Starting BLW

[Madratlady]

DS is 25 weeks old and very interested in watching us eat. We've decided to do blw and tonight he sucked a carrot stick and dropped it on the floor, and totally ignored some cauliflower, so pretty much what I was expecting for a first attempt.

I know the idea is for him to have what we have but is it OK to just go straight to giving a little of our meals? For example lunch tomorrow for me will be a tuna sandwich and probably an apple and a yoghurt. And shepherds pie for tea. He won't be given anything salty or spicy though.

And what about water? He doesn't have a clue what to do with his sippy cup.

I don't think he actually needs to be weaning as such yet, he's fine with his milk but since he's interested in us eating I'd like to include him in meals.

Assuming he can sit up on his own in the high chair, then yes you can give what you're having.

The only thing I would watch out for are hard things like raw apple, carrot etc. I would grate those for a good long while, until he is a very competent eater. My ds is nearly 2 and I will now give him raw carrot sticks to crunch, or a whole apple. Still watch him like a hawk though!

Also don't add salt to food, and avoid using honey (risk of botulism). I would actually offer spicy foods as long as they are not too hot. Babies like lots of different flavours, and I added lots of spices and herbs to food when I started weaning. A wide range of flavours is ideal as there is some evidence that this decreases fussiness when babies are older (aged 2 plus).

Oh, also meant to say about water...
Yes, he won't have a clue about what to do with water in a sippy cup, but keep offering it anyway. Eventually he will work it out and start to drink water properly with his food.

Yes I would just put a little of what you are having on high chair and let him have a go. Very little will actually get eaten initially but that's fine! I would watch out for raw Apple though as little bits will break off. BLW is fab!

We started last week and LO is just having breakfast with me at the moment. I find that it is a good time as he is refreshed from a night's sleep and just had a feed. At lunchtime he tends to be napping and by the time we have supper he has gone to bed. Guess I will introduce those meals bit by bit.

So far her has had pear, nectarine, sweet potato and avocado. Not much is being swallowed and a lot of it is mushed in his hands but it does go in his mouth. There's a really good Facebook group called Baby Led Weaning which I have found very helpful. Also check out videos on YouTube.

I haven't tried breakfast. We've had 3 dinners and 2 lunches so far. He's less interested in dinner as I think he's tired but he always has a try at lunch. I don't think he's actually eaten anything yet and it's very messy but it's good that he's exploring food.