is blw better than purees like my sister says?

[cleoowen]

If so why? Anyone know the pros and cons of both?

[TotesAmazeGoats]

DD is 10 months and after feeding herself for 4 of those, her dexterity is pretty impressive. There's occasional things we use spoons for, like yoghurt and at the beginning, things like wheetabix. But she normally has her own spoon in hand as we do it. She also has a fierce appetite and will eat absolutely anything. I'm really hoping it stays this way as she grows.

The Gill Rapely book was useful to begin with. But really, other than altering our diet slightly, (I don't season until its on our plates, and we use unsalted butter etc) it's been really easy. Eating out is a breeze. We do this regularly and I couldn't imagine the faff of having to bring jars/spoons etc along. As long as I order something she can share with me, and we usually get sides of veg, she can enjoy it to.

I think the most beneficial thing is te development of a healthy relationship with food. They know when they are full, so will stop eating. If there's something on her tray she doesn't fancy. She won't eat it. But to see her explore her food, study it, taste it, put it down, then change her mind and gobble it up, I love it. As someone else had said, it's been the most fun part for us so far.
Most importantly for you, just so whatever feels right.

[Fairylea]

I have two dc and did mainly purees till about 9 months and then gradually introduced finger foods. Both eat everything and anything and never had any issues. Do whatever seems best for you. I don't think it makes any difference long term. Purees have been around for years and years and years and you don't see many adults still eating them !

[Flisspaps]

//www.babyledweaning.com is a great website.

DD was BLW, at 3 she can use a fork and a spoon, no problems, she was never spoon fed.

DD is 1, his favourite thing to do with a spoon is to throw it on the floor and then eat everything with his hands. DD was the same. Don't worry that if you do BLW your DC will struggle with cutlery - they will learn (the same as everything else!)

[VisualiseAHorse]

I do a bit of both - at one he eats from a spoon, and can feed himself. Meal times are as messy or as clean as I want! Messy mealtimes at home, and clean (well, cleaner) ones when we're out or travelling.

[PetiteRaleuse]

I do a mix of purees and finger food. I don't think either method is better, one, or a mix of both, just suits people and babies differently. I batch cook and freeze purées, it's really not that much faff, and they are far nicer than the shop bought stuff. BLW, or finger food as it has been called for much longer, is better suited to things like toast of course as who would puree toast?

Must admit I don't get the evangelical all or nothing attitude to either 'method'

[HappyJoyful]

I have a GP friend (with 3 young kids who eat amazingly) and she like others here are saying is anti a staunch stance on either 'method's' - it's a bit of this and a bit of that. Sometimes a baby does need food and if that means spooning in some porridge or a weetabix then that's fine and then if they want to suck or chomp on some toast then so is that.

All the rubbish I've read on here and seen with friends spending hours and hours fussing and pureeing and then having it thrown around and the upset that baby x hasn't eaten this or that - am sure the upset and stress and worrying about it causes much more harm.

Don't over research, do what's best for your baby and you - relax and make it enjoyable, it really isn't a big deal imo

[Lookslikerain]

I would pre-load the spoons to begin with, though DD preferred to use her fingers, even with runny stuff. She'd then guide it to her mouth, sometimes successfully, sometime not.

I didn't consciously introduce it at a certain time. I'd usually have a spoon on her tray for her to play with. I guess she's just naturally progressed to using it herself. I don't think i really noticed it happening but now she's actually quite good at 14 months. She can get sticky stuff like porridge in quite easily as it stays on the spoon better. She's also been trying with a little fork recently.

We've never had a choking incident but I second doing a first aid course if you're concerned. We did one before my DS was born and they cover what to do.

[AliceWChild]

Sorry my spoon but is entirely vague. I dip it in and then put it on his tray for him to pick up if he wants to and put in his mouth all over his face

[AliceWChild]

I dip a spoon in my yogurt and give it to him.

Choking is a risk with both approaches. Some say it's less with blw. I'd suggest reading the book for info on what to expect re that and also do a first aid course if you're concerned. I did that before introducing any food as I was worried.

[cleoowen]

Thanks guys, will check the book out. Think going to do both as with blw I wonder how you introduce a spoon.

Also, going away for a week soon and think blw will be easier for that.

Only concern is the choking, that worries me.

[Lookslikerain]

exhaustipated You have said everything I was going to say!

We did puree with DS because I naively thought the HV had all the answers then blw with DD.

So much easier to make only 1 meal.

We didn't build up to 3 meals a day. At mealtimes, I'd put her in the highchair and give her something suitable that we were having. She mainly just played with it but gradually the playing decreased, and the eating increased. She then gradually reduced her milk as she ate more.

Read the Gill Rapley book. It explains everything. I downloaded it as an iBook to my phone.

We loved it. If it doesn't work, it's easy enough to move back to purees. Good luck whatever you chose.

[Exhaustipated]

I have done both and the main thing I have really appreciated is how very very much easier BLW is! We just give DD some of what we're having at every family meal, that's it. Simples :)

I will spoon feed yogurt or porridge in principle but actually she won't really allow herself to be fed.. the main thing is I don't worry about it.
Food is fun until one is my mantra.

[JollyPurpleGiant]

I would keep offering the same amount of milk. Baby will naturally reduce as they eat more. And if they don't reduce their intake, it is only an issue when they're nearer 1.

The 'health benefits' of BLW are, supposedly:
Improved fine motor control
More willingness to try new things
Baby will eat what they need in terms of nutrition so can choose to up protein/fat intakes if on a growth spurt
Baby will eat to their appetite rather than eating the amount you think they should

There might be more that I've missed as this is from memory. Remember, I did BLW, but despite this I would require many more comprehensive studies to be done before I believe that BLW is better for babies. BLW was simply better for our family.

[cleoowen]

Also, are there benefits to blw health wise or for digestion over purees?

[cleoowen]

Mouse, thanks. I intend on doing both and you outlined how it can be done easily.

Don't fancy making purees for hours do was going to blend what we are having and give chunks.

Intend to start with one meal a day,lunch, but worried he won't eat much. I then offer milk as usual, is this right? Do I offer the usual amount or less?

[maillotjaune]

All 3 boys were the same, Jolly

I am an expert in feeding myself with right hand and child with left hand though. I am also quite lazy and benefitted from very little mess!

[JollyPurpleGiant]

Spoon feeding until 2.6? I would def have lost the plot by then.

We BLWed because I'm lazy. I couldn't be bothered pureeing. And I wanted to eat when DS did rather than have to spend my time feeding him. Meal times take a loooong time which is good if you have a child who doesn't stay still, but will stay still in the high chair. So if we were at the lunch table for 45 mins I might spend 15mins eating, 15 mins cleaning the kitchen and 15 mins drinking coffee.

DS has just turned 2 and eats well. Not much veg but heaps of fruit and meat. I'm sure he would have eaten well if puree fed too though. I'm not saying BLW is responsible for his healthy appetite.

[myhandslooksoold]

Hallelujah Astonishingmousse someone who finally talks sense! A little bit of all approaches is without doubt the only sane way to do it.

[Pashazade]

This book is handy for explaining provided you ignore some of the attitude, I found a few bits rather irritating, but the reciepe book is good.
www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-led-Weaning-Helping-Your-Baby/dp/0091923808/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366575650&sr=1-2&keywords=baby%20led%20weaning&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21
I ended up doing blw as my ds decided he didn't want anything from a spoon it is straight forward and does mean less work, I tended to combine both prior to that. He loved chewing on toast when he was teething. Never had any issues with choking. But it is horses for courses!

[maillotjaune]

I was keen to try blw with DS3 but he wasn't having any of it. Like his older brothers he basically wanted to be fed until at around 2.6 he decided he would pick up a spoon.

He did eat finger food but nothing messy. Never found purees a hassle though because huge still ate what the rest of the family did, just had some of it mashed or blended.

My sister has stuck with blw which worked brilliantly for her first, but her second hardly eats.

I think it's as great idea but like everything else, babies and families all differ and if you try it and don't like it I wouldn't stress about it.

[AliceWChild]

Bigger bits they can get hold of. Not little as they won't be able to manage to get it to mouth. They tend to grab in fist and eat the bit poking out the top. My son had steamed carrots, broccoli and potato wedges for tea. Bread and cheese for lunch. All cut into sizes he can easily grab and hold. The gums are able to chew even without teeth. You need patience as most ends up on the floor at the start. Look for book by Gill Rapley.

[AstonishingMouse]

Several children down the line, I have found the approach that best suits us is to give the baby whatever the rest of the family is eating in whatever format works best.
So if it's breakfast and we're having cereal and toast then we would spoon feed with weetabix and put some toast on the high chair for finger food.
If we're having stir fry for dinner then the baby can have some as finger food, if we're having a mild coconut curry then I'll mash some and spoon feed.
Seems to work well and isn't too much hassle.

[cleoowen]

PS. What is best to read about blw?

[gallicgirl]

Babyledweaning.com will answer everything...almost.

Personally I can't see the point of purees. You add a load of water and then have to guess how lumpy to make it in stages? I think all the daft flavours on baby food jars in supermarket put me off too. Would you eat soup every day it combine pork, pear and spinach? Nah, me neither.

[cleoowen]

Thanks. This might be a silly question but how does blw work in terms of the baby eating? Do you chop it,so small they can eat it and swallow? Or are they bigger bits they suck/chew on? is,it raw or cooked so soft that they can break bits off?