Quick BLW question

[MrsHappy]

DD is 5 months old, so a bit early for weaning. She is sitting up and can grab things (albeit a bit clumsily) and is pretty interested in food (trying to swoop her mouth onto spoons aimed at other babies across the table when we're out for lunch, for example).

I was reading a bit about BLW and the premise seems to be that when a baby is old enough to get food into her mouth under her own steam, that is when she is old enough for solids. It is "usually around" 6 months - but I guess this also means that for some babies it will be a little earlier and for others a bit later?

So, I plan on sitting DD on my lap when DD1 has lunch, having a plate of baby friendly food in front of me for my lunch in case DD2 glabs/lunges and letting her pick when she's ready to join in. Does that sound sensible, or should I keep her away from the hard stuff until she's 6 months??

As an aside, today I have been told off for "denying her baby rice. She might like it." Ho hum.

my dd started (i want to say chewing but she only had 2 teeth!) sucking fruit at 5months. i would say let your dd.

my dd hated baby rice and has never eaten any baby food!

Thanks Debka.

I do wonder who these babies are who "love baby rice" (according to the same person). surely they are just tolerating it until something tastier comes along?

5 months is a tiny bit early. If you did decide to go for it then consider limiting what you have on offer initially. e.g. avoid bread/gluten containing foods.

fwiw dd2 had baby food once in her life. she was rather and startled. (we were on holiday when she was 9 months old and we were given a free jar) We had "denied" her baby food up to this point lol.

Oh, I know it's early and she would have the chance to get her mitts on some fruit or veg, basically.
I don't really expect her to pick anything up for the first couple of weeks tbh, it just struck me as a more natural way to start maybe than to present her with her own meal out of the blue one day!

dd2 started at 5 1/2 months iirc. She didn't actually eat anything until 6 months, the first 2-3 weeks were practising only. She poked the odd bit of steamed broccoli or carrot in the vague direction of her head/face.

I think my DD was experimenting with food at this age, mostly picking it up and chewing at it but not a lot of actual eating going on. I'd say your idea seems fine to me.
My baby loved baby rice for about 2 days....

If she doesn't want it, she'll spit it out. I'd just stay away from gluten.

i was wrestling food out of DD's grip for a few weeks, then started letting her at about 25 weeks.

Baby rice is 'orrible. We started BLW at five and a half months for the same reasons as you. It's good to get them used to the high chair from the beginning....for the sake of your clothes.....it's very very messy at the beginning. It's fabulous though and I've loveed the food adventures we've had together. My eight month old eats three big meals a day with lots of snacks.
steamed/roast veggie sticks are a good place to start so early.Enjoy!!! You'll be surprised how quickly everyone comes round once they see your six month old wolfing broccoli and asparagus!