HELP!! BLW

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DD (my 3rd DC - other 2 had purees) is now 6m and I'd love to use BLW for her, she loves her milk (now FF) and really is uninterested in any food, I sit her in a bumbo with a tray (not sitting yet) and given lots of bits and pieces for her to try, but she's much more intereted in sucking her fingers (she does this all the time, rather than dummy I suppose) and isn't even that bothered in touching her food, never mind putting it to her mouth - though we've had a few licks.

I'm under a lot of pressure from DH and family to 'just give her purees' and have tried a bit of porridge, but again, shes' not interested and either refuses to open her mouth or just blows rasperberries to get it out.

How do I go forward with BLW, do I just continue putting things i front of her until she shows more interest -how long would this usually take? SHould I stop the porridge and leave it to her? Is there anything I can do to encourage her to pay more interest to her food?

She's still drinking her milk well, is a good healthy weight and i'm in no way concerned by that.

Any help would be much appreciated!!

Is she picking up things in general (toys etc) and putting them in her mouth

The whole point of BLW is that it's baby led and ensures the baby eats when she's developmentally ready - so the indication is that your DD isn't quite ready. I would say just keep doing what you're doing (making the food available to her, and having her sit and eat with you when you do) and trust that she will eat when she's ready - it is hard though!

I BLWd DS2 who is now 12 months. DH was sceptical when we started as like your DD, he wasn't hugely interested to start with.But we did what you suggested and just put things in front of him and within 2-3 weeks he was beginning to eat a bit. Within 6 weeks he was troughing everything! But every baby goes at their own pace so if your DD takes 3 or 4 months, don't worry. As Stealth said, the whole point is that its baby leading the way when they are ready.

I would recommend BLW as DS2 is a fantastic eater now, and its lovely when we all eat together as a family rather than one of us having to spoon feed whilst everyone else eats, so stick to your guns, its so worth it!My DH is now an absolute convert too!

Stealth - she eats her dress, rugs, pretty much aything close to her, but doesn't really pick up toys and things yet. She only seems bothered by her fingers.

She als doesn't seem to keen on the bumbo - much rather lay on her mat or in her chair!

I shall continue offering her bits.

Is she joining you at mealtimes, or are you offering her food seperately? Much better to offer her food when you're eating too so she can copy what you're doing (if you're not doing this already).

Agree it sounds like she's probably not quite ready if she's not keen on sitting up or picking things up. Keep offering her food and she'll let you know when she's ready.

I agree with all the others - it doesn't sound like she's ready yet. My DS started picking food up immediately, but it took a good couple of months to go from playing to actually eating anything much. Everyone was quite supportive, but even when I tried purees DS was adamant he wouldn't eat them, so I just kept going.

It makes quite a big difference, I think, eating altogether, where you don't notice so much what they're eating or what food is wasted, as you can just give them bits from your plate.

Like other, I'd suggest you wait. DD went from the level of disinterest you describe to ravenously demanding food so suddenly, and took to BLW as soon as she wanted to eat...

Thanks everyone, I will persevere and leave it to her to decide when she's ready