Baby Led Weaning?

[mumbleema]

It's time to wean my second but I had such a horrid time doing it with number 1 - I'd spend ages lovingly pureeing and freezing all manner of veg only for him to refuse to eat it - that I can't face it again. Plus with another pre-schooler at home, I don't have the time for all that work.

So I was going to try baby led weaning instead. Any one done it and have any tips? Do I just give him little pieces of what we are all having? Is there anything he can't have at 6 months?

Thanks

I did it with my second for exactly the same reason and it was SO much easier.

Basically yes, give them what you are having. To start with it's easier if you can cut things into a chip shape as it's easier for them to pick up.

There's a great blog www.babyledweaning.com with info and recipes.

Just weaning my second and like you I can't bear the idea of doing yet another set of food every meal time... so long as you can stand the mess BLW is brilliant. Im doing a bit of both BLW and purees, but after only a month boy2 won't let me hold the spoon. Top tips include: things on toast fingers, ripe fruit batons, brocolli (because every meal is better with brocolli) and things rolled into small balls- meatballs, falafel risotto balls, fritters. Today's winning food was strawberry.
And remember that food is just a game till 9/10 months. Its about taste texture and coordination, so don't get hung up on what does or doesn't go in.
Have fun.

Hi Mumbleema,

@MNWandsworth have put me in touch with you via the power of Twitter! I am a registered Nutritionist specialising in paediatrics and maternal nutrition and run weaning workshops in SW London and Surrey.

Great idea and I find a lot of people opt for baby led weaning for their second child. As you say it's often easier in terms of preparing food and baby can get stuck in with family foods right from the off.

At first it is best to offer foods in the shape of an adult sized index finger but as baby becomes more experienced he/she will be able to pick up smaller pieces of foods using the pincer grip. You could even try offering baked beans and mashed potato. For this your baby will just grab handfuls and feed themselves. With finger foods try to make sure the food is soft enough to bite through with gums but not so soft that it falls apart as soon as baby picks it up.

From 6 months there's not an awful lot to avoid but be wary of foods that may contain higher amounts of salt (such as ready made pasta sauces, gravy, stock cubes) and sugar. If you're offering family foods it's fine for baby to have things like garlic, onion, pepper herbs and mild spices but best to avoid hotter spices or chilli - think of the nappies!

I've attached a couple of images from my workshops which may help a bit but please let me know if you have any other questions.

Catherine

Thanks so much for all the tips - has encouraged me to definitely give it a go. Hurrah no more mashing veg!