Is BLW the right thing for ds?

[ApuskiDusky]

Hi, ds2 is now 6 months, and I'm dithering over how to introduce solids. We've been through all sorts with poor weight gain, but we're now signed off from the paediatrician and he's tracking between 2nd and 9th centile thanks to high calorie formula.

Paed has said to continue with hi cal formula until about 8 months once he's properly established on solids.

I have two concerns re BLW - firstly, the need to relax about what is being eaten, especially when it feels like I have a two month deadline. Also he is a little behind in terms of physical strength - eg. he sits OK in a bumbo, but no chance of sitting in the antilop at the moment.

Big plus for BLW - I feel like I've had to impose feeding on him up til now - always trying to get more milk into him - and I'd love to give back control of eating to him.

Anyone had a similar experience or any advice?

Why don't you try a mix and see how he gets on? It might be quite stressful worrying about weight gain and leaving it all to him.

If you offer some purees and also finger food you could see how well he takes to self-feeding - he might be awesome at it and get stuck in.

The only drawback to this idea I guess (apart from not being BLW purist) is that they tend not to like things being put in their mouths. it's weird how they're so much more prepared to try it if they're in control. But at least you could see how he is with gagging - that can be something for some babies to overcome.

Do you have the inflatable insert for the antilop? DD can't sit unsupported yet bit sits fine with the insert. I too have similar concerns DD is not as small as DS was at this age but has dropped to 2nd centile. (DS was on 0.4th) I got all overly anxious with DS and his eating can be quite poor. Am gearing up to do blw with dd (not quite 6 months yet so just getting lots of ideas). However, in prepartion I have been trying to apply the principles and give DS (3) more control and it seems to be working. He still doesn't eat loads but mealtimes are a lot less stressful.

Thanks both - I have just ordered the tray for the bumbo so that I can offer him some bits and pieces and see how he gets on, but I think I will try some purée too; ideally he'll get finger foods quickly and I can drop the mush.

I had to give up my purist ideals about exclusive bf, so not being able to do purist blw is not as big a deal for me, if the spoon-feeding needs to continue.

I hear what you're saying jandmmum about being anxious - I wasn't all that relaxed with ds1 when weaning, and he was 50th centile!

Thanks both.