BLW - an idiots guide

[F1rstT1meMummy]

Hi
I really want to try BLW with my DD - but want to ensure I am well informed for when we begin.

Can you share some top tips, info and advice with me please? or point me in the direction of some good recipe books/info books?

Thanks

Try here op:
www.babyledweaning.com/

Aitch is very well known on mnet. :)

Make sure they are upright
Never leave them alone
Gagging is not choking
Don't buy recipie books - that's the whole point
Feed them from your plate
DOn't use salt in cooking, but don't worry about the odd bit eg Olives in pizza, marmite on toast
Ignore any unsupportive opinions
Don't get tempted by purees
Purees & finger foods is not BLW
Get a coverall bib
Cover the floor
Don't worry about the mess
IT DOESNT MATTER IF THEY DO NOT EAT ANYTHING! (Key)

Gill Rapley's book is good.

This site is very useful.

Essentially, give her things that are easy to pick up (penne pasta, strips of meat, sticks of veg or things like bolognese which she can just scoop up) and then when she develops a pincer grip at around 8 months, she can drive you mad eating individual peas (and other pea-sized foods)

The only things you need to avoid are whole grapes (slice them in half, quarter cherry tomatoes), honey (until 12mo) and whole nuts (but things like peanut butter are fine, it's the choking risk that's an issue with whole nuts)

Give her one or two pieces at a time to start with otherwise it tends to all get launched.

Get some sleeved bibs (Poundland's are excellent for BLW - they go in the washing machine, good length sleeves and high necks)

Be prepared for mess

Enjoy and relax

Don't read the Gill Rapley book it is awful! (or at least get it from the library so you can take it straight back when you discover it is patronising and annoying). She says you must wait till 6 months, regardless of whether baby is ready to wean before that. So not very baby led?

I would get lots of those bibs with elasticated arms - we have 4 and that is not enough!
Get cheap baby wipes for cleaning up mess
Get a mat or something to go on the floor - we are using an old plasticy table cloth that we cut to size.

Actually, having said I hated the GR book, I would say read everything you can find, and then decide what suits you. You don't have to follow any rules if you don't want to!

DOn't just offer them individual foods, i,e seperate meat, veg, carb etc. I made this mistake and DS who is 3 is only just recently started eating mixed in food like a shephards pie, or a fish pie or even soup.
With my 14 month old DD I mix in her food a bit so she is used to having mixed up food.

Fab thank you!!

The only other things I have to add is to be really patient! Let her go at her own pace.

You don't need a cookbook BUT I have found it to be really helpful because I didn't cook at all and needed inspiration!