Not convinced about baby led weaning. :/

[alice93]

As it's not long until my 4 month old (18 weeks) turns 6 months, or at least next week will be the last time we see the health visitor here before we spend the summit abroad (he'll have a health visitor there).
Last time me & the health visitor spoke, she was dead set on him doing baby led weaning, with no puree.
The thing is I'd feel far more confident giving him puree (and soft food to hold and eat if he wishes) as I've done that before with the girl I au-paired. I look forward to using a baby blender (although I have to convince DP we need one!) and making interesting purees for him.
So as long as encourage him to put food in his mouth, is there such harm in letting him have puree too?

In my area hv's speak like blw is the law and any traditionally weaned baby will be forever fussy. My ds is not at all fussy (now 2 yrs) and we used puree's in to start with.

I've weaned both of mine on puree - one is 2 now and one is 11 years old and both eat everything and anything. Long term I don't think it makes any difference at all. For me I just felt constantly stressed about the gagging / choking reflex and I couldn't relax with the whole idea of blw so I did what felt natural to me.

I didn't see the health visitor after about 6 weeks with either of mine. Unless there's a specific reason you're wanting to see them I suggest going it alone as you will learn to trust your own judgement more and not worry so much about the wrong and right ways (of which they're aren't) of doing things.

Do whatever you want to do, and just be led by your baby. IME once the baby starts to get a taste for solid food and actually wants it they will let you know whether they prefer spoons or finger foods. We offered both, DD made it clear she preferred being spoon fed. It doesn't seem to have done any of the harm the really keen BLW advocates suggest spoon and puree feeding it does, she eats very well at the moment. I would just try a bit of everything really. BLW is easier because you don't have to sit there feeding them and you can share a meal with them, but whatever gets your baby interested in solids is the right way.