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Weaning

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

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Original poster

Equipment for BLW?

14 replies

AngelDog · 29/05/2010 08:40

I'm hoping to start BLW with DS but would appreciate suggestions as to what I need. We're getting the ANTILOP highchair and we have a wipe clean mat to go on the floor underneath it. I'm also going to have a look at bibs from the recommendations on the thread here.

I have a Doidy cup - is it worth getting a cup with a spout? This would be more for DS to practise playing with at the start as I'm still breastfeeding.

At some point I presume I'll need a bowl for when he is co-ordinated to dunk things into dips / yoghurt etc. Any suggestions?

Anything else I might need?

TIA.

OP posts:

foxytocin · 29/05/2010 08:55

I thought that another point of BLW is to rid of the clutter too. no one really needs the clutter.

put the food on the highchair tray

and let them get on with it.

the only cup i used is the cheapest tommee tippee cups with spout and small plastic bowls from Ikea which comes in a pack of plastic cups plates bowls and cutlery.

even the high chair went and dd did most of her eating on my lap at the table.

TheHouseofMirth · 29/05/2010 09:11

Part of the joy of BLW is that you don't need a battery of special equipment but there are a few things you'll need

I rejected the Antilop in favour of a highchair with a footrest as I wouldn't want to eat with my feet dangling in space but appreciate that could just be me! However, if that's not a consideration then I think it's a great high chair and very easily carried into the garden for lunch al fresco (which has the added benefit of minimal clearing up afterwards!)

You'll need a lidded cup for out and about. The Tommy Tippee ones are fine though DS2 went straight to cups with a straws and sports caps but then he has a big brother to copy!

If you're off to Ikea then I'd get a pack of their plastic plates and bowls - you'll need a few as lunch is sure to become a social event with mum and baby friends soon. Initially, I used to just put DS's food straight on to the table though as he'd just tip it straight on the table from his plate/bowl anyway!

If your child is anything like mine, and your kitchen floor is as questionably hygenic, you'll also need about 20 spoons. It took DS2 a while to grap the concept that spoons were re-usable so he used to throw the spoon on the floor after each mouthful. DS2 was also able to feed himself with a fork from about 12 months. I never would have given a metal fork to DS1 so early but from about 9 months DS2 was furious he was the only one at the table without one so I gave in and it seems to have paid off!

Little tupperware style tubs for snacks when you're out and about are also useful.

jemjabella · 29/05/2010 09:22

We have the highchair and that's it. Not bothering with bowls etc for a few months, don't see the point. Desperately need to get a wipe clean mat/sheet for underneath though... I can't be doing with mopping the kitchen floor every day!

Original poster

AngelDog · 29/05/2010 10:55

Sounds like all I might need to get is a lidded cup for out & about, then.

It's just occurred to me that we have an old plastic picnic set which will do for plates / bowls, someone gave us loads of plastic spoons which I'm sure DS will enjoy throwing on the floor playing with, and I am the tupperware queen so that's sorted. (DH will be very relieved if I tell him we don't need to buy any more plastic pots! )

Thanks for the suggestions.

OP posts:

MrsJamin · 29/05/2010 13:03

Lots of flannels!

Original poster

AngelDog · 29/05/2010 14:30

OP posts:

babybouncer · 31/05/2010 20:04

A shower curtain for the floor and a spare in the car for visiting friends. My DS also likes stabbing at food and trying to eat it from plastic spoons.

BertieBotts · 31/05/2010 20:15

You don't really need anything, but what I found useful was a few of the tommee tippee lidded cups (can use them without the lid at home if you want to) and a couple of sets of toddler cutlery - the tommee tippee ones are a good size, and the fork is not too sharp. You can then spear soft foods onto the fork and they eat them off it like a lollipop. At 20 months now DS much prefers eating with a fork. Boots also do a set of angled fork and spoon which are supposed to be good for self feeding but they looked quite big to me for a little baby, and by the time I felt DS was big enough to use them he was used to using a straight fork, so it seemed pointless.

Longtalljosie · 04/06/2010 23:27

Second the flannels...

I find it easier just to have a stash of old tablecloths for catching flying food - they just go in the wash after being shaken out.

The other thing I use a lot is my steamer. I had it anyway but it's invaluable for BLW. Good luck - can highly recommend broccoli as a first food. Comes with a useful handle and for some reason comes out of the saucepan lukewarm!

D0G · 04/06/2010 23:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Sonilaa · 05/06/2010 09:15

we ditched the wipe clean cloth bacause we found it much easier to just mop the floor directly.
bibs with sleeves are great. + maybe a couple of baby spoons.
I also have a tommy tippee bowl with suction.
dd has only started but ds was a messy spoon fed baby

Coldcuppacoffee · 06/06/2010 22:07

Just to add...

Def buy lots of cloths ( I bought microfibre cloths from a poundshop).

Microwave steamer has been great. We cook our food and then extra steam his.

Small tupperware box. In the early stages LO can't always eat what you eat so good to have a stash of cucumber sticks/ breadsticks/ piece of fruit. This can also be useful when you are out and food is a little slow coming.

We double bib our LO with a plastic long sleve and a pelican bib too. But get lots of cheap trousers. Food falls everywhere and no bib will completely cover everything!

Good luck and have fun!

lovely74 · 06/06/2010 22:23

we feed our in just his nappy in the evening then he gets carried into the bath. In the day I use the Ikea long sleeved bibs but he still gets filthy!
Any kind of plate / bowl becomes a item of desire so we don't bother with those...
When we give sloppy food I have 3 spoons on the go, two for each hand, one of which he'll drop when the third is offered, then the cycle starts again...
Clothes will get ruined - dress in cheap stuff at meal times
I have antibac wipes for high chairs in cafes, and use an old cleaned portable changing mat to put under these so I can hand back food chucked to the floor, and shake it out at the end of a meal.
Some genius on MN suggested a window wiper (mine was 70p from Wilco's) to help clear up food from the splash mat at the end - works brilliantly!
Embrace the mess and enjoy!!!

Original poster

AngelDog · 10/06/2010 17:09

Thanks for all the tips. Can't wait to get going now!

OP posts:

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