Nervous about BLW - please reassure me

[Highlove]

DD (PFB) is 25 weeks. In the last couple of days we've started solids. BLW instictively feels like the right choice for us and I'm totally convinced of that. I've been so looking forward to this (I love cooking and food generally) but now it's here I'm wobbling a bit about the choking risk. I'm trying to be mind over matter about and she's so far had cucumber sticks, roast sweet potato, a chip, a breadstick and some toast. I'm trying desperately to appear relaxed for her but the truth is I'm shitting myself. I'm really trying to fight the urge to go down the purée route - I don't think it's the right approach for us but it is tempting!

Please can someone offer a bit of advice, tell me they've been there and generally tell me it'll be fine?

I didn't do BLW...because my DC are just about grown ups and I'd never heard of it.

So I did purée and finger foods and well whatever was easiest at the time, lol.

Anyway, by 25 weeks they were totally eating all those things fine and more...the only thing I ever remember them coming clues to actually choking on was banana, because they ram too much in there, lol.

You're fine honestly, the reason we started on purée back then was because of the younger age you were weaning at.

What's wrong with purée? Can't you just do a mix?

Just don't give anything too small to eat whole and you'll be fine.

I did blw, it's great you really have to trust them, remember that their gag reflex is really far forward in the mouth so even if they are gagging it doesn't mean they are choking. You have to just take a couple of deep breaths and let them work it out.
My dd never choked on anything while weaning but other friends going down the purée route found babies started choking when they introduced more lumpy things. once or twice I had to really stop myself panicking when she bit chunks off things but really she never had a problem.
Enjoy it. It's so much fun watching them really discover food. And start doing loaded spoons of things early like yogurt and soups you'll be amazed how quickly they get into it and can feed themselves with a spoon.

Oh - nothing wrong with purée. But even if I did that she's at the point now where she'd need finger food too, so I guess is be scared about that, too! Basically I'm having a neurotic new mum few days!

Try and go on YouTube and watch some videos of gagging - it can easily be mistaken for choking.

I would also recommend reading the BLW book by Gill Rapley. It is suggested that spoon feeding has as much chance as choking as baby feeding themselves.

For me, I kept food chunky and DD gnawed on it and dropped lots on the floor. I always ate at the same time as her so she could watch us eating and learn from it too, that way I was always close by. I didn't go on a first aid course but I read up on what to do in the event of choking and knew I'd be able to react quickly.

I think if you are uncomfortable and anxious, they may pick up on it, it's hard, but try and relax and enjoy this stage. And make sure you have a camera, it's hilarious when they explore with different tastes and textures.

Ok, thanks all.

I think I'll be fine in a week or two - it's just these first steps feel a bit scary. Bit like the first time I took her out in the pram and it took me about five mins to cross the road. I got over that pretty quickly, I'm sure I will with this.

Breakfast tomorrowis toast. Asparagus and melon later in the day. I am kind of excited about it, just got to get over this little wobble.

If you can find a baby first aid course, then you might find that helps your confidence too. I did one when my DD was very small and it helped me feel more confident that I could cope with a choking situation if I needed to.

Highlove - I'm about to start BLW too. I've been excited for weeks since reading the Gill Rapley book but also getting nervous now, especially as I've had a bit of a negative reaction from other people. I'd love to hear how you get on, I don't know anyone else who is doing it.

Blw both ours. It is fab. Easy to create meals, they love the control (both hated to be spoon fed).youngest is 9months and almost completely weaned, only has about 15oz of formula now. Eldest is about to turn 3 and eats everything (except lamb).

Don't worry. It will be fine. Enjoy- and try and ignore the mess, it's only for a few months.....!