Weaning

[FTM2022x]

BLW or puree?
Has anyone got opinions on what is best? My baby is about to turn 6 months so will be weaned soon. I was thinking of doing a combination of the 2 but i’m so scared of choking with BLW

My DD turned 6 months in 18th October. We have done a mixture since then. I start the meal putting bits on the tray of her high chair which she will hold herself (with encouragement) then when I have finished eating or she is getting restless I spoon feed some puree. She seems to enjoy both. We have just started to introduce lunch today too x if choking worries you, you could do a paediatric first aid course. There are also lots of helpful groups on Facebook, and I borrowed some weaning books from the library. Have fun!

We did blw and I loved all of us eating together at the same time instead of messing about with spoon feeding. It was messy, but is so good for hand/eye coordination and I found that my DC was happy to eat anything we were. There are some great FB groups to get advice, recipes etc. I am definitely doing it again this time around.

I would recommend going on a first aid course or at least, look up some videos online (St. John ambulance have some good ones) of what to do if a baby chokes. Choking can happen with any food. Also, look up the difference between choking and gagging - gagging looks scary but it's a completely normal part of learning to swallow and nothing to worry about.

Follow Solid Starts OP - they are an absolutely amazing resource and have so much free content on Instagram and via their website. They do advocate baby lead weaning but also give advice if you want to spoon feed (e.g. always let baby take the spoon and bring to their mouths themselves) and their guidance on choking/gagging gave me so much confidence. E.g. why bigger is actually better. Most people give tiny bits of food because of choking fear but bigger foods cannot physically be choked on as they cant fit down the airway in the first place. Also how babies have so many protection mechanisms against choking. If you think about it, from an evolutionary perspective it makes sense, we're designed not to choke!

We spoon fed pouches and jars - worked our way through the different age ranges. Found it easy - quick, easy and no mess and DT’s developed a liking for a huge range of flavours. No issues when they started on regular food when they ate everything.

It's all totally hit and miss and depends on your baby. Some eat, some don't. Ours refused purée completely - total waste of effort! But they all get there in their own time. Important thing is to not get stressed about it, so go with whatever you feel most comfortable with.