do BLW with the last one because he just hated the spoon going in, just screamed.

So how do I start? DD is just 6 months old.

(although I did it last time, I didn't start off doing it, i want to know how to get her going)

I just popped my two (twins) in their high chair and had them sit with me every time I ate. The important thing is to eat with them, don't force them to eat anything and don't shove food in their hands or mouths. It works on the principle that they explore food themselves and figure out the process of eating and chewing and swallowing themselves. It can be a slow process, though mine took to it very fast.

I used to give them things they would be able to pick up. Think toast soldiers with various different toppings at breakfast. Soft fruit cut into finger sized pieces and I also found mine did well with sainsburys apricot wheats and raisin wheats. These can absorb a lot of milk and remain a good size for them to pick up. I also sometimes made the Jamie Oliver pancake recipe with grated fruit in it as they were thick so could be picked up. Lunchtime we often had pasta with some kind of nice home made sauce (fusili is a good size and shape for them to pick up) or cheese on toast or sandwiches .

For dinner they often just had a version of what we were having. A not too runny lasagne or stews with big chunks of meat and I always did some steamed veg to go with them. Experiment with what works best for your baby.

For snacks rice cakes were fantastic.

There is a really good book called baby led weaning by gill rapley which is very easy to read and follow (it is also a great one to give to any family who think you are mental)

Be warned they do occasionally gag on things. The important thing is not to freak out and not to intervene. They figure out how to expel any food on their own and having a mother go crazy whilst hey are doing it will just frighten them.