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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

Original poster

BLW being percieved as stubbornness??

13 replies

littlelamb · 18/03/2009 09:25

I just wondered if this is a normal reaction from other people when they see your BLW baby. My ds is 9 mo and has really only been interested in food for about 6 or so weeks. But boy has he got the hang of it He will not tolerate being spoon fed at all, he is quite clear that he wants to feed himself, and I am fine with that. But other people have commented that I am 'letting him get his own way' and that I should make him behave and take a spoon. I don't really know what to do? I am happy for him to carry on as he is, he is doing fantastically well, yes it does get messy but it's nothing a good clean won't sort out. Is it really a problem? The two people who have made remarks seem to think I am settign him up for a lack of discipline by not sitting still and opening his mouth obediently with every spoonful

OP posts:
Habbibu · 18/03/2009 09:29

Tell them that by the time he gets to the age where he has maths homework to do, you'll have seen the light and will do it all for him.

And point out that you get to eat a hot meal at the same time as he eats, so it's a win-win situation.

ThingOne · 18/03/2009 09:30

Ignore 'em!

spicemonster · 18/03/2009 09:31

Why would you encourage your child to sit there passively? Surely feeding yourself is the first step towards picking up your socks and putting them in the laundry basket? I'm hoping anyway

Original poster
littlelamb · 18/03/2009 09:31

habbibu. I have to say the eating a meal while its hot thing is a big selling point for me! It's not a problem really is it? Ds is a stubborn strong willed little thing anyway so I think blw probably suits his temperament

OP posts:
robino · 18/03/2009 09:31

DD was BLW and refused to be spoonfed - is now 2 and eats beautifully with a spoon or fork (when she wants to!)

wastingmyeducation · 18/03/2009 09:41

Being spoonfed isn't a skill one needs long-term though. Whereas self-feeding is rather important.

They just aren't thinking logically. Rather trying to justify their own choices in the face of perceived criticism.

rempy · 18/03/2009 09:45

He is enjoying his food. That is what is important. His relationship with food is being forged now. Food should not be about discipline. THAT sets people up for issues later in life.

Smile and nod.

He will be trying to eat with a spoon himself in a couple of months time anyway. Then you can be smug that your baby feeds itself nicely when the others are all shovelling stuff in still.

lollipopmother · 18/03/2009 17:40

Maybe you could stick two fingers up at them all by loading a spoon for him and letting him feed himself, there's no way they can turn their nose up at that!

pigleychez · 18/03/2009 17:56

Ignore them!

Are theses comments from people from the older genertio by any chance??

My mum is a prime one for this. She really cant get her head around BLW at all. Apparently im spoiling DD and letting her get her own way. Things im letting her have too much control.

DD is 7mths and still at bit hit and miss with mealtimes so mum thinks shes a very picky eater and not sleeping through yet cause shes not on 3 meals a day.
My mum is still in the old school train of thought of filling them to the brim with food and keeping locked in a playpen once they start crawling.
Im sure my mum would be trying to forcefeed her a jar the moment by back was turned!

HecatesTwopenceworth · 18/03/2009 17:57

surely half the FUN is seeing them shove it all over their faces?

PortAndLemon · 18/03/2009 18:06

You could say something like "I want him to feed himself. Are you suggesting I should get him to accept being spoonfed, even though I don't want to spoonfeed him, just so that I can triumph in some mythical battle of wills?"

You know that if you spoonded him, in a year these same people would be tutting over how he's still spoonfed and you should stop 'letting him get his own way' and make him feed himself, don't you?

Original poster
littlelamb · 18/03/2009 18:30

pigleychez, how did you guess the comments were from 'older' people I started to think about it this morning as we went out and had lunch at Giraffe yesterday, ds had a plate of mashed potato and absolutely lapped it up. The staff had no problem with it, I did apologise several times for the mess on the floor but they weren't busy and said it was nice to see (picture of him is on my profile, I did take one of the state of the floor as well!) One older couple sat a few tables awy did remark that I shouln't let him make such a mess. Would they prefer him to have a massive strop because I am trying to make him eat in the way they think I should?! It really wasn't that bad and it wasn't as if he was flinging it at them (will have to teach him a little something about aim ) Thats strangers though so it doesn't really bother me but I have had a few comments from friends and family too. I think I will just choose to ignore so thanks for all the advice

OP posts:
PortAndLemon · 18/03/2009 20:01

A good BLW option at Giraffe is their side dish of broccoli and beans (although you do need to ask them to overcook it a bit as it normally arrived just a little bit too crisp for baby teeth and gums).

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