Weaning

[almightysockbandit]

Hi all

Just looking for a bit of advice ds is almost 8mo he's been having purees and is now pretty much having 3 meals a day plus his milk. Baby porridge and purees I make when at home and packets/jars when out and about.

I have tried baby lead but it worries me that he will choke I know I'm probably being a bit presious but he choked on a bit of cooked carrot stick then threw it up so I'm I little sheepish about trying it again, he eats really well when spoon fed and is OK with textures does have a tenancy to hold it in his mouth like he's not sure what to do with it now if it's lumpyish.
he has snacks like mealty sticks and rice cakes and bits of cut up banana which he eats well

I'm not much off a cook and am struggling with ideas to vary his diet and want him to enjoy different foods of varing textures no issues with intolerance or allergies so far, egg milk and peanuts-(butter) he's had no reaction to

Any recipes or advice would be greatly apreciated

At 8 months you really need to given finger food as it is essential to muscle development for speech. Look up the difference between gagging and choking and go on a first aid course.

It's usually gagging rather than choking, it's still pretty tough to watch but it's part of the learning process. Lots of videos on YouTube that show the difference. They can have anything you have (just limited salt & sugar, no honey, food chopped up to avoid choking risk).

If he’s eaten banana then try other things with a similar texture - lumpy rice pudding, mashed potato, avocado, beans and lentils. You don’t need to use expensive processed stuff.

It's not because its "not safe" it doesn't really pose a choking risk, as babies do fine eating natural purees like applesauce, guac, and mashed taters. It's confusing and frustrating for them. Not in the sense of how to swallow, but of what's expected of them.
When you Do purees you are in control of the food, spoon, and dishware. Baby learns to sit and receive. When you do BLW, baby learns that they are in control. They do the work. If you switch back and forth, they wont know if they're supposed to sit, or do. This could result in a power struggle,or baby refusing to do it themselves-thus being counter productive to the main goal of BLW.

It best to avoid doing both because it could potentially confuse baby. Not in the sense of being confused about the food, but what's expected of them. When doing purees, you're in control of the spoon and the bowl, and generally don't let the baby have control. They're expected to sit still, open mouth and accept the food. With BLW the baby is in complete control of the food, and any dishware. If you're switching back and forth they won't understand if they're supposed to do it themselves or sit and receive. Which could be frustrating and counter productive. They may fight you during the meal for control, or refuse to feed themselves and "make" you do it for them. Babies thrive on consistency, which is why it's best to be all or nothing.
Traditionally weaning consists of both spoon feeding and offering finger foods. Doing both puree & blw is actually considered traditional weaning.
Even with tw babe should be on finger foods nor purée as it's not real food would you want to eat or.

Why not try blw

It's enjoyable!
It's natural
Babies who self-feed learn about the look, smell, taste and texture of foods and how flavors work together
BLW teaches babies what is chewable and what isn't
Self-feeding allows babies to practice important aspects of their development at every meal time!
BLW families tend to choose healthier diets
BLW promotes extended breastfeeding
It's cheaper! No special meals to prepare or food to buy
Baby is included at meal times and feels part of the family and many more!

Babe feed themselves no spoon. Feeding and it cheaper. Ultimately it's your descions what you do momma

Hey there so it's normal for babes to gag. It can be nerve wrecking but they are doing a whole new learning process. It does get better as babe goes along and learns to chew. I'd keep offering foods as a family