Scared of weaning

[IJustWoreMyTrenchcoat]

I am a first time mum and a little apprehensive about weaning my baby. He is 24 weeks and fine on milk at the moment so I will start in the next 2-3 weeks. At the moment he can sit up if well supported, but only for a tiny bit if I let go. He is very interested and curious whenever anybody is eating and drinking and grabs food/tips your cups, although I know this isn't a sign he's ready it's very encouraging.

I wanted to try Baby Led Weaning (partly because I like the idea, partly down to laziness!). I'll probably give a mix of mostly finger foods but am not dead set and don't object to some mashed veg/fruit for him to try or giving him a hand if necessary.

I was wondering do I offer just veg first then move on to things like pasta and meat etc. or can I offer him more choice from the start. What I mean is does he need to get used to the concept or can we give him proper meals (low salt etc.) from the start. I know to avoid things like whole grapes and honey and have read about gagging, but the idea of giving some foods brings me out in a cold sweat. Lots of people I know followed Annabel Karmel to the letter and her recipes for meatballs and things say suitable from 10 months. Even though I know this is because she says purée then introduce textures and finger foods it still makes me nervous.

Don't be scared Trenchcoat! It sounds like your DS is interested in your food & drink which is good. I didn't do BLW, (did a mix of purees and finger food) but there's a book that it might be worth reading before you embark on it which might give you confidence about which foods to offer. Probably best not to get too focused on doing it a certain 'way', stay flexible. You won't 'break' him or ruin him for life if you don't do things a certain way, or things don't go perfectly from day one.

My LO is 24 weeks on Saturday and we are going to start weaning then. I'm so excited! I agree though its so confusing, everything you read either says slightly different or leaves me with questions that it doesn't answer.

Im going with purées to start with and have made and frozen the veg ones already. It only took me an hour and ive got a good few weeks worth. Plus ive bought some fruit purée in pouches for convenience (and they were on offer in Tesco).

I think with BLW you just give a baby appropriate bit (i.e. Not salted, soft etc) of whatever you are having and not worry about starting with certain foods. As long as they are over 6 months i believe they can have anything except the obvious honey, whole nuts, uncooked egg yolk etc.

Hey Trenchcoat, please don't be scared! I did BLW with DD (although not religiously, I fed yoghurt/soup with a spoon!). I started at about the same age, with steamed sticks of carrot about the length of my finger and broccoli florets (we just had broccoli and carrot with whatever else we were eating for a week or so!). As soon as she was 6 months, I started giving her meat/bread/porridge etc. Meatballs/fish fingers are a good way to start with meat and fish, as they're soft (so easy to chew) and relatively easy for small hands to hold. I have a brilliant picture of her 6.5mo munching on beef meatballs with tomato sauce (messy tho!) Enjoy it

I can't cook much else, but I can make nice meatballs so can make a big batch of those. So just maybe offer steamed veg until he gets the idea, then quickly move on?

This could be a good point to brush up on your cooking skills, your DS will enjoy variety so good motivation to try out some new recipes for both of you! The BLW website has lots of recipes and ideas for good finger foods, as do several threads on MN. My DD loves eggy bread fingers, I got the idea to offer her that from here. Slices of ripe, peeled pear are also good, it's sweet & soft, as is mango. Banana, split into thirds down the middle, is a good fruit for them to hold & bring to their mouth. Before you know it, he'll be eating the same as you!

Tenchcoat - I wasn't much of a cook either, I saw it as an opportunity to improve my cooking (and baking) skills - DH and I were pleasantly surprised!