Blw or purées?

[helloitsme4432]

Hey! What are the advantages of BLW and is it better for my baby than starting with purées then progressing to lumpier foods?
I know you can do both at the same time also, but is one better than the other?
Thank you

If you had asked me last year then I would have recommended BLW. It's very easy ad you basically just give baby whatever you are eating (unless takeaway or other salty foods) and let them crack on. It makes going out really easy and you don't need to prepare separate food.

Then dd2 came alone and won't feed herself, little monkey!! So we have been pushed down the mush route with her. I don't give puree so much but spponable foods such as soup, Bolognese, curry etc. I keep offering finger food but it's very slow going.

So you might chose, or your baby may chose for you!

Do whatever works and don't get too hung up on an 'approach' would be my advice.

Ha, similar to OP I'd recommended being flexible. I was planning to do some purees, some finger foods, but DD didn't want to be fed so for the first few months I just tried to give things she could feed herself. Once she got more used to eating she was happier for me to feed her things but by that point purees were a bit beside the point!

It doesn't have to be one or the other.

I tend to find BLW has it's own bunch of fanatics who are evangelical about BLW. Some of them think theres a positive correlation between mum skills and how much food goes on the floor or all over baby. Though humour aside, its it's probably best to ignore anyone arguing one set way.

We did a bit of both and had no issues. Some purees to get different flavours and BLW finger food to get used to texture.

Do whatever works for baby and for you. The end result is the same either way!

I would try both tbh and see which one your DC likes best. Once the food is 'real' (ie you puree your own fresh veg etc) that's the main thing IMO. I went with a mix of both at the start and my DD loved solid food so i basically ended up doing BLW and did no purees or mashed stuff past 7 months.I thought BLW was utter rubbish at the start but my DD is now turning 2 and eats everything we eat, and I think it's because she got such a variety at the start. So if I were you I would go with the style your baby likes and focus more on variety and healthy food as opposed to the 'method'.

We eased ourselves in to weaning with purées and then slowly introduced finger foods until it was clear that our daughter just preferred to pick and choose what she ate so we just do a combo now. As other posters have mentioned BLW does have its fanatics, honestly it’s a wonder anyone in the world even eats food because apparently If you don’t follow BLW approaches babies will never enjoy textures, learn how to pincer grip, etc etc (what a load of tosh!) just do what you’re comfortable with and keep it simple so you can all enjoy this journey!

Echo everyone else. I tried BLW but my son just wasnt into it. He took to purees much better, which have quickly progessed to lumpier foods.

Also agree on the BLW fanatics. There seem to be a few on here and BLW was really pushed, though it doesnt seem too bad now.

I would do both at same time. Mix it up. Might just be coincidence, but out of my friends who did the puree route (including myself) our babies are now fussy-ish toddlers. Those that did blw seem to have better eaters.

Both.

I did both at meal times. Let baby play with food/eat bits then made sure she had something like an Ella kitchen pouch good to make sure she had something substantial in her

I'd echo a bit of both!

Maybe also try thicker purées that will stay on a spoon relatively well. DS loves taking the spoon and feeding himself mash etc.

@Ihaveoflate

Do whatever works and don't get too hung up on an 'approach' would be my advice.

Yep this! Just do a combination....my DD did this and eats pretty well as a 3 year old. My niece was BLW and is a fussy thing so it doesn’t really matter. Don’t overthink it, I wish I didn’t.

Some people seem to be fanatical about BLW.

I tried both, with both children.

DD wanted to be independent and after a few purées very quickly only wanted things she could hold and feed herself. It was messy!

DS preferred to have it shovelled in and ended up mainly with purées as he would ignore or just lob anything else.

Exactly same approach, they ultimately led the way.

Thanks you everyone ☺️

I did BLW as it meant I got to eat while DC's fed themselves! My food is very important to me. 😐

We started with purees but then she started refusing to feed herself anything at all, anything at all (if we gave her anything to try that we had etc), she would just sit and open her mouth. We dropped all purees and started BLW and now she eats like a trooper, it is messy and we had about 2 months where she threw everything on the floor, but now she'll try anything! Give them both a go, see what works for you and baby!

I did a mixture of both and would recommend it. Of friends who just did BLW, some found it took their babies a long time to actually eat anything initially, and for those that just did purée some have fussy eaters now that don’t like textures. So I’m glad I did both at the same time personally!

It really doesn't matter. Around the age of 1 they all turn into super fussy toddlers who will only eat 4 foods (even turning their noses up at stuff they used to like before)

I did both. BLW wasn't suitable for my eldest so he had purées. My daughter refused to be spoon fed so I had to do more BLW .... I personally prefer the purée.

In my experience there is a group of mums who get quite judgey about this. They all chant 'food before 1...' and tell you you're terrible if you dare to open a pouch or jar.....

I'd just see what they want to do. Mine didn't want to do BLW

I did both, win win. No need to over think it, just take it day by day, it's easier than you think

Yup, DS decided he couldn't possibly be fed off a spoon so we did/do BLW. It's a right mess tbh. The upside however is that we all get to eat our meals while they're warm.

I agree with doing a bit of both and seeing what happens. Unfortunately my baby hates both approaches, but hopefully yours will get on with at least one!

I think BLW is a bit of a fad. Me and my siblings were all brought up on purées and (gasp!) jar food. We all ate absolutely everything as kids and I am now the least fussy eater I know!

Bit of both, and I think it all depends on the child as well.

My friend's DD absolutely refused to be spoon fed in any way, she wanted to do it all herself, even yoghurt. She eats most food, but is very fussy about certain things.

My own DD refused to do any sort of BLW, and would only be fed pouches on a spoon. She has a quite severe food aversion even now, although she's getting slightly better at 6.

And as for my DS... he didn't care whether a spoon was involved or not, as long as it went in his mouth! Whatever got it in the quickest was his method. He's 2 and still eats EVERYTHING.

Just go with what feels right. I tied myself up in knots over BLW with DD, and she clearly wasn't interested. She would likely still have her food issues now, but I wouldn't have been so stressed if I'd just spoon fed from the start. I was much more relaxed with DS but he's a human dustbin so quite a lot of it is clearly down to the kid!

Advantages of blw:
Significantly less work with blw. You can eat with baby so saves time. You don’t need to meal plan - can make one pot dishes for everyone that are then seasoned at the table. Choking risks are lower after the first few hairy months - as babies get used to testing their gag reflex.

Disadvantages of blw:
A lot of mess - get a splashmat, a highchair you can hose down, and one of those catch all bibs. After the initial weaning part babies can often end up eating too much or too little - you really need to monitor how much mess they make and make sure you offer the right portions. If you’re going to someone’s house then you need to bring the hoseable highchair and splashmat / bibs otherwise they’ll never invite you back again. Those initial few weeks where they gag and choke on everything are scary.