Is anyone else NOT enjoying baby led weaning?

[bubbleymummy]

I'm just getting really tired of all the mess and stained clothes and waste of food. DS2 (9months) just plays with it and ocasionally a bit finds its way to his mouth but I would much rather give him toys to play with at the table rather than have him throw food all over the floor. I've actually given him loaded spoons and (when he's not catapaulting food around the room) he seems to eat a bit more this way. Just feeling a bit disillusioned I guess - I thought it was supposed to be easier this way!

well, it is messier
no need for stained clothes though, just use big long sleeved bibs surely?

and offer small amounts at a time so not too much goes on the floor.
have a big clean mat under the highchair and pick it up and re-offer! that's what I did anyway

It's not compulsory and will do you child no harm if you give it up or do it much less! One thing I have learned as a parent is that you can only be yourself. If you hate something and it is stressful every day, then don't do it - there is no harm in feeding another way. IMO it's not something you need to agonise over. The baby will develop completely normally and well, whether you let the baby have a go at stuff or whether you spoon feed for a bit.

Hi Bubble
If it is really getting you down would you not consider doing both BLW and spoon feeding?

I did this with DD (a few yrs back). I found giving "cleaner" finger food was brilliant (like toast, cheese, plainish pasta, vegetables, fruit etc) but for messier foods (for example, yoghurt,saucy stews and so on) that she really liked, I would spoon feed her (w/her holding a spoon as well). I was already clearing up mess from DS1 (2 at the time) and just couldn't bear more mess from her. It worked well and I felt it what the best of both worlds.

IMO it doesn't have to be purely one method or another.

I plan on doing the same with DS2 who is 6 months in a week and half. Well, once he actually shows interest in food that is.

Good luck.

Hiya - I know this is a little late in the day as this was posted a while back, but would like to put me bit in so to speak :D

I was NOT enjoying BLW at all, and it's not like you want to have control over your child completely, but if you feel that it's not for you then you don't have to do it. As mum's we give ourselves so much pressure, and lets face it, we have enough to be coping with without the added stress.

Babies pick up on the fact that we are not happy, and if you are not when you are doing this then don't do it.

I am doing mainly spoon feeding, it has taken me a while to get there, but I am starting to see some real progress.

I agree that you can always try BLW with some fairly clean finger foods. As the get older and have far more control (hand to mouth) you might be able to do a bit more, but it is not essential!

It's good for bubs to get used to textures but I think that they can do this with toys! I want our DS to be able to distinguish between meal time and play time, and food is not a toy, so yes, I am mainly doing spoon feeding, and with the items that don't have to be on a spoon, I am still feeding to him, as he gets older, he can do it a bit more.

It is a personal preference and no way is the right or wrong way, so go wih how you want to do it, as I always say to myself (when stressing when comparing myself to other mums and how they do it!) we are here to guide our little ones, and you do that the way YOU feel is best for you and them!