I can't physically bear the mess with weaning

[thequietone]

I didn't leave the room, because obviously that's very unsafe when finger foods are being used, but my god, I just can't bear weaning. I was bad with DS1, and this time it's worse with DS2. We fight to hold the puree bowl as I can't stand the thought of his hands in the food, and when he started on the toast fingers...that was when I had to look away from the scraps EVERYWHERE.

Does anyone else have this problem? I'd really love some input from someone the same, or some support and advice on good finger foods for him (7 3/4 months).

I can't recall how long this stage goes on for. I have pictures of DS1 happily munching in a restaurant for his 1st birthday, so maybe it's only 4 months to go.

I can't remember how long it went on either, I'm afraid - but I do recall that it ended sooner with No's 2 and 3 than with No1 - I guess they learned by observing the older one/s.

I still remember, though, how difficult it was to get weetabix off things once it had dried - and it got into every single crevice of the highchair. It's so unmoveable once dried, I'm surprised it isn't used as a building material!

Have you experienced a 'Weetabix sneeze' yet? That's when your dc has a mouthful of weetabix (it does work with other foods, but is especially effective with weetabix), and gives a huge sneeze. You and the entire room end up pebbledashed in weetabix.

This too will pass, and ds2 will be just as great as ds1.

Good finger foods - not too sure about that (honestly can't remember - sorry), but it I found it was definitely worth making sure that purees/mushed food was quite sticky so it stuck well to the spoon - fewer drips/splats etc.

get silicone scoop bibs and a splash mat

i must admit the mess factor is leading me away from my blw intentions.... its bad enough even with the spoon, bibs, mats etc

Cor, I think you just have to submit to the mess. It is draining though, cleaning 3 times a day. Is there anything you can do to make yourself a bit less anxious - i.e. bigger bib, different easier-to-clean highchair (some swear by the ikea antilop for this reason), a big mat/load of newspaper on the floor to make the mess underneath the highchair easier to cope with?

We have done baby-led weaning so I don't know what it's like clearing up after purees - perhaps finger food is easier as it's still mushy and cold and slimy but at least it's mostly pick-up-able?

Also I find having one meal away from the normal highchair helps - go and have a hot chocolate in john lewis and take his meal with you, then you can do a quick-clear-up but it's not in your house? I find having at least 1 meal out of 3 elsewhere helps me keep sane.

Its important not to stress it with the mess, just keep repeating "its just a phase".

If it helps, my DS loves sticking his hands in too (8mo). I'm now training him out of the habbit. I give him his own spoon and let him put the spoon in the bowl and I bang the bowl on the spoon to let him know this is OK (and he now puts it in the bowl and moves all the food around with a big grin on his face) but if he goes to put his hand in or "accidentally drops the spoon in and has to retrieve it" then the bowl disappears (I pull it away), give him his spoon again and repeat ad nauseum. He seems to be getting the message.

Afraid no advice about the rest of the mess, I don't have to worry about the walls or the floor - I have a dog!!!!

Newspaper on the floor and taking their shirt off while they eat takes the pain away.

I don't want to offend anyone here, but the OP did sound a bit as if it was a real problem, her not being able to cope with the mess. My closest friend is practically phobic (no, scrub that: she IS phobic) about food being flung about (picture the sort of food fights in panto or children's tv). I went to a panto with her a few years ago and actually saw her grow pale during the obligatory 'messy kitchen' scene. Some people just can't cope with foody mess - it's not at all unusual.

If I'm barking up the wrong tree here (or just barking!) please ignore, and honestly am not trying to insult you, but if it's verging on a OCD thing, there are many things you can do to lessen the impact, perhaps starting with a chat with your GP.

Aside from that, I'd second the people who suggested finger foods, which your DS will really enjoy getting into. Mine loves cheese tortillas, where I put grated cheese and thin slices of tomato (and maybe some pesto) in a tortilla wrap, fold over and grill, then cool and slice into strips. It's easily the least messy thing I've given him, and very easy to clear up after. And he loves it. Obviously you can't give him that every day, but it's a nice painfree option!

I suspect the longer they use their hands to feed themselves, the tidier they get, in any case.

(DS is self-feeding and yes, it is bloody exhausting sometimes, cleaning up three times a day.)

a piece of lino under the highchair makes it much easier to clean.

We have pet rats and I turn them loose on the highchair after each meal.

(I wish I weren't joking, but think pet dogs are a lot more efficientd if you want to go down the pet-as-cleaner route).

Weetabix is just so revolting (imho), I refuse to touch it myself, wouldn't dream of feeding it to a baby!

We bought some really unattractive cheap bath sheets that we use as cover-ups for BLW then just chuck in laundry when covered in mess - easier than cleaning up floor or muckmat.
There is a make of bib called the Crumb Chum that covers virtually head to toe (mum-designed I believe).