Baby led weaning...dont you worry if they get enough food??

[cheapandchic]

I am trying to give my 7 month old only finger foods. She doesn't like the spoon unless its porridge in the morning.

However, its a right mess. Almost everything is dropped on floor (which dog eats before I get it) and it just seems that not much gets in.

Yes her nappies have changed. But she seems too hungry and gets frustrated and then just wants breast milk. Its like not enough gets in...

How do you get them to get more in mouth and swallowed?

Part of BLW is the freedom to experiment. Which includes chucking it on the floor. Lucky you have a dog to clear up the mess, we do too!

There's a saying "food is for fun until they're one" or something - she doesn't need the nutrition from food necessarily if she is still feeding well from the breast. She will get there in her own time. :)

If I remember correctly, the aim is not to try BLW when they are really hungry as it can frustrate them. Give them milk as normal and in-between times offer them food. It doesn't really matter if they are not eating much at the mo, it is just the experience of different textures in their hands and mouths.
Good luck

Yep food is fun until 1. Lo now 14 months eats everything, including yogurt etc with a spoon/ fork. Wasn't particularly untested until 10/11 months. Had first food at just gone 6 months so had barely practiced at 7 months

DD is also 7 months and we are doing blw. I do wonder what she consumes! Unfortunately I don't have a dog and boy am I fed up with all the mess!! I just keep telling myself that it will all be worth it in the end!! I'm hoping to see some progress soon. She did however love mash potato last night and come to think about it, wasn't much mess so I guess she ate quite a bit!!

I've had 2 diffrent experiences. Ds1 got very frustrated, he wasn't the most coordinated baby (still isn't age 5!) and though he would start the meal happily he got annoyed after a while at pasta pinging out of his hand before he got it to his mouth etc so we used to put some on his tray and also mush some with a fork to put on a spoon and offer him. Dd though was absolutely fine feeding herself and hoovered everything up. Pointless worrying though, if she fills up on milk so what? Milk should be providing most of her nutrition anyway :)

yes, she should be getting most her nutrition from BF until she's a year, so don't worry about it.

I know what you mean, DD seems to "what's with all this playtime? give me the real foood! "
It helps to give her a feed (or partial feed) before she sits down to food/dinner with you

you can put an oilcloth (pvc tablecloth) on the floor, and put back on her tray anything she drops. (makes it a bit cheaper)

Ikea bibs are great. They are kinda like large painting overalls so covet all area and gave a little food catch area. Easy to wipe over or just throw in washing machine.