BLW starts today, any buddies? this could get messy....

[becksblue]

My Ds has reached the 6 month mark so it's time! So far this morning he's made an almighty mess with a banana and seemed to really enjoy himself. No actual eating though bar licking some fingers.

Anyone else up for keeping me company/swapping tips and progress?

Anyone a bit further along then? Or not quite there but considering blw?

Anyone? It's lonely in here. I'll stick the kettle on

One last bump for the evening crowd

I could always document things on my own and hope someone turns up eventually....

Hello. We are kind of BLW - we don't puree anything but do use a spoon for things that need a spoon (cereal, yoghurt, peas). Our son is coming up 8 months now so a bit ahead of you. We did the same with our 5 year old son and I am a big fan. I am too lazy for pureeing and once they reach 6 months they can have nearly everything and you don't have to gradually introduce things in the way you do if you start at 4 or 5 months.

Enjoy :)

I'm a few months in with number 2. Its not for the faint hearted but i have successfully blwed one before who is a great eater. My tips are big plastic messy mats underneath them, porridge oat breakfast bars and batch cooking. Baths straight after spag bol,chilli and curry is to be expected. As you know gagging is normal. Good luck.

Thanks both for stopping me talking to myself and appreciate the good wishes!

corblimey I think that will be my approach too. I've bought some spoons with soft tips.

I have had a bit of a wobble (day 1!) because the random thought came into my mind when I was changing his nappy. Stupid but I thought I wouldn't let the baby change himself and let him stay in a dirty nappy until he's ready to do it himself.... That's crazy though isn't it?! I mean he self regulates already by ebf so it's just a continuation of that isn't it?

Yes. Eating is not the same as nappy changing! I was worried this time because DS2 has never been as enthusiastic about milk as his brother (both FF from reasonably early on) so I thought maybe he wouldn't be as enthusiastic about food but he is. Yes it takes a while (or it has for my two) for much to get swallowed and go down but milk is still their main source of nutrition so don't worry. And yes we've had plenty of gagging here but never choking. And we have a big plastic mat under the high chair and long sleeved bibs.

I'm 1 month in, and it's great. She's had all the bits of a beef stew today - beef, carrot, potatoes, onion, also rice cracker and cottage cheese, and a bit of Orange. I got both my DP and my MIL to read the book which has helped lots with everyone "getting it".

She still doesn't swallow loads but gradually getting more and more, she loves tasting and chewing and playing with it all.

With the nappy change analogy that would be more like expecting the baby to pop in the kitchen and make himself some toast! Obviously he can't do that, nor can he change a nappy. But he can learn to pick up food you've carefu prepared for him and learn to suck and chew it himself

We're about a month in, ds had his first stolen morsels at 5.5 months. Today he had toast spread with egg yolk (met my friend at a greasy spoon cafe for lunch! ) and a piece of roast chicken. He's only just started to eat 'properly' and I've noticed him maneuvering the food around his tray quite adeptly in the last few days too. We did have a blip of about a week where every meal ended in tears and rage because he couldn't get enough in to satisfy himself, so I would give him a spoon dipped in baby porridge as well which seemed to take the edge of his hunger a bit, the lo and behold after a few days he really seems to be eating well. I love blw, did it with my older ds but not dd (it didn't exist then!) And I especially love the way you can see them learning about food.

Thanks! I like comparing the nappy change to expecting them to make the toast That makes me feel loads better!

This way really makes sense to me but I know quite a lot of people think I'm being very alternative and I suppose I was starting to let that negativity creep in!

Going to have a go with broccoli tomorrow. Thinking that's not as slippery as bananas. So good to hear positive stories

Bear, what sort of think happened at 5.5 months, my DS is that age and this week is hungry (slowly over a week or so getting less and less satisfied with milk) I tested the water with some spoon stuff and he loved it (2 weeks ago clamped mouth shut pushed away etc)

I'm going to start finger foods now I'm happy with his hunger level - just wondering what exactly will happen

With bananas - you can cut in half and remove just a section of the skin to create a kind of 'handle' so they don't crush the whole thing in their mighty fist

If what I'm saying doesn't make any sense, then google 'BLW banana handle'.

BLW has not been without controversy for us. I swear my MIL asked me every day with my eldest if he'd had baby rice yet (he has never eaten baby rice). I think she's given up this time :) I know gagging makes her and my mum AND my sister (who is actually younger than me so it's not just a generational thing) all very nervous.

Unimaginative - what do you mean what will happen? You sit him in a highchair or on your lap with some food and he will pick it and play with it and maybe put some in his mouth. I can really recommend the Gill Rapley book as a good starting point. It's not really about them satisfying their hunger at first as milk will do that. But exploring the food. Most / all of it will fall out again and it will all make a terrible mess :) It's fun though.

I'm about to start with my nearly 6mo. I've done blw twice before but the difference this time is he was a bit premature and is not quite ready. His sister's were much better at sitting at this stage and I have no confidence that he can pick anything up - let alone find his mouth with it but he is super cute

Hv was really helpful and suggested delaying a bit. Rather than suggesting purees which I cba to learn about.

I did this with both of mine and loved it!!!

If you coat banana in weetabix 'dust' it's much easier to hold

unimaginative he basically stole food off my plate! I was very wary, as its hard to watch him and the other DC, but he took cucumber and a crust of toast. I have just gradually allowed him more bits until he got to 6 months and now he's pretty happy with anything we're eating. In fact, he gets annoyed if we've got different, 'better' food! I'd advise the rapley book too, its very informative. I'd really advise taking the time to sit, quietly, and listen to your baby's eating noises, its so noisy here at mealtimes and you really do need one eye on baby all the time because even with no teeth they can still bite off chunks of food. Its not nice, but they will gag and bring up food and then eat nit off the tray but remember that a choking baby is quiet and has panic in his eyes, a gagging baby will literally just bring uo food and carry on. Teach them to sweep their mouth out after meals with their finger from early on as well, as little bits can get lodged and reappear much latest! One problem we have had is he gets a windy belly after certain foods, brocolli, banana, or just too much veg in general, so we give him water after every meal and gripe water about an hour after and before bed. My in-laws thought I was absolutely bonkers and bohemian, and were worried my older ds would starve....funnily enough, they haven't said a word about ds 2 doing it because they have seen that it worked.

^^so many mistakes, typing too quickly!
My other tip is to get towelling coverall bibs ,(I got some in poundland), and after the meal, wash it out, use as flannel to wipe him, and wipe tray down all with the same cloth/bib. It gets soooo messy! And also have an empty bowl for waste because if you leave it on the tray it will be smushed into hair/clothes/dog etc....

While BLW mine loved all of these:

New potatoes, Broccoli, cooked carrots, sliced pear or Apple, banana, toast, brown bread n butter, cream cheese crackers, cheese of all kinds especially babybel, avocado slices and gnocci.

Gnocci was brilliant because it only takes 2 minutes, you can serve it with grated parmesan or pesto, it's a pefect grab-able size for a baby.

That answered my question wondered how much 'eating' was involved

The holy grail of BLW foods has to be sweet potato. Baked or steamed, no baby turns down a morsel of sweet potato.

So much good info! Thanks!

I don't know anyone in real life who has done blw although I'm sure plenty of people do it and just don't call it that. I do wonder if it's the name that puts people off.

I will be trying both the banana handle and the weetabix dust!

I also fancy sweet potato now so that will go on the menu at some point this week.

Quick question, how much if at all do you direct food to their mouths/encourage them to eat?

Such fond memories of blw with my two.... They are 7 and 11 now!

I never directed any in and we still don't for the 4 and 2 yo. I help them if thry want help, but parr of the point of it is teaching them self regulation. I don't always fancy something SK why should they.

That said mine have always been little piggies so we have never worried and I don't serve junk ever.