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EAT => Feeding Solid Food => Topic started by: Buntybear on January 18, 2012, 19:34:07 pm

Title: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Buntybear on January 18, 2012, 19:34:07 pm
Continued from;

http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=219175.435

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Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 18, 2012, 20:16:54 pm
Most of it goes down... some days more than others... Sometimes the bib catches it! But often it will mostly go down- hard to judge!! hmm... so i have a greedy guts on my hands... well I can tell i'll have to be careful about his intake as he grows up... 'healthy lunches' are on the cards!

I did some googling around- i was going to say honey in cooking is fine but apparrently no! http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/infantbotulismhoney.htm The botulism and the toxins aren't killed under normal household heating.. so best avoid it. It depends on how particular you want to be... it's apparently very rare, and would be rarer in cooked goods i'd say... but i'm a pretty careful person (i followed EVERY guideline on foods not to eat while pregnant) so i'll avoid it... the odds would probably be on your side though...

This is the fishcake recipe- http://mamacook.blogspot.com/2011/06/salmon-and-spinach-fishcakes-for-babies.html  but the whole site is great! And she's always after suggestions and ill answer questions!  http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=223224.0 I'm a bit of a fan!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on January 18, 2012, 20:57:23 pm
Thanks Katy! For recipe and for honey question answer!  :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on January 19, 2012, 03:08:35 am
Interesting - I actually always assumed cooked honey would be okay, but never gave it to F as I just didn't see the need for her to have any form of sugar (apart from fruit). She has plenty of sweet, fruit-based treats!

She had her first taste of 'real' cake yesterday (on her birthday) - I had baked a sugar-free banana cake for her but friends brought round a big fat sugar-laden chocolate cake and I didn't want to disappoint them or make a big deal out of it....so she ate a piece of her cake first then had a few nibbles of my chocolate cake. There was much signing of more  :P

Katy, that sounds about what F was regularly eating by about 8 months - but she goes through phases, so sometimes now she'll have several days when she hardly eats anything, esp when she's teething. And then others when she just can't get enough! I think so long as it's always healthy food you're offering, they're pretty good at self-regulating how much they eat - at least until they figure out how to open the fridge and pantry themselves!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 19, 2012, 06:01:46 am
Yeah- i'm heavily limiting the sugar and salt (added) the salt is only in things like bread and weetbix- but i keep an eye on the sodium in those too (low salt weet bix!). Yay on the bithday cake! I think that it's probably miuch easier sometimes to just go with it rather than make a big fuss... a couple of nibbles once at a party is fine- but it's when it becomes a party every week, or several times a week that i'd be wary myself...

I also assumed the honey would be ok- but had in the back of my mind from working with dietitians in the past that there are some toxins where cooking doesn't kill it.. i think salmonella is another-- cooking kills the salmonella but not the toxin it produces... or something like that. So were that's mostly a goo fix it isn't always!

His majesty was very cranky this morning when we had no fruit to his liking! I grated some apple- but he picked it up as if to say 'what is this rubbish you are expecting me to eat?!?' Then had a good gnaw on the apple i was eating- I'm sure if he was signing yet he would have been signing 'mango' and 'watermelon' as fast as he could!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on January 19, 2012, 06:41:04 am
I'm sure if he was signing yet he would have been signing 'mango' and 'watermelon' as fast as he could!!

I know what you mean - when we went to NZ last month F kept signing mango after every meal for the first few days! But she got over it, and soon decided strawberries were a pretty good substitute.

BTW: can't believe you've had to give Hamish a proper haircut already. I don't think F will be needing one for another year or so...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 19, 2012, 09:21:30 am
He had this silly looking mohawk bit in the middle that wasn't going anywhere, and he looked like an old man with a combover! Looks much cooler now- we can even spike it!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on January 20, 2012, 19:03:41 pm
Katy, your LO sounds like mine - eating tonns!  We went to 3 meals per day after the first couple of days because DS complained constantly about wanting solids.  He eats and eats and eats.  And he's only a little slim guy :)
There are times of the day he eats more and times of the day he eats less, and there are certain foods he will eat stacks of and other foods he will turn his nose up at.  But basically he took to solids immediately and has loved every mouthful (apart from the mouth full of broccoli and the other mouth full of rice).
It's such a joy to have a LO eat like that eh?
Mums with LOs who are a little slower with their solids, don't stress, we've all heard it a million times before but it's true, food before one is just for fun, and they all develop different skills at their own pace.  My DS doesn't do half the stuff another LO his age might be doing but has a developed pallet and good self feeding skills.  That's just where he has focused his development.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 20, 2012, 20:54:57 pm
ha ha!! yes- no to the broccoli here to! He takes it, and moves it in an arc past his mouth and off the side of the high chair tray! And doesn't mind the rice but not sushi rice! Weird!

Oh can I recommend introducing your LO to a straw! As i said before i did with my guy- not at a cafe or restaraunt i ask for a water with a straw (I decided i didn't need to boil his water any more- mixed recommendations i know..) and he does the funniest little grabbing the straw and drinking!! It's like he;s a little man!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on January 20, 2012, 22:50:31 pm
Sophia loves broccoli!! Didn't get it from me cos I don't like it at all! Actually I don't think there's anything she doesn't like so far :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: snowbird on January 24, 2012, 23:02:23 pm
Ha - LJ loves broccoli too! She munches her way through whatever she's given!

Not been around much lately and head spinning from reading all these posts.  Going to reply to you all from the advice you gave me on my last post:

Katy - we're not there with reducing milk feeds yet.  I'm just going with the flow and assuming LJ will make the decision when to stop.  Actually, that said, we did finally get rid of the dream feed 2 weeks ago (we'd nearly cut it out before but then she's fell ill and we'd gone back to giving her a full bottle at 10-10.30pm!)

Rachel - totally understand your need for a plan.  I'm always 'trying' to think ahead. We're now doing food first for breakfast with milk straight after but not making any difference to how much of either LJ is having.

Becky - thanks! LJ's teething and has diarrhoea too so we're off the food at the mo.

Creations - yep, having to just pack lunches up etc if I'm out but just means I have to be super organised.  Admit that sometimes I don't go out just because I haven't been - lol!

Thank you everyone.  

Anyone had any probs with food 'throwing'.  LJ drops food on the floor.  We've noticed it seems to be more on purpose these days but not sure how we're going to deal with it. Think I would normally say no throwing and then if she did it again take her down from her highchair for a couple of minutes and put her back in it then to try again.  Issue as we're blw and she's only 9 months is that we don't want her crawling around on the floor tiles whilst we're eating as she could crack her head open if she falls.  Also, there's food all over the floor and she's covered in food and it could get oh so messy! It's already bad enough as it is.

We thought we could maybe take her out of highchair and sit her in her Mamas and Papas Babysnug (like a bumbo) so she's safe.  What do you do/think?

There's aways something, hey!?

xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on January 25, 2012, 00:08:47 am
Anyone had any probs with food 'throwing'.
I think they all go through food throwing or dropping, the purposeful stuff rather than the accidental drops.
In part it is physics experimentation, what happens when I drop this?  Oh!  Well what happens when I drop this?
But tbh I'd rather DS learnt those lessons mostly at PLAY and not at MEAL.

The first thing is to work out is this the sign of having finished eating?  If your LO has finished eating then the throwing starts, it's a pretty good communication of being full.  In this circumstance the ideal thing is to see the cue just before the food is thrown, say something like 'ok I see you're finished, let's clean up' (introduce a sign if you want which might encourage a sign to you to say finished rather than food throwing) and get LO's hands and face wiped asap and get her out of her chair and somewhere safe and not by the dropped food (or get the tray all wiped and offer a toy - this could work to keep her at the table longer).  Unfortunately this prob means hurrying your own meal.  But at this young age they can't really be expected to stay in the high chair until everyone is finished.

You might now, or later, find some of the throwing is not due to being full, that's a different issue.  Personally I'd offer LOTS of messy play so that there wasn't a need to do these experiments at meal time.

By about 9 months I had introduced a plate to DS.  Yep the food still got moved, dropped and pushed onto the tray, but much of it stayed on the plate too.  At the end of the meal, with his first move to drop over the side I ask 'have you finished? let's clear up' and I get everything onto his plate and remove it from the tray.  Now at 1yr he clears up himself.  He DOES still sometimes drop food to the floor, but for 1yr I am impressed with his table manners.  He puts any bits of food that have ended up on the tray back onto the plate, puts his fork on the plate and puts his sippy cup on the plate, then lifts the plate to hand to me (and I grab it FAST or the lot would go to the floor).
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: snowbird on January 25, 2012, 00:40:34 am
'Insert quote' is too technical for me today so will proceed without it lol...

We don't think it's a sigh of her having finished.  She's a bit slow with it all at the moment.  She'll eat a bit and then have a big gap and carry on eating etc, with dropping food in the middle.  She's got a mat on the table that her bowl/plate sticks to with suckers.  Another thing she does is pull at the bowl/plate to free it from the mat.  For about 2.5 months she's been doing this and the novelty's certainly not wearing off! Anyway, sometimes if I offer her something, i.e. pick it up, she will take it and continue to munch away.

We have introduced a sign for finished in the last few days but it's early stages of course.  Maybe we are leaving her in the highchair for too long!? We leave her there until we're sure she's finished.  We're normally done by then anyway.  But we can be there for a long time sometimes! Mmm!

Was your DS's plate loose? Did he not tip it up? That's what LJ does once she gets hold of it.  Writing this, maybe we're missing the sign and should cut the length of mealtimes down.

Sounds like your DS is doing a fab job! When did you introduce a fork? We're thinking of doing it now - just need to buy it! LJ looked like she was imitating us using a knife and fork with 2 sticks of cucumber the other day :)

Sorry for the live rambling! xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on January 25, 2012, 01:17:09 am
Oh I certainly know the feeling of wanting to make sure they've really finished, it has to be a natural instinct for every mother to want to see their child eat well.  I also go slow sometimes with the 'have you finished' part and sometimes he decides to have a bit more so it's confusing...
He can also start to clear up (and I help or hold the plate for him to put things on and I point to items and ask him to put them on the plate) and just as he is about to drop an item on the plate he suddenly changes his mind and pops it in his mouth!  It is NOT perfect in our house, only I think we have a certain level of communication and understanding going on and have found a way to reduce the throwing and make the end of the meal a positive aspect where he is congratulated for having nice table manners and thanked for helping clear up. (we don't sign here, I just follow his cues, a bit mad as I am qualified in BSL!)

In the BW book (I forget which one, toddlers perhaps) Tracy answers the problem of dropping/throwing food by saying don't expect your LO to stay at the table, take them down from the high chair the second they have finished.
Yes his plate is loose, sometimes he lifts it, naturally he wants to know what happens when it is moved, tilted, lifted.  It's never once gone to the floor though.  He does sometimes move faster than me and all the food ends up on the tray, it's rare, usually I can get a hand on it before that happens and just prevent him tipping it, I remove it to a safe distance and then offer one or two bits of food at a time onto his tray (or directly onto the table top depending where we are eating).  If he gets 'into' eating again I sometimes put the whole plate back in front of him.  It's the same with his cup though, sometimes he wants to drop that and I catch it and move it away, then re-offer later.  But if the cup goes to the floor I don't pick it up right away.  I don't want a drop/pick up game.

I introduced a fork early (6 months), but I must say it's pretty dangerous depending how your LO is with things, I don't think everyone would think it a good idea.  I couldn't find something suitable in the shops (baby forks too rounded to stab anything with, adult forks too sharp) so used a small plastic one that came with lunch box fruit.  Using a spoon is SO difficult, it's not only go to get to the mouth but it's got to be the right way up, that's why we moved to a fork, DS was really frustrated with some foods that were too slippery to get to his mouth as fast as he wanted to eat (melon, pasta etc). I was SO careful though.  He now (12 months) has a small metal fork, it's pretty sharp and again I wouldn't advise everyone to do it but he is very good with it.  For a long while he went off using a fork or spoon and refused loaded fork/spoons, now he is getting back into liking it and trying to stab food himself.

He also has an imaginary friend who sits on his chair next to him, we call him Ron.  And he sneaks food or pretend food down to Ron whilst he eats!  He used to end up with a little pile of food saved by his leg, and I joked he was 'saving it for Ron: LateR-on' (you know that bad joke).  So this wasn't dropping food but still a bit of a problem.  Really odd behaviour I thought, but eventually he stopped giving Ron real food and now just pretends to take something off the plate and sneak it down there! It's funny when he wants to give Ron a drink from the sippy though haha!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on January 25, 2012, 07:27:58 am
Oh, we know all about throwing here....

I've been wondering how to tackle this issue for a while. Sometimes I know it is because F is finished - if she's been eating well for a good while, and then starts to play, and then throw. She well knows the sign for all finished, and used to always use it at mealtimes, but now only occasionally does. So throwing can be a sign she's finished which I can usually just pre-empt or at least catch early on - I'll check, using the sign, and she'll sign back to me.

But often, it's not that - as you say, Creations, it's partly the wanting to see what happens. She's really into "transferring" atm - so pegs out of the peg basket and back into it, for example. She wants to do that with her food as well. She drops it deliberately, and then leeeaaaans over the side of her chair to try and get it back! So to counter this, we encourage her to put food into her pelican bib, and then onto the tray again. She has those options: food goes into the mouth, into the pelican, or down on the tray. We try and phrase it positively (ie, not 'don't drop food on the floor' but rather 'food goes into your mouth or into your pelican'). Giving her food in a bowl sometimes works too - she can transfer from bowl to tray and back. During the transferring process, she'll eat as well!  BUT she does tend to pick up bowls, plates etc and tip them over still. She has also been know to throw the whole bowl to the floor  ::) , not sure whether that too was just to see what happens.

Sometimes it's because she has too much food in front of her and can't deal with it all. Some has to go before she'll eat the rest.

And other times, I don't know what it is - boredom, perhaps? Or just to see what our reaction is? I'd love any suggestions for good, age-appropriate techniques to deal with this  :-\. I don't expect no throwing at all, I'm just not sure what my reaction should be when she throws food, or her cup, on the floor and I don't think it's because she's finished - ie, I think that given a little more time, she will want to eat more. Atm I tend to use positive statements (as above), remove tray if she's really throwing everything, or ignore if it's just the odd bit here or there. I certainly don't want to get into games of she throws, I pick up. And I don't want to give her a huge reaction every time either. But I'm not sure if she's old enough for the remove-from-table-at first-throw approach  :-\. I just don't think she can understand that consequence yk?

Creations, lol about Ron! F went through a phase when we said she 'squirreled' - we'd find a little stash of food deliberated tucked in beside her. I made the mistake of laughing the first time, and she did it delightedly for a while, but we've studiously ignored it since and luckily the novelty of that particular trick seems to have worn off.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on January 25, 2012, 08:17:13 am
Creations, lol about Ron! F went through a phase when we said she 'squirreled'
Interesting that other LOs do the same thing.  I wonder why?  In DS's case it wasn't that he didn't want the food or was trying to hide it, I suspect same for F?
Do you think it is a similar reason to when they put things (not when eating necessarily) to the back of their head and then drop them?  I don't know the reason for that either, speculating that it is something to do with figuring out where their head 'stops', ie the shape and size of their own body parts, esp those they can't see (like the back of the head).
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 25, 2012, 08:56:08 am
ha ha- so i can't look forward to any stop to the food dropping off the tray any time soon?!? ;P For us its more thathe's kind of finished- not interested at that point in time, and happier to bang it on the tray- till it falls on the floor! Then looks over like 'why is my watermelon on the floor?!?'
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on January 25, 2012, 11:40:48 am
Yeah, the squirreling wasn't really hiding, just seeing if the food would fit down there - and if she remembered it was there she might go back for it later. Also similar to the phase of being interested in squishing food into the grooves of her chair I suppose  ::)

Do you think it is a similar reason to when they put things (not when eating necessarily) to the back of their head and then drop them?  I don't know the reason for that either, speculating that it is something to do with figuring out where their head 'stops', ie the shape and size of their own body parts, esp those they can't see (like the back of the head).

Do all LOs do that?? It's so cute! F also used to love to put a long piece of wool/scarf etc behind her and see how far away from her body she could pull it (if that makes sense...) You're right, it would make sense that they're trying to explore their own parameters! Sorry, a little off topic, but interesting :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on January 25, 2012, 11:55:01 am
if she remembered it was there she might go back for it later
Yep, that's exactly why I started with the imaginary friend called Ron, 'are you saving that for Ron (lateron)' funny these kids eh?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on January 27, 2012, 23:02:41 pm
Ooh I missed the switchover to this thread.

Creations - I love the "ron" thing! :)

Papaya - my DD has kind of been squirrelling too, or picking things up, moving her arm behind her and dropping them. Katy - I take that as an "i'm done" thing too.

I think we've had a bit of a break through this past day or so with gagging. I'd kind of backed away from BLW because of all the vomiting we were getting following every gag!

However, since yesterday things seem much better. Purees / mashed food weren't a huge hit either, but she grabbed the spoon today and fed herself a fromage frais today (very messy, but did well with a bit of guidance) She ate far more than if I was feeding her, so I kind of realised that she does want to be in control and feed herself. So I chanced some different finger foods which would previously have had her gagging. She did amazingly well, barely any gagging, no vomiting and quite a lot eaten! Hooray!

I think we were on the right track with BLW in the first place, hopefully onwards and upwards from here. :)

Rach. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on January 27, 2012, 23:09:52 pm
Great news Rach.  Maybe her gag reflex was just too strong before and now it's easing up.  whatever the reason it's good to hear that she's enjoying some new experiences :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 28, 2012, 12:18:14 pm
Ok ladies, here are some pictures of Hamish and his food for anyone interested! They are of a typical dinner that i'll offer including a salmon pattie that i made from this website: http://mamacook.blogspot.com/2011/06/salmon-and-spinach-fishcakes-for-babies.html (I usually also offer some fruit) Hamish eating a favourite- watermelon, the day we decided yoghurt is a spoon food, and also to eat topless... And the one in the middle is demonstrating that some days everything hits the floor!!

Do you like my attempts at sexy food photography?!?

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 28, 2012, 12:20:42 pm
Oh- and the fork is for size comparison.. we don'tuse an adult fork... (or any...) and the plate is to add to the sexy photography look...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on January 28, 2012, 12:24:09 pm
Great photos Katy! Doesn't he just look delighted with himself!

I must get some melon, think that would be a hit here too. xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 28, 2012, 12:33:10 pm
Doesn't he just look delighted with himself!

Doesn't he just!! I usually offer the melon cut in half again from what's pictured... I was trying some cute photography.. thought a bigger piece would look more effective.. I also cut the top 2 cm or so off the wedge as i'm concerned that this will then break off and be a small piece for him to get stuck in his mouth.. just a tip!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: snowbird on January 29, 2012, 22:37:06 pm
Bless Hamish - he's loving it! I give LJ melon but spend time cutting into sticks.  Never thought of giving it to her like this!

I need to catch up with you all more often as there's now loads of posts.

Thanks ladies for all your help and advice.  After listening to your thoughts Creation, we've decided to cut meal times down and also not to stick the plate to the table.  It's all going well and we've had less food on the floor so - thank you!

Still umming and aching about the fork but will see.

xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 30, 2012, 01:51:58 am
The fork sounded like a great ide- I cant remember who said it.. was easier than a spoon as the stuff doesn't fall off... not for us yet though! But later.... And snowbird- the watermelon is great like that- again, i cut it in half from that (They sell 1/4 cut melons at the shop) acd cut the tip off- the tip is a very small piece if it comes off- that way you get to taste the yummy melon too!

Oh- and the salmon pattie is frozen... not mouldy...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on January 30, 2012, 08:06:40 am
Katy - love the pics!!  ;D

Is it normal for 8 months old to still be getting gas from things like broccoli? Every time I give Sophia broccoli or cauliflower she wakes up crying at night with what I imagine is gas. Even if I give them for lunch!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 30, 2012, 08:30:17 am
Wouldn't be surprised- Hamish won't even let broccoli INTO his mouth!! so we have no experience here!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on January 30, 2012, 08:47:23 am
Certainly not unheard of, although most babies are fine with it by this stage - is she very mobile yet? Trapped gas can be more problematic for babies who aren't crawling as there aren't as many opportunities for them to get it out!

There is a theory that eating small amounts of a gassy food regularly will help the body to learn to process it more efficiently, until it doesn't cause any problems (hence why people who eat beans or lentils regularly don't find that they cause gas, whereas if you're not used to them.... :P) So you could try giving a tiny amount every few days. OR, just hold off on it for another month or two until her digestive system is a bit more developed and try again then :)

(FWIW: F loves loves loves broccoli and always has - I'm glad as she's MPI and it's a good source of calcium!)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on January 30, 2012, 08:50:23 am
She wiggles about on her tummy but not quite crawling yet. I was wondering if probiotics might help her cope with them better. I seem to run out of ideas for veg  :-\
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on January 30, 2012, 08:52:15 am
I've heard that cooking them with a bit of ginger can help with digestion too!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 30, 2012, 09:05:24 am
I;ve been hiding a lot of veg in meatbals etc- put a fair bit of grated broccoli in some i did the other day, and some zucchini...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on January 30, 2012, 09:48:38 am
She will eat vegetables without hiding them... its more that some of them seem to give her gas. Will go to the greengrocer to get some ideas
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on January 30, 2012, 09:57:27 am
That's interesting about the crawling and gas (am now imagining a baby being jet propelled by gas...!)

I've ordered the Annabel Karmel book of finger foods as I'm getting stuck for ideas of things to give Sofia (she is all about taste - so a steamed vegetable stick is of limited interest. She will take it, but loses interest pretty quickly!) I had a look at the book at a friend's house this weekend and there looked like some really good recipes (pancakes, patties, rissoles etc) so am excited to get some inspiration...

R. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 30, 2012, 11:43:34 am
did you see this website rachel? (god.. i think i'm harping on a bit... i'm just getting most of my meals from it!!)

http://mamacook.blogspot.com/

THe annabel Karmel book is good from what i've seen too (in the shops)- I really like the rissoles and patties they break up easily and i don't have to worry about him choking at all- and they freeze well- so you can stock up! I have to make some pancakes too- might be nice for breakfast, altough he loves that weetbix! (Do you guys have weetbix over there?)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on January 30, 2012, 11:45:44 am
Hamish won't even let broccoli INTO his mouth!
Same here!  No broccoli, no cauli, no potato (unless it's a chip which is a rare thing here).  These days no carrot or sweet pot either which he used to eat by the plate full.  Since his stay in hospital back in Nov he went right off veg and he's slowly getting back to it.

There's some good recipes in the finger food, BLW and toddler recipe threads too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 30, 2012, 11:49:26 am
Can you remind me what the hospitalisation was for? Good that he's getting back to it!! Hamish does like potato... so far!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on January 30, 2012, 12:09:39 pm
He had a virus (like bronchiolitis but tested negative for that), 'just' a cold really!  But he stopped eating, almost no milk or water either, really struggled to breathe.  He was in 4 days, really scary.  On oxygen the whole time, nebulizers, steroids and inhalers.  He wouldn't even look at food for a few days, and it was an ccumplishment to get an oz of water or milk in, at one point they threatened to tube feed, then one day he held a piece of fruit but didn't eat it.  I think on his last day he ate some mixed veg...could be saying something about hospital food here (or more realistically he associates the experience of being ill with that food) as although he ate it he's not wanted veg since!  Hi nappies were gross for a good while too.  He was a very very poorly boy :(
He was ill for several weeks following, ate like a new born, milk every hour or so plus lots of NW for milk and almost no solid food.  Took until about xmas to get back on solids properly.  It was great to see him tuck into his xmas dinner :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on January 30, 2012, 12:43:21 pm
Poor little boy! That sounds horrible :(
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 30, 2012, 13:00:47 pm
Oh no!! Hugs! So glad he's on the mend!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on January 30, 2012, 23:26:37 pm
Hi ladies. I'm signing up. I haven't quite decided of I'm going to do blw just yet but we're planning to start Colby on solids soon.since he is nearing 6mo. He helped himself to the crust from DH's bacon sandwich this weekend and had a good sick on it. Was just a soggy mess by the end though, I don't think anything actually went in.

Hmm, I'm not sure what food to start with. What did you all start with?

Are you all doing pure blw? My ds1 cadan really like baby porridge and it is so full of nutrients I would kind of like colby to have some at some point. He's a way off feeding himself that though if I remember rightly.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 30, 2012, 23:34:13 pm
I did pure BLW- it starts slow at first but ith hamish after about 2 weeks he got right into it. He used the rest of the time to explore! Milk is the main food till 9 months or a year anyway! I started with bananna and pumpkin, as well as avocado. THese are my favourite websites:

http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/

http://www.babyledweaning.com/ - I don't use this one heaps, but it has a lot of the information about it. If you can get the book too it's relatively inexpensive and full of great info...

Doing a combination is also fine- but for us we went BLW all the way!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on January 30, 2012, 23:41:06 pm
Oh yes my sister has the book actually. I will borrow it and read up.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on January 31, 2012, 01:51:28 am
Hi Ali!

I never gave baby porridge as I didn't think fortified cereal was necessary either - but I did offer normal oats from very early on.
If you did want to give baby porridge I imagine you could use it in lots of ways other than spoon feeding, as I did with standard oats, eg:

I'm sure others will have more ideas!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 31, 2012, 09:07:09 am
I didn't give baby cereal at all- i gave meat fairly early on in the form of meatballs (easy to pack full of vegies) and Hamish now has weetbix every day that is fortified like lots of breakfast cereals out here with iron. I guess one thing that i thought about is that if you wait till 6 months they don't need bland flavours, so adding it to other things is probably more interesting... (not that i've actually tasted it... it could be really tasty!)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on January 31, 2012, 11:29:29 am
Just had to upload this pic of Sofia and "her" spoon. She loves yoghurt and is enjoying feeding it to herself, I just load it up and off she goes...!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on January 31, 2012, 11:34:25 am
YAY!! Hamish loves yoghurt too- LOVES IT! She looks soo chilled!

Beckygatt- Were you asking about foods causing gas? Here's something on it: http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/news/2012/01/foods-that-may-cause-a-baby-to-have-gas/

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on January 31, 2012, 19:58:37 pm
Thanks Katy! Will check it out when I'm on my computer
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 01, 2012, 00:20:41 am
Welcome aboard Ali
I did pure BLW- it starts slow at first
I did pure BLW (my version ;) ) and there was nothing slow about it at all.  I was shocked and exhausted by having to provide three meals a day from basically day 1.

By 'my version' I mean, I didn't read the book, but did read a few things on websites, I also read the standard UK guides for traditional weaning that says to offer finger food from 6 months so I just thought what's the point in puree lets go straight to real food.  I didn't give him a regular adult meal to begin with though, instead I made baby friendly meals and I ate those with him.  Limiting to one or two food types in each meal really helped to not overwhelm (think Tracy's HELP - Limit) and when the meals developed I always cooked with him in mind, left big chunks in stew, no salt, that sort of thing.

I didn't start with cereal, we started because I had been either starving myself or eating in secret for about a month because the sight of me eating made DS cry.  Eventually I was in a tight squeeze at 5.5 months when in quick succession he had a meltdown because I dared to eat lunch (he had JUST had his bottle and had not drained it so he was 'full') and to stop the melt down I really had to offer food, a piece of melon that I held, he put his mouth to it (I did not put to his mouth, that was the difference), and another day after a very long time at the hospital when DS had eaten but my mum and I hadn't and were ravenous, we stopped for a pub lunch.  I tried to fob DS off with a piece of raw cabbage thinking he would feel included but knowing he wouldn't be able to eat it, but he started really fussing, a LOT. Public place, never took a paci, had already had his milk...ended up sucking on garlic bread.  I was still trying to keep food away from him at this point.  Then few days later we had a lunch appointment with Nana and an aunt, I knew there would be problems, didn't want to be stuck with only salty cafe food to offer so baked some potato wedges and apple wedges.
He ate them all, then fed himself quarter spoon of icecream on a loaded spoon.
After that he asked for food constantly and we were on three meals.

For a couple of weeks I did give porridge or readybrek on loaded spoons, he was great with it but eventually he rejected the spoon and instead I made it thick and just dolloped a mountain of the stuff in front of him but after a while he wouldn't eat mush with his hands - too messy.
I now make muesli balls with baby muesli (it's from 10 months but I started at about 7 months) and just a splash of milk, rolled into mouth size balls so he can eat as finger food.  You can also make these with baby porridge (I do for a change around).  Just experiment with the amount of milk, it's a really small amount, leave to stand a couple mins to thicken then roll into balls.  I really like that the baby cereal has such a mix of grains and added goodies in it, which I don't think any other cereal offers.

There are also muffins and cookies you can make with baby muesli to turn it into finger food.
But, you might be surprised by him using a spoon at 6 months, dS was great for a good while before he rejected it.  The rejection was because the food wasn't getting in his belly fast enough.  I'm sure many other babies have more patience!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: katie80 on February 01, 2012, 04:51:38 am
Hi Ladies

Been meaning to rejoin this thread. I've gone back and forth on BLW, purees, combo, etc and still don't really know what we're going to do. DS is a big baby and seems pretty hungry so I thought purees might be the way to go, but they kind of stress me out and I end up feeling like I'm force-feeding, which is really no fun at all. So... would you be so kind as to hold my hand in BLW?

I've tried giving him half a banana and he was really excited to pick it up and suck on it. But, eventually he gets a chunk off (has two bottom teeth) and then breaks the half in half. At this point, the pieces are too small for him to pick up and get back to his mouth. Any suggestions? Is the banana I'm feeding him too ripe?

Katy - I noticed you mentioned avocado was one of your first foods. How did you prepare/cut it? I've given mashed avocado and he does seem to like it. I thought about spreading some on a piece of toast. What are Wheetbix, like shredded wheat?

I'm thinking of trying carrot sticks and apple slices this week. How long do I steam them for? Do you leave the skin on the apples?

He's off any solids right now as he's sick, but I think I'm going to give BLW a more wholehearted effort once he's better. Thanks for indulging all my questions!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 01, 2012, 06:44:58 am
http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/79730/79730,1299462375,1/stock-photo-iconic-australian-breakfast-cereal-weet-bix-served-in-a-bowl-72784492.jpg Probably like shredded wheat... i put some milk on them so they are pretty soggy and then he eats it with his hands. I only give him one and some fruit and some yoghurt for breakfast- but i;m sure he'd eat 2 if i let him!!

I either cut it into wedges- he kind of squished it up... or mashed it into some cooked brown rice- he likeed that (He doesn't now... too sophisticated to scoop up rice with his hands i think!) these days i'll spread it onto toast. I waited till 7 months or so for wheat... no real reason... i guess wheat is such a HUGE part of our diet i sort of thought another month or so without it would be good!

I would take the skin off the apples... but i leave the skin on a lot of other softer fruits- like watermelon, kiwifruit, peaches... it helps him to hold them..

I find bananna is tricky.. you could cut it in half for him and roll it in something like rice cereal as creations suggests... or other grainy stuff? or you could offer it to him with some skin on it... Like this! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hNMh6jS_rGk/SRXEKXOyZgI/AAAAAAAAAqc/MCl8rWs3lRc/s200/BLW+004.jpg I can't believe i found a picture of it!!

Oh- and mum discovered today that you have to keep your lunch well away from hamish unless he's actively eating!! He thinks it's ALL HIS!! BEtter go and feed his majesty!! toast and avocado tonight!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 01, 2012, 06:50:36 am
Welcome (back) Katie!

Is your LO frustrated by the banana breaking? You could try a slightly less ripe one (just be aware the less ripe, the more likely to cause constipation, if that's an issue for him)...or just let him push it around and practise his pincer grip and general co-ordination :)  My LO's pincer grip improved amazingly fast - like within a week of starting BLW, she could pick up things that were definitely too difficult for her the week before. Banana is tricky at the start because it's so slippery, but it won't be long before he's a pro! Remember, it doesn't really matter how much he actually eats at this early stage, it's all learning.

Re carrot sticks and apple - you want to steam them until they just hold their shape when picked up (ie, they don't fall apart), but you can mush them against the roof of your mouth. Just trial and error as to how long that takes I suppose! I would do a small bowl full of carrot sticks in the microwave for 2 minutes and then test to see if they're done. You can leave the skin on the apple if you want, it generally makes it easier to pick up and your LO will probably be able to gnaw all the apple off it. Mine was always great at spitting the skin out if she took a bite of it - but it is something to watch for. Same for avocado, actually - if you cut a slice with the skin on, it's much less slippery and LO will soon figure out which bit to go for. My LO also loves avocado on toast - wish we could get it here!

And weetbix are a sort of biscuit/cake made from compressed wheat flakes - you generally eat them softened with milk.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weet-Bix

Posted at the same time as Katy



Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 01, 2012, 08:43:41 am
Also- if you didn't look over my posts- make sure if in doubt that you check the roof of their mouth if you are missing a skin- Hamish had a slice of kiwi fruit and the whole thing went in- i watched him as it worried me a bit... but then he was fine- only 15 minutes later after playing for a while i found it in his mouth!! It was all fine- but i count the skins now! (ANd i offer him larger pieces of kiwifruit...)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 01, 2012, 08:47:08 am
F had a piece of soapnut (for washing clothes!) in her mouth for about 20 mins once, just mulling over it...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 01, 2012, 16:42:45 pm
Thanks for the ideas.

I went to baby clinic today to get Colby weighed (17lb 13oz little chunker) and discussed starting solids with the HV. They gave me a leaflet on BLW and said that is actually the official way they recommend weaning to solids now for babies 6mo+. So that's interesting. I remember with Cadan when I started it (we did a mixture of purees/ cereals and finger foods in the end) they didn't really know about it. She said they only recommend purees/spoon feeding if people start early closer to 4mo.

We have weetabix here too with milk made into a porridge consistency but I find with Cadan it often comes out the other end looking much the same as it went in which is pretty gross in a nappy. Urgh!

I'm really excited to start now.  ;D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 01, 2012, 17:15:14 pm
They gave me a leaflet on BLW and said that is actually the official way they recommend weaning to solids now for babies 6mo+.
This is very interesting Ali as my HV was against BLW and told me to go on a weaning course.  I didn't much see the point but thought I'd go as it was a bit of a trip out with DS (all the kids played and there was creche staff in the room with us to mind them).  It was an 'official' trainer who basically just read us enlarged versions of the leaflets we had already been given (as though we couldn't read - maybe it was intended for the illiterate?), but prior to beginning reading she gave us a lecture on the dangers of BLW and told us it is dangerous, mustn't be done, it involves leaving LOs unattended to choke of great big lumps of food and giving pasta without sauce. Hmmm...something tells me she was a little ignorant to what BLW is.
I didn't exactly hold my tongue but I tried to be polite and respectful to her position as a paid professional.
Later on she described how to prepare finger foods, carrots sticks the size of an adult finger and told us to introduce these at 6 months.  I raised my hand and asked her what the difference was between a puree route steamed carrot baton and a BLW route steamed carrot baton.  She was slightly stuck for an answer, but then repeated that with BLW mothers just leave their children to choke whilst the mother goes off to do something else in another room.
Another mother there was unable to get her child to eat anything but skips and had come desperately looking for advice.  She was told to just feed the child skips :(

OK I won't go on, rant over, the whole story is somewhere on the threads.  Just shocking.
But I am SO pleased to hear that not all areas are so against BLW and some are clearly encouraging it.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: suzannemoore on February 01, 2012, 19:00:21 pm
Hi ladies.  Would someone be willing to share some good high calorie meal and snack ideas.  My lo is 9 months old and she is a pretty good eater.  Just getting stuck in a rut of pasta and chicken.  Thanks!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 01, 2012, 19:22:21 pm
It certainly wasn't the norm to do blw when I weaned cadan 18 months ago so I think it is a recent change. That is very ignorant of the trainer to assume blw mums leave their kids unattended to choke. That is just common sense.

Avocado and dairy are high calorie foods.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: katie80 on February 01, 2012, 19:41:47 pm
Thanks for all the tips, ladies!  I appreciate your support.

Katy - I had thought about the wheat thing too, I guess because it's in so much of what we eat as well and there does seem to be a lot of sensitivity to it these days.  But, we have no allergies in our family, so I'll give it a try in the next couple weeks.

Is your LO frustrated by the banana breaking?
Nuala - No he really wasn't frustrated, I guess, just couldn't figure out how to get it back to his mouth and ended up bending over to try to just gum it on the tray. :D  I just felt bad that he seemed to want more, but couldn't get it; and then I thought if he did get it, the piece would be a little smallish at that point and was worried he might put the whole thing in his mouth.

Well, I gave him a slice of apple today from DD's lunch (it was raw, not softened at all), but he was so happy to just hold it and sit and gum it and even took tiny pieces out with his teeth.  So, I think this is defintiely the way to go for us.  Will steam the carrots and some apple in the next day or so and also try the banana and avocado rolled in some of the rice cereal.

Ali - Fun to have you here.  Shall we start this together?

Avocado and dairy are high calorie foods.
Yep!  My DD started with finger foods (pincer-size) at 8 mo, as she didn't care for any puree I tried, so I was really keen on getting her high calorie foods as she was a mover and had started to drop on the charts (totally normal, but I was a bit obsessed ::)).  So, I gave her lots of avocado chunks, full-fat cream cheese on toast, eggs, full-fat yogurt, full-fat cottage cheese, etc.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 01, 2012, 21:50:38 pm
Just a quick tip for newbies to BLW.  Although finger shaped and wedges are the 'norm' it's pretty handy to cut things into crescent moons and circles with holes in, these shapes give LO a place to grip more easily, espcially slippery fruit which tbh an adult would struggle with.  For example rather than wedges the length of an avocado cut in half moons width ways so each piece (well most of them) have a semi circle cut out where the stone was.  This is a less slippery shape.  Same with cored apple, do moons or rounds, etc.
With things like nectarine I used to prod/squish with my finger into a wedge, basically just mis-shaping the wedge (not mushing the whole piece of fruit) which again gives an area for LO to grip.

I tried fruit rolled in rice cereal thing once or twice (I'd read it as a tip and my mum had bought baby rice which I had no intention of ever using), I found the rice powder just went to mush on the outside of the fruit straight away so wasn't really helpful, but I think someone else had great success with wheatgerm?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 01, 2012, 22:17:37 pm
Ok- a tip ladies... don't let your LO help with the typing... they can too easily press delete!!

I DID say- The dietitians i used to work with would often add calories to foods by adding butter and cream to things- if you are overly concerned you could add unsalted butter to things or cream to things to push it up... this was for adults and kids with disabilities who struggled to get the food quantities in...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 01, 2012, 22:38:51 pm
Upping the cream/butter/milk in the solids food is also advised if LO drops their milk intake too but I found the opposite, the more dairy I offered in solids the less formula he took from bottles.  It was getting a bit silly the amount of dairy solids I was giving in an attempt to keep his dairy intake up.  Then I just did a turn about and stopped giving much at all in solids and he upped his milk.  Pretty clever in knowing how much they need these LOs eh?  He was obviously keeping track of his own dairy intake!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 02, 2012, 01:00:17 am
Oh- and you can roll te fruit in crushed up regular cereal like shredded weet/weetbix or something low salt, no sugar.. it may hold together better than baby cereal as creations describes....

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 02, 2012, 01:47:25 am
I'd like to think of some more non-dairy high calorie foods to offer F... We can't get avocado here, unfortunately as we discovered on our trip home last year that she loves it! I give her peanut butter on toast. Any other ideas?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 02, 2012, 02:05:59 am
what about good oils like olive etc... added... making things with coconut oil?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 02, 2012, 03:09:58 am
Mmm, yes I could try and get some olive oil - I'm pretty sure it is available in a couple of stores, just horrendously expensive  ::). I do use coconut milk in things quite a bit too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 02, 2012, 03:39:19 am
I'm sure any of those good oils are appropriate... like.. um... macadamia oil (oh- that's probably an australian thing..) avacado oil? I'm trying to think of an oil they use in thailand.... Ok- here's a list from one website.. but they differ across websites (from my 3 minute search of 4 websites... hardly comprehensive) :
Good Cooking Oils:
canola oil
flax seed oil
peanut oil
olive oil
non-hydrogenated soft margarine
safflower oil
sunflower oil
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 03, 2012, 11:26:51 am
Ok, Katy, this is mostly for you :)

I've been thinking about making a sugar-free mango sorbet with coconut milk for Felicity, partly to try and get more coconut milk into her and partly because it's just hot. So I did a bit of googling and found this: http://sogoodandtasty.blogspot.com/2011/05/mango-sorbet.html

I made it this morning and oh my goodness, it is delicious. If your little guy is into mango, you have to try it! I made half into little popsicles, and just put the other half into a container. Felicity had one for dessert and demanded seconds (as did DH). She kept screwing up her face and signing *cold*!!!, immediately followed by *more*!!!.

I'm not great with measurements so probably used more coconut milk and less water than the recipe says, and I also didn't remove the ginger before blending (but did take out the cloves). It was pretty gingery but obviously not too much for F  ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 03, 2012, 12:03:20 pm
YUM!! FOrget hamish- this looks great!! I NEVER would have thought of ginger and cloves! I'll HAVE to give it a try- we are at the end of the mango season, but i'm sure a couple of ones suitable for sorbet are still around! I bought just the other day these sweet little annabel karmel iceblock moulds especially for babies! So it would be perfect!- and sooo sweet with the signing!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 03, 2012, 12:47:57 pm
YUM!! FOrget hamish- this looks great!!

Yeah, I have to admit that I knew it wouldn't go to waste even if F wasn't keen! Now I just have to refrain from eating it all until I can go out and buy more mangoes to make more - and have to figure out how to keep DH away as well!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: katie80 on February 03, 2012, 20:08:28 pm
flax seed oil
Nuala, can you get just plain (or ground) flax seed.  I used to add it (ground) to muffins and smoothies for Claire to add in some good fats to her diet. 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 04, 2012, 22:10:15 pm
Creations, thanks for the tips on the crescent shapes. I will keep that in mind.

We have been offering Colby some foods to try with varying success. He is happiest with regular white bread crusts but I'm not sure how good that is really. I also gave him some banana but he shuddered and squidged it all up even though I had split it into three with my finger down the middle so it wasn't slimy when I gave it to him. Maybe it was too ripe. I didn't think he got much but there was a chunk in his poop so I guess he swallowed some.
Today I offered him cheddar cheese but he just broke it up and didn't even taste it I don't think. I then offered him some potato flesh from a baked/jacket potato but same as the cheese really. Then out of desperation to keep him happy while we ate I gave him a Farley's rusk (reduced sugar, banana one) and he really went to town. I wasn't planning to offer so many foods but since he rejected most I didn't feel he would be over loaded. I will try to stick to one food and be a bit more organised with what I offer. Today it was just what we happened to be eating really.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 04, 2012, 23:35:58 pm
Great job!! Really we haven't worried too much, and part of the point is that you are having the same stuff as them.. We don' always (we hardly ever do!) but it's great when we eat something he can have! On the bread, i usually give wholemeal, but i think that white is fine as babies can't handle too much wholegrain as their guts take more to absorb the nutirents or something like that? And it can take the place of more nutritious foods? I figure he doesn't have wholemeal stuff at every meal so it's fine- but I give him white bread, especially if we're at a restaraunt! Be warned, this is the end of eating at a cafe and having Colby happily play while you eat!! Are BLW babis worse for that? I've only done BLW so i don't have anything to compare!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 04, 2012, 23:41:51 pm
See Katy I was hoping for the opposite. Right now colby gets bored and ends up on someone's lap during most meals out with them trying to keep him from grabbing the plate. I figured now he can sit in a high chair and make a mess with some foods ans perhaps eat some.
He did keep dropping the Rusk today and then crying because he couldn't reach it so I had yk keep giving it back.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 04, 2012, 23:49:06 pm
Right now colby gets bored and ends up on someone's lap during most meals out with them trying to keep him from grabbing the plate

Ba ha ha h!! Oh... now hamish can't sit in a high chair NEAR the table without grabbing people's plates!! He was sitting there 'reading' the menu the other day!!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 05, 2012, 04:28:13 am
Lol, I hope he found something to his liking?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 05, 2012, 22:15:37 pm
Ali, like Kay says, there's no problem with the white bread.  It's advised not to give LO's wholemeal as it is too filling.  That said, I do give DS mulitgrain wholemeal bread because he doesn't eat a lot of it.  But no brown rice or brown pasta.
DS wasn't at all keen on banana the first few times he was offered.  Then suddenly loved them.
I really want to advise you against the rusks though :(  Even the low sugar ones are packed with sugar.
There are truly 'no added sugar' biscuits available in the supermarkets.  Organix for example (sweetened only with fruits).  If you are worried that he can't handle a thin 'biscuit' yet (you know if you worry he might bite a chunk off and it be too dry in his mouth), organix do 'moon biscuits' which are crescent shaped, sugar free, and very fat and chunky like a rusk.  They also do that melting turning to mush in the mouth type thing that a rusk does.

For quite a while I took food out for DS if I was eating out.  If I was able to take something that looked like it might be the same I did (eg going for a Sunday roast I made him a selection of steamed veg so it seemed he had the same but his were all salt free where as the restaurant veg would have been cooked with salt.  But I gave him a bit of meat off someone's plate so that would have been his salt allowance for the day).  If I didn't know what we'd be having I just took anything for him.  Baked apple wedges, or potato wedges, something like that.  Now that he's turned 1 I don't worry about salt as much, if we go out I just order for him.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 05, 2012, 22:26:45 pm
Thanks Creations. Yeah, not sure why I got the rusks really. I know they are packed with sugar. ::) We have had the Organix biscuits for Cadan in the past when he was older though. I think I will try to stick with veggies and fruit more rather than biscuits for now. I don't want him getting my sweet tooth. LOL.

I have heard that white bread etc is better than brown for the reasons you guys said above but I'm just thinking bread full stop is not very nutritious. A protein or veg/fruit would be better at this very early stage.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 05, 2012, 23:12:22 pm
FYI creations and others- i was doing some reading on the wholemeal thing and it said that brown rice was not included in that category- so it's fine.. if i find the link again later i'll post it...

Bread is good though i find as a carrier for something else- avocado, mashed pumpkin, mashed salmon pattie, peanut butter (no sugar, no salt- GROSS!)- And look for a low salt bread- some are really high in soduim!

Love the new pic- Hamish will NEVER have a 'first sledge'!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 05, 2012, 23:40:11 pm
FYI creations and others- i was doing some reading on the wholemeal thing and it said that brown rice was not included in that category- so it's fine.. if i find the link again later i'll post it...
Interesting!  Thanks for the info, doesn't affect us though, I hate brown rice :)

Bread in the UK has higher salt than many other countries too which is SO annoying.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 06, 2012, 01:56:39 am
Yes, I have always given brown rice and F loves it. It's all we have at home, although she has white rice when we're out. I make my own bread with just a little wholemeal flour, oats, and white flour - and no salt. She doesn't have it every day, but will sometimes have toast after her porridge, or I will make her some savoury french toast as a quick lunch or dinner.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 06, 2012, 03:45:45 am
French toast... Of course- id forgotten that!! Nice idea!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 06, 2012, 03:58:44 am
I often spread a bit of home-made pizza sauce (tom paste, garlic, herbs) on the bread, then dip in egg and fry - sort of a cross between a mini pizza and french toast. Yum! Or just dip the bread in herby egg, if I don't have any pizza sauce on hand.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 06, 2012, 05:33:42 am
Great idea papaya!! I'm always keen to add more nutrition to bread!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: katie80 on February 07, 2012, 20:19:37 pm
Ok, we're really waffling here.  Now that G's all done being sick, he seems to be getting frustrated that he breaks things on the way to his mouth and then looks thoroughly unimpressed when a piece gets stuck in the back of his throat (or maybe that's my discomfort I'm seeing in his face :-\).  So, I've been offering some purees and then give him the real food after a bit. 

This is what happens:  I steamed some carrot sticks.  He picks them up and gets them to his mouth, but rather than gumming some off, a little chunk always comes off, which he moves around his mouth, sometimes is able to mush up, and sometimes chokes it down.  He continues until all that's left are smaller pieces that he's unable to get in his mouth.  Is this how it's supposed to look and they just get better, or have I prepared the carrots wrong? 

What other foods did you do at the beginning?  I'm so tempted to give him a piece of toast, but all we eat is whole wheat and now my BIL is reading about the 'wheat belly' (basically that our bodies aren't capable of handling modern-day grains, I think), so I feel like I shouldn't be giving toast.  Aaack, I'm not confident in much right now! :P :-[ ::)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on February 07, 2012, 20:34:05 pm
Katie, that's exactly where we were between 6-7m and the gagging to bring that little lump up was then followed by a vomit! So i stepped back from pure BLW, did a few purees and offered some organic finger foods designed for babies which melt in the mouth  so that she could get used to handling food, getting it to her mouth and gumming it.  She enjoyed feeding herself and in the last 2-3 weeks I've seen a big improvement in what she's able to cope with.  I'm still offering mashed food and yoghurts as well as lots of different finger foods and she feeds herself with the spoon...

R.x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 07, 2012, 20:51:52 pm
Sounds pretty much right katie.. I found though that i could never get carrots right, they always ended up a little too hard... i ould offer things like pumpkin and sweet potato. THey go a lot softer. And fruits that are soft. I held off on toast till 7 months i think... it doesn't break up that well so it was a bit tricky for hamish when he was little. They do a lot of looking and experimenting with the food and then just 'get' it!

Does anyone remember he-man? Cartoon from the 80s ?Well- hamish has started doing this 'by the power of greyskull' thing with the spoon in the morning! Sooooo glad yoghurt is the only spoon food or i think i'd be struggling- he grabs it off me, not content to hold the handle near the bowl as he's done all along  while i hold the end... holds it up in front with this angry expression and sort of growls! I expect him to transform... but he only transforms into a baby covered in yoghurt...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 07, 2012, 22:05:52 pm
I loved He-man!!! I had the figures and Skelatore's castle. LOL.

Most of our food is just getting broken up so far Katie. Today I have him farfalle pasta and he had a good go but again, I'm not sure if he actually swallowed any. I have a sweet potato in the fridge that I keep meaning to cook but keep forgetting.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: katie80 on February 08, 2012, 02:08:12 am
Rach - Thanks, good to know someone who's BTDT.  Love your new avatar, btw!! ;D

Katy - Glad to know that's normal.  I was just thinking that sweet potato might be a bit easier, and will make up some wedges in the next couple days.  LOL on He-man!! :)

Ali - I know that G's swallowing some, because I've seen carrot bits in his poop. :-X  I guess I'm just being impatient and not really trusting the process.  Hadn't thought of pasta yet, I think we have some elbow macaroni in the cupboard.

I bought some organic rice rusks today at the store and gave him one while we were eating dinner.  I think he's just strong (read: all boy; I'm used to more curious exploring from DD rather than muscling it in there), because he broke that too getting it to his mouth.  But, he did enjoy gnawing on it, bit a couple pieces off and sort of choked them down as well.  His all time favorite part of the meal right now is the sippy cup of water.  He gets so excited and almost frantic when I put it on his tray.  He has yet to get much water from it, but can't get enough of chewing on the spout, LOL!  It's cute. :D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 08, 2012, 02:17:00 am
He has yet to get much water from it, but can't get enough of chewing on the spout,

Katie, if he's really into gnawing on things at the moment, how about offering him some cucumber sticks or tomato wedges? My LO loves these when she's teething, because she can rub them against her gums, they're nice and cold if out of the fridge, and it's easy to suck/gum the softer flesh off the skins :)  Although tomato is a possible allergen, so you might want to watch out for that at this early stage.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: katie80 on February 08, 2012, 02:27:23 am
Oh, good ideas, Nuala, thanks.  Yes, he's definitely working on another tooth.  Neither are in season here right now, but I can get some local greenhouse ones, I think.  I'll have to check.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on February 08, 2012, 06:21:22 am
LOL on he-man Katy!! Too funny! I used to love he-man too!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 08, 2012, 23:57:51 pm
Katie, have you tried baked potato wedges? They are quite firm to pick up, can be just sucked on, but also if LO starts to gnaw on it the inside is basically mash as it is so soft.  LO can gum and suck the contents out without so easily 'snapping' a bit off.  The skins can be discarded if they are not eaten.

Baked apple wedges hold pretty well too and again it's so soft inside it's like apple sauce.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 09, 2012, 01:24:42 am
Good ideas creations. I plan on making banana pancakes tomorrow and will let colby have a try.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: katie80 on February 09, 2012, 01:56:43 am
Thanks, creations.  I just finally realized what your avatar is...  I love it! ;D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 09, 2012, 21:20:25 pm
I plan on making banana pancakes tomorrow and will let colby have a try.
DS loves pancakes, they are a staple here.  The little american/scotch/russian ones, not the English/French sort.
I make them with a variety of fruit, packed with fruit.  Have also made sweet potato ones too.
He will eat about 6 of these for a morning snack (plus an entire mango or banana!  I DO NOT know how I keep up with the food bill!).  I usually make a batch of about 35 and stick some in the freezer so they last a few days.
I keep meaning to try more with different veg in because I'm always concerned his veg intake is too low in comparison to the amount of fruit he eats.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 09, 2012, 21:29:00 pm
I keep meaning to try more with different veg in because I'm always concerned his veg intake is too low in comparison to the amount of fruit he eats.

I'm the same with hamish- will smash every fruit known to man (is there a kiwifruit eating contest? He;d soooo win!) but only a couple of vegies... i keep packing them into the things i make though...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 09, 2012, 22:05:44 pm
Fruit is so much easier too though isn't it Katy?  I mean fruit is lovely and ripe and ready.  Previously cooked green beans gone cold, then even colder because they are in the fridge, just don't have the same appeal :(  Although I must admit when he was younger and starting out on BLW he would totally gobble up an entire plate of veg even it had been cooked in advance and stored for a couple of hours in the fridge.
I was just talking with DP about this last night, I must make some veg snacks that are appetising.  Thinking falafel, mini vegi/bean burgers that sort of thing.  Stuff that would be ok to take out to play group or offer almost straight from the fridge.

Katie and Ali, roasted sweet potato wedges or carrots are good too, again hold their shape pretty well but the inside is lovely and soft.  I always cooked it too long when I steamed sweet potato and it would fall apart into mash.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 09, 2012, 23:58:48 pm
I make a few little muffins packed with vegies- like i did some sweet potato and sultana ones, and capsicum and cheese ones. Not as much veg as i can put in meatballs, but some veg, and can be transported out abd about and eaten without preparation, refrigeration, or even too much clean up!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 10, 2012, 00:11:15 am
I make vege fritters as well, which are great for taking out for a snack, or part of dinner if what we're having isn't suitable. Grated veg of choice (F loves carrot and onion, or pumpkin. Courgette would be good too), some herbs, a bit of flour and an egg :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 10, 2012, 00:13:35 am
ill try them.. the french tast was asuccess!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 10, 2012, 00:17:56 am
I used to make pancakes with butternut squash for Cadan as it goes nice and smooth when pureed. Peas are great too. He also used to like eating cold, cooked peas and sweetcorn out of a little pot as a snack. He would use a little pincer grip and eat them individually. Kept him entertained in the shopping trolley on many occasions. You can also grate carrot into sauces for pasta or meats like mince.

I actually made cinnamon pancakes and used the banana for some fairy cakes cadan and I made during colby's nap so he didn't get any of those.

I have roasted some sweet potato tonight actually and that will be tomorrow's offering.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 10, 2012, 09:53:40 am
I make muffins too Katy :)  He loves one when they are first offered but then doesn't want one the next day or thereafter.  So he gets about one out of every batch made which leaves WAY too many for me!  I also made a selection for his first birthday, cut a 'cone' shape out of the top, put a big dollop of mascarpone cheese in there and replaced the cone to keep the mushy mascarpone kind of inside.  Worked really well and both DS and all the adults enjoyed them.

I like the sound of the vegi fritters Nuala.  Will make up some of those :)

Ali, with the squash in pancakes did you steam the squash first then?
I like the idea of the peas and sweetcorn in pots to take out Ali.  To fit in shopping we leave 'directly' after lunch but by the time he's been on the potty, had a nappy change, and I've got our shoes and coats on, we get there and it's snack time!  Has also given me the idea of taking along a pot of cooked beans (not the baked in tom sauce variety, just plain).

He does get vegies :) I shouldn't make it sound like they are non-existent.  I make a huge lunch as that's the time he eats the most in the day and also he has it after his nap so I have time whilst he sleeps to cook.  It's our main meal of the day and it's always got lots and lots of veg.  I'd just like him to have some at other times of the day rather than fruit.

I have a vegi cook book for kids too which has some tasty sounding ideas.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 10, 2012, 11:16:04 am
I love the cupcake idea with the marscapone!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: katie80 on February 10, 2012, 19:17:06 pm
Ali - How did you make your pancakes?  Claire used to love them, actually that's how she started using a fork, but I didn't feed them to her til 10-12 mo and I think maybe a lot of American recipes have a fair amount of sugar.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 10, 2012, 19:57:38 pm
I just use 2 eggs, 1pint milk, and about 300g self raising flour (or normal flour and  a teaspoon of baking powder). I also added a teaspoon each of vanilla essence and cinnamon to these ones. Colby has them dry but cadan and I had maple syrup on ours. Dh normally has them with lemon and sugar. I sometimes add pureed fruit or veg and less milk. Fizzy water instead of some of the milk can make them lighter.
I just cut them in longish strips for him.
Colby ate cheese omlette and mushrooms and strawberries today. Not sure much went down as always.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: katie80 on February 10, 2012, 20:24:04 pm
Ok, not much different than what I normally do, just minus the sugar. :-[  Thanks, Ali.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 11, 2012, 22:42:49 pm
Colby has his first proper meal today of salmon steamed and roasted sweet potato. He wasn't too sure on the salmon.

Are you/did you all start doing one meal for a few weeks before you added a second and then a third? That is what I did with Cadan but since Colby hardly gets any food actually in him I am tending to give him little tastes at all three meals of the day. It is generally the same food(s) for all three meals. So today it was just sweet potato for breakfast and lunch and then same again with salmon for dinner.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 11, 2012, 22:55:16 pm
To start with i pretty much gave hamish a go at almost every meal- basically evety meal i could manage. I figured the same as you- he's not getting much, and the more practice he gets the better. Also at 6 months it's not VITAL that they have solids EVERY DAY- so i figured too that if i had a few days when i offerred at every meal, then i could have a day or so where i didn't- if we were out or something.

Now that hamish eats more (biggest understatement of the year) i only offer 2 meals- or i did from I guess around 7-8 months or so (more or less). I'm no offering lunch some days- mainly now funnily enough when e are out and about rather than at home! I give him a couple of little muffins as he MUST have something while i'm eating... I think soon- like even next week i'm going to try offerring lunch more consistently and think about dropping a feed after that (he's been a bit fussy on the late feeds)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 12, 2012, 01:00:32 am
I offered two meal from the start - breakfast and lunch. We still had the CN at six months, but when we dropped that around 7 -7.5 months I started offering dinner as well. The timings didn't work before that. Dinner was just a snack for a while though.

Anyone else seen this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16905371 ?

Some more research in support of BLW :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 12, 2012, 01:11:31 am
Cool! Love it! Had my friends over the other day and there is a little baby the same age as hamish- Still on all puree!! I found it funny how at the start i was nervous that he wasn't having as much- but no there's no problem at all- he eats surely as much as the other babies- and probably gets more variety!! Sooo happy with our decision!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 12, 2012, 07:23:01 am
Make sense. Did you see Nuala that blw is the recommended way to wean here now?  At some of the play groups I go to Katy there are toddlers who are still eating all purees as their mums say they can't get them to eat anything else yet.
My nephew starts on blw but by 8 or 9mo was still hardly eating anything so my sister started on purees and he eats a lot more of those although still has lots of finger foods too. he was getting quite frustrated with the finger foods and not managing to eat what he wanted. so I guess blw doesn't work for everyone.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 12, 2012, 10:21:48 am
no- and possibly kids with hand skills that are either a bit behind their peers, or not up to where their mouth skills are up to- probably would find it too frustrating... not delayed as such, just that kids develop at different rates within the 'normal' band.. ANd the book says that it's not for kids who's physical/hand skills aren't up to it. (Is the nephew the one that we 'know'?)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 12, 2012, 21:00:07 pm
Yeah. I'm not sure why he doesn't eat much finger food cos he can do it and does eat some things. He's just cut his first tooth so maybe that being through will help.

Colby ate torn roast duck with steamed carrot, broccoli and cauliflower tonight. :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 12, 2012, 21:04:10 pm
YAY!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: squeakersmum on February 12, 2012, 21:18:23 pm
Just checking in. Abi is still not eating very much - despite BLW since a week shy of 6 months. I'm not stressing about it, we're just plodding along! She doesn't really take that much milk either (2 x 7oz bottles and usually 2 x 5oz bottles).

Still enjoys her beloved blueberries!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 12, 2012, 21:27:24 pm
ALso- some babies are just not big eaters i guess! As long as they are still growing!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 12, 2012, 21:54:13 pm
Hi Steph. :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: squeakersmum on February 12, 2012, 22:00:24 pm
Ab is pretty titchy compared to her giant brother ::)

I, however, am a bit of an anomaly in my family - I'm big and tall. My mum, aunts, and grandparents are all much shorter than me, by 5 or 6 inches and all are slight (I just call that plain unfair!) so Abi could well be more like them.

Is feta cheese too salty for them at this age if it's cooked into say a muffin?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 12, 2012, 22:31:31 pm
Well Steph the feta cheese I have says it is 3% salt which means a 35g serving would contain their entire daily recommended intake of salt. I guess it depends on how much she would be getting in a muffin (I'm guessing not 35g?) and how often she would get it. If it is just a little bit once in a while I expect it would be fine.

And would anyone like to join me in sharing some pics of BLW on this thread? I have posted some of Colby.
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=178354.msg2436554#msg2436554
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 12, 2012, 23:38:43 pm
OOh!! I'd love to!! I as just going to say e should have a thread of 'funny moments in BLW' as there are soo many!! But messy photos is good too!! I'll put some on tonight i think!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 12, 2012, 23:40:06 pm
Are you/did you all start doing one meal for a few weeks before you added a second and then a third?
No we had to go straight to 3 meals because DS spent ALL day asking for food and I kept responding with extra milks and he kept telling me how STUPID I was at offering milk when he wants REAL food lol
Initially it was not full meals though, it was one or two types of foods at each sitting.

FWIW he's been offered salmon perhaps once per week for 6 months or so and still doesn't like it.  He will put a piece in his mouth but after moving it around a little he spits it back out.
I found he LOVES canned mackerel and canned tuna (also likes smoked mackerel. won't eat fresh tuna which is a real shame, I hate the canned stuff!) so I always had to really really limit the amount I gave him because of the salt and not give anything else with salt in at all in the same day.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 12, 2012, 23:43:15 pm
Creations- have you tried the salmon in a potato cake? I put fresh cooked salmon, cheese, potato, spinach- and whatever else you can cram in there- into a little pattie and bake it- he INHALES THEM!! Sometimes i use tinned salmon and watch the salt content

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 12, 2012, 23:46:29 pm
Is canned tuna salty? I didn't realise. We get the one in spring water for sandwiches and jacket potatoes. Is that salty too or just the one in brine? I haven't given it to colby yet but cadan loves it.
Oh we live fish cakes here. Hope colby does too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 12, 2012, 23:55:09 pm
The brine is worst- as in don't even put it in the same room as the baby- but the others are salty too.. not as much. I couldn't find a plain one in the cupboard... it is pretty easy though to poach a bit of salmon, and a small fillet goes a long way. If you get them on sale too...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 13, 2012, 00:57:07 am
It's advised to use the stuff in oil rather than spring water when they are very young although I reckon if you already use the spring water tuna then it's not likely to make a massive difference.  For sure what Katy said the brine in the worst, but yes the others are quite high in salt too.  It's so nice now DS is over 12 months that I can relax just a little on how much he can have.  for example I used to make pasta with veggies and sauce then give DS about a teaspoon of tuna or mackerel to go with it where as now I whack the whole tin in, stir it up and serve him a portion from it.

Fish cakes didn't go down that well here, he doesn't eat potato! (OK he will eat 1 or 2 roast or home baked chips but certainly not mash).  It's funny how he shows clear dislike to certain things, I know it isn't just fussiness or being picky, he just doesn't like them.  I keep offering of course thinking one day he will get a taste for those things he won't eat right now.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on February 13, 2012, 03:25:35 am
Hi ladies, jumping on as my LO loves to push away the spoon and would rather eat everything from his tray.  Hoping to get some more ideas for good foods to serve him (I'm always worried about choking). 

C isn't a fan of most green veg.  Anyone have a "can't miss" way to serve up something green?  My daughter always loved them and C is good at hiding them in places other than his mouth. 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 13, 2012, 04:08:07 am
Funny Creations, your LO seems to dislike all the things that F loves the most! Fish cakes, broccoli, rice... :D

The one thing I've ever offered her that she really seemed to dislike was pineapple, so I just didn't offer that again for months as I know it can be an allergen and I thought maybe she was telling me that it made her mouth feel funny. Well, now she's over 1 and DH and I had fresh pineapple yesterday so I gave F a little...and she scoffed it down and asked for more. So now I don't think there's anything I've ever offered that she just won't eat ever, although of course she has days where she won't touch something that she loved the week before ::)

Eshea, can you hide veges in meatballs or fishcakes, like Katy was saying above? I add peas to meatballs, if you mush or puree them first you can't see them at all (although there may be a slight green tinge to the whole thing). I've made patties from mashed pumpkin and tofu with lots of chopped, steamed broccoli added (not that I need to hide that here, it just seemed like it would go well and it did!). Grated courgette fritters? Or courgette muffins are really tasty too, think like carrot cake. You can make them with fruit to sweeten, rather than refined sugar. 

Ali, I had heard that BLW was being recommended more in the UK now. Wish it was in NZ! Last I heard, which was admittedly a year or so ago, the official Plunket line was still to intro solids at "4-6 months", and that BLW "wasn't adequately researched to recommend without reservations". From what I read of their guidelines, it would put mums who hadn't done much research off BLW. Sure, maybe it's not for everyone, but I didn't like that they seemed to be implying that it might not be safe (similar to your experience perhaps, Creations). Not sure if that's changing.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 13, 2012, 08:50:04 am
Funny Creations, your LO seems to dislike all the things that F loves the most! Fish cakes, broccoli, rice... Cheesy
:) I could prob make some fishcakes without potato and I think he would eat them.  I do make batches of things when I can but some things feel like more hassle than they are worth if he doesn't touch them at the end of it.

I made some mixed bean fritter type things the other day, DP and I thought they were pretty dull and bland on a taste test, DS scoffed the lot in two snacks.  The next day I 'improved' the recipe by adding steamed red pepper (a big fav of DS) and finely chopped spring onion to add more flavour (both batches also had some curry paste for seasoning) and the results reversed.  But I'll be taking a load out to play group for his large morning snack today so I hope he decides to like them after all!

Erica - DS loves spinach mixed up in pasta with a cream cheese and garlic sauce.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 13, 2012, 09:14:08 am
Hamish won't come at pasta! It is really frustrating when you make stuff and they don't eat it!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 13, 2012, 09:31:31 am
Katy that is why I like just feeding him stuff off my plate without the salt or hot spices because than I haven't spent time making it and he turns his nose up.

Erica how old is your LO?

Nuala, here blw is only recommended if you wait until 6mo to introduce solids. When the weaning age was 4mo they only recommended sticking to purees from 4 to uno anyway and the finger foods could be added from 6mo. So I guess this is just cutting out the purees stage.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Zoey on February 13, 2012, 20:59:07 pm
Hi ladies... I'm interested in this approach as Wyatt dislikes purees, and seems to prefer finger foods (tries to finger food the puree...).  Are there any good sites around to help walk me through this approach and do your LO's appear to choke/gag on the foods much?  Do they take huge bites?

Thanks
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 13, 2012, 21:15:27 pm
Welcome zoey! this is a good site to get you going: http://www.babyledweaning.com/. They will gag a bit as this is part of how they learn, but gagging isn't dangerous-just unpleasant, but the babies don't seem to be phased by it!! They learn pretty well what they can handle and how much food they can put in their mouths!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 13, 2012, 21:52:22 pm
Welcome zoey. I agree with Katy, colby doesn't gag much and when he does he just carries on munching. It is just the way the bring the food back into their mouths if they start to swallow before the food is ready/gummed enough.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 13, 2012, 23:17:48 pm
gagging isn't dangerous-just unpleasant, but the babies don't seem to be phased by it!!
Mine will be gagging on one mouthful and shovelling another mouthful in at the same time!  It rarely phases him.  The absolute worst ones are when he swallows something too big and bringing it up makes his eyes water and he looks uncomfortable (this is not a choke, he is still breathing) and 2 seconds later he picks up whatever it was that he's just hacked up and has another go at it!
Honestly these LOs :)

I'd suggest taking an infant first aid course to familiarise yourself with what to do in a choking situation.  They are more likely to choke on a small toy or button but the knowledge from the course is well worth having and it may help you relax around meal times.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 13, 2012, 23:21:43 pm
I'd suggest taking an infant first aid course to familiarise yourself with what to do in a choking situation.

I was going to suggest this- I am usually pretty calm as through my work i have had to be able to tell the difference between the two, but i always go through my head what i need to do in case- but that is the same with older babies and finger foods (and kids!). Apparently i was traditionally weaned as a baby, but routinely had to be turned upside down when i started finger foods as i just loved it so much! (I don't think thats the recommended practice for choking now- but an example)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 13, 2012, 23:44:42 pm
I covered infant choking and CPR in my first aid at work course although that was 3yrs ago now.

I imagine you're familiar from your line of work too zoey?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 13, 2012, 23:48:29 pm
Oh- what do you do Zoey?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Zoey on February 14, 2012, 00:57:54 am
Yes, I'm familiar however it's one of my biggest fears.  Owen choked the other day and I had to do the Heimlich and I am still having nightmares. 

Katy, I am (or was?... I haven't worked since Owen was born) a nurse.

Thanks ladies, I'm excited to try this...  I'm hoping Wyatt enjoys it more than the puree.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 14, 2012, 01:02:15 am
Ha! A nurse!! Well you should be right then!! I'm a speech path and i have to know because i'm the woman feeding the kids things they can't eat... :-\

I think though in some ways kids are more likely to choke than little babies- on food anyway... in that their gag reflex is stronger and stuff all seems to come out way before it's in choke range...

Oh- i'm so laughing now- I was searching for a good link on the difference between choking and gagging to give you some more information Zoey- how embarrassing!!   :-[
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Zoey on February 14, 2012, 01:46:17 am
Oh no no, don't be!  I would have welcomed it and been very grateful!!  :)  Thank you for the thought :-*
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 14, 2012, 08:28:16 am
OMG!! HAmish has discovered a new favourite food!! Pasta bolognaise!! He SMASHED it!! AND he ate it out of a big boy bowl! (If by big boy you include a plastic tupperware divided dish with mummy keeping a finger on the side just in case). My secret ingredient that made it nice enough for mummy and daddy to aslo eat with no sugar and salt: Grated apple to take the tang out of the tomatoes!!

Also- i've decided to start offerring him lunch every day this week and then start dropping the afternoon feed (feed 3 out of 4). Mainly because the afternoon and night feeds have been a bit iffy- either wanting one or the other, or sometimes neither!! So today he had lunch and then when i offerred the afternoon feed he had a bit of a suck but preferred to look at his poppy who had come for a visit. And then was right till dinner- where he ate an almost adult sized portion of bolognaise!! More meat than pasta... but LOVED IT!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 14, 2012, 10:03:50 am
The choking thing - I'm sure you will already know this though - any choke size/shape things I didn't offer for a while until I felt DS was really in control of what he was putting in his mouth.  I didn't give raisins or peas for ages.  Grapes and cherry toms I sliced in half or quarters.  On the whole though I kept things really big.
I've told this little story on here before...
I noticed a button had fallen from DS's cardigan one day, it was right next to him on the floor, I was SO glad I found it before he did and it struck me then, bigger is safer.  I would rather he tried to put an entire plastic plate in his mouth than a small plastic button - you know?

And sorry if I'm being patronising with you being a nurse and all...
the infant choke method is different, the heimlich isn't used like with an older child or adult, maybe just look at a video on-line, with an infant it's more like a chest compression.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 14, 2012, 10:13:30 am
Grapes and cherry toms I sliced in half or quarters

I do this- and once he started breaking up the kiwifruit skin i peeled it...

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Zoey on February 14, 2012, 15:00:54 pm
And sorry if I'm being patronising with you being a nurse and all...
the infant choke method is different, the heimlich isn't used like with an older child or adult, maybe just look at a video on-line, with an infant it's more like a chest compression.

Thanks, I know this.  I'm completely comfortable with "what" to do - it doesn't mean I'm not afraid of it happening.  I was just sharing how afraid I actually am, when I mentioned Owen choking.

Anyway, the first trial went amazing.  He ate more than he ever has lol.  He did, as I was afraid, bite off HUGE pieces - and I, as I was afraid, freaked out inside... however, I watched and waited and he spit a lot out, and mashed the rest.  He ended up eating, 1/4 pear (offered 1/4 raw and 1/4 steamed - he didn't like the raw at all) and a stick of watermelon.  He actually drank some water out of a regular cup too, which was quite impressive to us both.

Thanks for all the help ladies :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Zoey on February 14, 2012, 15:04:56 pm
Oh and I still cut my 6 yr olds grapes in half... :P
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 14, 2012, 19:13:43 pm
Sounds like a great start.  Well done you!  There were a couple of times when we first started out that I had the scary butterflies inside too and just made sure I hid it from DS so he didn't feel anything was wrong or scary.
I've found it got easier to relax after a short while.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 14, 2012, 21:00:05 pm
yeah- they gag enough stuff out- or just swallow it!!! great work zoey!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on February 14, 2012, 22:15:47 pm
Ali, my guy is 9 mths.  Sick the past two days, so only cold applesauce seems to make him happy.  :(
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 14, 2012, 22:37:32 pm
Erica have you tried avocado just in crescent shapes?
I tried a little banana porridge today with breast milk. I put the first spoon in his mouth so he'd get the taste but then gave the loaded spoon to him. He wasn't overly keen I suppose but it all disappeared and not all of it was down his front so I guess some got eaten. Hehe.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 14, 2012, 22:43:05 pm
yeah ali- that's pretty much how you judge... that and looking at the poo hmm... nice! I've become very good at judging how much food is on the floor..
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Zoey on February 14, 2012, 23:57:01 pm
Banana was terrifying.  He took a HUGE bite, I mean cheeks filled, like a chipmunk.  Then gag, gag, loud gag - and out some came.  It was ok and I let him continue, but then he did it again so I took it away.  I'm sure that isn't right, but I just couldn't deal!

THEN, I was changing him at naptime, and was brushing his teeth, and found a piece of banana stuck to the roof of his mouth, about the size of a thumb print.  I'm so glad I found it. 

All in all this really seems to be working for Wyatt, I hope I can calm down some.

<3
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 15, 2012, 00:00:59 am
Great zoey! I discovered a check of the mouth ever once in a while after a meal is always good! Hamish takes big mouthfuls too- but i really think the gag reflex is a teaching method- it's how we learn to take smaller bites, or at least how we learn to not put so much in our mouths!! Is that wyatt in the avatar? If so- he certainly has a big mouth ;P !! Soo happy!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Zoey on February 15, 2012, 00:59:21 am
Rofl he sure does!!  He had just pulled up for the first time and was yelling -he was so pleased! 

You're so right about the gag and learning.  I gotta chill!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: katie80 on February 15, 2012, 01:38:35 am
Hi Zoey ;D - Banana is really difficult, I've found, because it's so easy for them to get big chunks and then break the rest in pieces as they grab it.  G has done the same every time I've given him one: gets a big hunk in, gags and mushes it around, some comes out, and he swallows some.  But, then the rest isn't big enough for him to continue and he gets frustrated. 

creations - You're right about the bigger size pieces.  I finally realized all my sticks were too small.  I cooked a chicken in the crock pot this weekend to make some stock and had onions, carrots, and celery in with it.  After I strained it, I looked at the carrot pieces and thought, why in the world am I going to throw these out or use them for something else, let's give them a try.  They were much bigger, and G had much more success. :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Zoey on February 15, 2012, 01:53:49 am
That's brilliant Katie!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on February 15, 2012, 21:52:35 pm
Zoey, I'm nervous about choking and gagging like you.  I gave Connor a hard boiled egg today with cheese and tomato sauce.  It was mushed in a bowl but still had some decent sized pieces of egg white.  He was so dramatic with the gagging.  It was cleary  his way of telling me that he didn't care of the texture.  Once I mashed it up a bit more he was quite happy with it!

Ali, we do like avocado (I give it to him in chunks but should start crescents) and he likes banana semi-circles.  I did some squash squares the other day that were good and he handled well.  I never thought about the larger pieces being better.  Is that because they have to mush them up more with their gums?

I've been feeling so lazy with preparing Connor's food lately.  I am not nearly as good at introducing new things as I was with my daughter - I think because life is just so busy now.  I should be braver about giving him what we're eating. 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 15, 2012, 22:42:43 pm
Erica- if you are preparing stuff for your other little one you should be able to give most of it to your guy- how old is he again? He's a fraction older than my guy isn't he? I think that the message in the BLW book is that if they can manage it in their hands then they should be ready to have it in their mouths (excepting of course choking hazards like nuts, other hard small foods, object). So- if your guy can pick up a blueberry then he should be able to manage it. Wheras if he can't and you pop it into his mouth for him then he may not be. Also- when they have the foods in their hands they get a bit of warning about what the texture is... (you know that bit already of course..) The bigger pieces can be better as they have to sort of gnaw a bit off i guess and then they are less likely to slip the whole thing in. Remember you can always give Connor his food and just offer him a small amount of the other food you are already preparing for your DD- for a test/experiment on his part. Then you dont have to worry about the amounts he's getting from the other foods at least..

Make sense? It sort of only sideways addresses your questions i think!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 15, 2012, 22:48:32 pm
I thought the bigger pieces were so they could hold it and bite or suck it rather that just shove it in and not be deciding themselves how big it should be.

I steamed a load of butternut squash and sweet potato today and will try it tomorrow.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 15, 2012, 22:55:02 pm
Also the bigger pieces are because the little babies (6 months) don't have the ability to eat the food in the palm of their hands, or reposition the foods.. so you need a 'handle' on the foods...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on February 16, 2012, 03:05:04 am
Sure Katy, that makes sense.  He's good with his fine pinchers already - cheerios, stuck-to-tray avocado, blueberry halves, etc.  I'll see about making some larger steamed items.  My laziness about them is that they don't seem to freeze as nicely, and preparing for him at the same time as my daughter just get to be a chore.  However, he could probably eat more of what we all have so I just need to go for it!  Connor is 9mths and handful of days.  My daughter will be 4 in April. 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 16, 2012, 05:16:35 am
Yeah- freezing is tricky- I often lay out the stuff i want to freeze on a tray in the freezer and then once it;s frozen put it in a bag- stops it all sticking together...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 16, 2012, 09:14:05 am
Erica, what I often do is whatever veg we have for dinner after Lo is in bed I keep a few pieces in the fridge overnight and give it to him the next day. I imagine you have meat and veg with your dinner you can save for him.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on February 17, 2012, 03:22:24 am
I did that tonight, Ali.  We all eat at the same time and tonight was pasta with roasted veg.  I pulled out the veggies I wanted him to try before I mixed the dish for us (with some salt, balsamic v, and garlic).  He was pretty happy with the squares of squash.  I get worried about salt and then I start to think that if I'm this worried about him I should also worry about myself!!  Things certainly aren't overly salted, but we don't eat them "naked" as frequently as perhaps we should. 

Yesterday I made a boiled egg and mixed it with a cheesy tomato sauce.  He thought it was great until he got a bit that didn't have the egg white quite so mushed.  He is so dramatic with his gagging - must be a texture thing still.  I smushed it a bit more and he was happy to finish it off.  Perhaps I'm rushing him too much with the textures. My DD is just such a great eater (and always has been), I want to replicate!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 17, 2012, 06:07:23 am
Mmmm, pasta with roasted veg, Erica you've inspired me... :)

Babes under one shouldn't have more than 1 gr of salt per day. Adults are allowed up to 7 gr - so a bit of salt on your home-cooked pasta meal isn't going to do you any harm but do keep it off his for now!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 17, 2012, 11:15:53 am
I think the least said about amount of salt that adults should have the better... (she finishes her friday maccas...) (hamish is tucked up in bed)

On the healthier side- we made some of the potato pancakes off Lemon THyme's blog- I added some sweet potato- they were GREAT!! I put some sour cream on the top of his... full fat- it doesn;t have salt, or carbs or anything... that's ok isn;t it? It's not like he had heaps.. or he was drinking it.. he hoovered them (There are some things he doesnt hoover up too... He's still not convinced on the ice block front... perhaps when i eventually let him have a real sugar+chocolate one he;ll change his mind..)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: squeakersmum on February 17, 2012, 14:16:14 pm
Newsflash...

Abi ate!!!!

Her and Ben had spag Bol last night and she actually tucked in with some enthusiasm! Now I just have to stop myself giving it to her all the time ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 17, 2012, 14:26:26 pm
Great news steph.

We are taking a break from solids and sticking to breast milk for stew days since Colby has a virus that is giving him diarrhoea. Dr said to just BF and give a bottle of rehydration salts if he'll take it (which he hadn't so far). So I've have to eat half the sweet potato and butternut squash I steamed a big batch of and have frozen the rest. *Sigh*
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on February 17, 2012, 14:35:39 pm
Katy - you mentioned a while ago that you were giving Hamish some little meatball / sausage / rissole type things. Do you have a recipe to share? I think sofia might like them...

Went back to doing fingers of steamed sweet potato today (I feel like we're starting again a bit after the stomach virus as she hasn't really eaten for about a week) and she coped with them easily, but still not eating a huge amount.

Ali - hope colby hasn't got what we've had, it's been miserable! Get well soon little man. x

Oh and any advice on what shape to cut a cucumber into? I tried a thick round cut in half and sort of hollowed it out a little so it was more like a crescent. Is a stick better or do they end up biting off a lump from the end?

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 17, 2012, 14:43:53 pm
Oh no Ali, hope he comes right soon!

I think sour cream would be fine, Katy - it's just dairy, right? Go the spag bol, Steph!

F seems to enjoy the novelty of sorbet iceblocks, but sometimes after a few minutes she obviously just thinks they're too cold for her to eat as quickly as she wants! So I put some in a bowl, leave it to soften and let her go at it with the spoon too. Just over the past week or two she's really been mastering the spoon actually, and she often requests one if I haven't put one out for her. ('poon. poon' :)) She doesn't make much mess with it at all most of the time.

Rachel: I always do cucumber in sticks. She scrapes out the middle and only rarely bites a piece of (and never did before she had teeth).  I also make rissoles for F just as I would for us but with no salt - so minced meat of choice with finely chopped onion, garlic, herbs, a dab of tomato paste, any finely chopped or grated veg you want to add, breadcrumbs or oats and an egg to bind it all. Sorry if that's not much help, I never do it quite the same way twice so don't have a recipe!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on February 17, 2012, 19:21:30 pm
Thanks Nuala, will do a bit of experimenting.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 17, 2012, 21:00:10 pm
Steph- did she the photos of Hamish with the spag bol and realise all the cool kids are doing it? Great!

Rach: I just do something like Nuala, add in as much veg as i can. HEre is a recipe that i used off Lemonthyme's blog. http://mamacook.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/mini-meatloaf-recipe-for-babies-and.html What she does that's interesting is cook them in mini muffin tins- it's easier to fill the tins rather than rolling the balls (not that rolling balls is THAT hard.. but you know) and hen they cook the botom that is in the pan is a little softer, doesn't have a crust bit.. so is a litle easier for the babies to eat....

WHen not following a recipe my basic rissole/meatball recipe is something like: 500g mince (usually beef, but you could use pork or something too), a grated carrot, or zucchini, add in a few pieces of grated broccoli (my guy wont eat broccoli yet..) a grated onion, some cheese (1/2 cup?) breadcrumbs (1/2 cup?) an egg, sometimes something like brown rice or quinoa cooked (usually about 2 ice cubes worth) then mix it all up and pan fry or bake them.. I always use my hands to mix. The vegetables included are up to you really- anything will work pretty much! AND i sometimes add something like paprika, pepper, some mixed herbs... I am trying to make sure Hamish has foods that are a bit varied taste wise with the herbs and spices...

Hope all the sick little babies are feeling better!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on February 17, 2012, 22:34:31 pm
Those meatballs sound tasty, Katy.  I've never baked them in the oven before but I'm excited to try.  It's such a labor of love to make up 20 little meatballs standing over the stove, turning them here and there and burning my fingertips in the process. 

I made up some zuchinni/carrot fritters this afternoon.  I think they taste great - we'll see what the kids think tonight for dinner!

Thanks for the salt info.  I'm cautious about low sodium broths that we use, but even canned tomatoes/paste/etc. have some added sodium. 

Just being in this thread has helped me remember how diligent I was for my daughter with her food.  It has inspired me to get cooking for sweet Connor!  I pulled some of the zuchinni and carrot to add to his spaghetti sauce tonight and then mini-meatballs are next on the agenda.  It's just so nice to have some freetime to do the cooking.  (And I LOVE the kitchen smell).

Oh, and I gave him fingers of toast at lunch and he tried to shove the whole bit in his mouth.  He did better when I pulled them into smaller pieces.  Any thoughts?  Should I keep trying the fingers? He liked them smeared with a broccoli/potato puree he can't stand on it's own.  Silly boy!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 17, 2012, 23:08:22 pm
It's such a labor of love to make up 20 little meatballs standing over the stove, turning them here and there and burning my fingertips in the process.

Yeah- that too!! AND i can never be sure they're cooked all the way through!! Buy some sillicon mini muffin tins (we get them in sets of 12 muffins each) and put them in that. I make heaps of muffins from the same website too. I found the sillicon best for non-stickness and clean up.

I haven't done fritters yet, but should.

I'd suggest erica to get the ingredients together and try to do a few recipes in a day, or try a different recipe each night/couple of days. Freeze them all (I usually keep a couple in the fridge for the next day fresh) and then for not much work- you end up with heaps to have in the freezer. THe recipes make heaps. I do a whole bunch of cooking then use the freezer stash... it's a pain when i run out!

I like the broccoli/potato puree idea!! I also add frozen spinach to as much as i can to push up the green factor!

On the gagging- is he bringing up food- as in vomiting? If not i'd keep offering the sticks of toast for a bit to see if he gets used to it- the gagging should teach him- hey man, too far!! How wide are the bits? I offer essentially half pieces of toast with the crusts off- so wide enough that he can't jab them right to the back of his mouth...

If he's distressed, or bringing up food then you could offer him smaller bits, perhapf squares? or whatever!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 17, 2012, 23:40:14 pm
Oh- and a question ladies.. Hamish has a piece of fruit at each meal.. including lunch now... is this ok? So we have the following across the day- if you could have a look and see if you reckon it's ok?

Breakfast:
1 weetbix (bit of milk)
1 piece of fruit
3 tbs (roughly) natural yoghurt

Lunck: (only doing this for a week
A muffin, or potato pancake or something.... usually 3 mini muffins, and 2 pancakes.. or 2 pieces of toast and avocado... something like that
2 sticks of cheese
a piece of fruit

Dinner:
I try to have meat- so a few meatballs, some pasta bolognaise, something like that...
some vegetables
possibly a stick of cheese f he hasn't had it eslewhere
a piece of fruit.

Is that an ok sort of day? It was simpler when i just wanted him to eat ANYTHING... now i'm having to sort of menu plan! And some days the kid just keeps eating!!

Advice appreciated!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 18, 2012, 00:06:00 am
Looks good to me. He really does eat a lot doesn't he? Some of those are adult size portions.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 18, 2012, 01:09:27 am
I know... and the days he doesn't eat as much are getting fewer... i'm just going with 'keep offerring till he refuses'.. almost.. some of that hits the floor... so i guess 1/4 drops? you know how it is... He still eats 3feeds of milk reliably...

I often say to myself that i won't be offerring him more than that till he's like 5!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on February 18, 2012, 03:24:00 am
Looks good to me too. I found F was eating HEAPS around 8 - 10 months. She was getting mobile then too, so perhaps that's why. Then she didn't eat much for what seemed like ages - almost a month I think (lots of teething possibly contributed?) and now she's back to it again :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 18, 2012, 06:11:39 am
YEah- i've heard of a few babies being like that- i figure that if he eats more now then stops it's ok...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 18, 2012, 10:27:04 am
Katy, Hamish and my DS could enter an eating contest together :)

When DS was around Hamish's age I was quite worried about the amount he was eating, hunting down portion sizes etc I think he was eating ten times the amount of fruit he 'should' have been eating! Now I wish I hadn't worried.  He just eats a lot.  At breakfast he can easily eat a whole cup of muesli (made into finger food balls) plus a banana, a kiwi and a cup of blueberries....and 1.5hrs later he's ready for his snack, 6 fruit pancakes and a full mango.  Although he does then go 3 hrs before lunch :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 18, 2012, 10:36:59 am
Cool- i won't worry then.. i figure he'd stop when he'd had enough! we do get to that eventually sometimes!!! 6 fruit pancakes and a whole mango sounds like hamish!! We introduced lunch this week and it hasn't made a dent on his dinner!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: squeakersmum on February 18, 2012, 15:20:39 pm
Ben used to eat A LOT. He slowed down once he hit about 20 months. That's why Abi eating next to nothing is so bizarre to me :)

Although - success again yesterday (and even video proof for DH) with sweet potato and lentil curry with rice! Yay!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 18, 2012, 19:28:21 pm
sweet potato and lentil curry with rice
Sounds totally yummy!
DS likes curry but still won't eat rice.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: squeakersmum on February 18, 2012, 20:12:38 pm
Oh dear...back to blueberries and peas today ::) Oh well, you can't win them all :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on February 19, 2012, 03:35:05 am
I remember taking a list to my doctor with the amount of food my daughter would eat in one day and asking him if it was normal.  She would eat TONS of food.  He kind of laughed at me and just reminded me that they do stop when they are done (as long as we watch for the signs).  Hamish sounds like her!

The fritter were a huge hit with C last night.  He scarfed down his, finished some of mine, and eat my daughters (she wasn't keen).  He loved them dipped in apple sauce.  Maybe as a result, he had a great night of sleep.

The gagging isn't vomiting - it's just like "oops, too much too big out out!"  I"ll try wider toast to see how it is. 

I did do a lot of cooking today for him: chicken meatballs (baking them was super easy on a cookie sheet), spaghetti sauce, and some oatmeal.  It is good to do a bunch at once, Katy. 

Adventures in dining!  It is so rewarding that he can feed himself a whole meal.  It means tonight I actually got to enjoy my own soup HOT instead of spooning in mush to his sweet little mouth. 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 19, 2012, 05:15:28 am
ha ha!! YEs- sounds like hamish... Great doing the bunch of cooking!! I've been spoilt by BLW- it's great, you are MEANT to leave them to it and eat your own meal!! And- great if he's not vomiting- hamish often gags, it doesn't deter him!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: brookmom on February 28, 2012, 16:29:48 pm
Hi!  New to BLW....been trying for a couple of weeks.. So far LO has had avacado, bananas, cucumber, broccoli, steamed carrots, egg yolk (not a big fan), steamed apple. So far so good. I want to try her with some meat. Any tips of how to prepare chicken? Not sure if I should just bake it or grill it........

Hoping there are still folks around on this thread!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on February 28, 2012, 18:48:46 pm
I made the Annabel Karmel turkey sliders (but did it with chicken as I didn't have any turkey mince) and DD loved them. They are slightly crispy on the outside from being baked or lightly fried and then soft and smooth on the inside, so easy to pick up, and easy to eat.  I didn't bother with the rolls, I just served them as finger food.

http://www.annabelkarmel.com/recipes/new-finger-foods/turkey-chicken-sliders

yesterday I made Lemonthyme's mini meatloaf recipe from her blog - will be giving them to DD tomorrow.  I made this with beef mince though as I was cooking a spaghetti bolognaise for our dinner so just used some of the ingredients from that.

http://mamacook.blogspot.com/2012/01/turkey-mini-meatloaves-for-babies-and.html

And cooking them in a mini muffin dish is a revelation! No more rolling meatballs or shaping meatloaves for me!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 28, 2012, 22:03:22 pm
And cooking them in a mini muffin dish is a revelation! No more rolling meatballs or shaping meatloaves for me!

This is why we need people who have worked in the food industry!! I'd never thought of it before!! AND it gives a pretty consistent portion which is nice...

I'll have to check out the 'sliders'
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on February 28, 2012, 22:33:54 pm
Hi brookmom, I made chicken meatballs for my LO and he likes those a lot.  He also likes beef stew (I make it super thick and it's messy as a finger food as I do puree it a bit first). 

And I agree - baking the meatballs is amazing!  I have to pick up a mini muffin dish.  I just plopped mine on a cookie sheet but it was awesomely easy. 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 28, 2012, 23:05:39 pm
Steaming or casseroling (without the salty stuff) chicken makes it nice and tender without a tough outside.

Colby ate peanut butter on bread today and had great fun. I took some pics. Will try to post them soon.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 28, 2012, 23:28:50 pm
Hey- i've been starting hamish on sandwiches.. but don't want to use butter- what toppings could i try do you think? I already have tried peanut butter, that's ok.. anything else?

And my personal reccommendation is to get a couple of silicon mini muffin pans, they are much less 'stick' than the non stick ones. AND easier to clean! They were more expensive, but it think worth it. You need to put them on an oven tray (like a cookie sheet i guess) but i like them... The other ones are fine too if you're not into silicon!! I just had to buy them new!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 28, 2012, 23:33:23 pm
Mayo can be good to help bind stuff like tuna and chicken together. What about spreading mashed avocado on the bread? Marmite?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 28, 2012, 23:44:21 pm
isn't marmite/vegemite too salty? I hate the stuff!! BUT- me hating it isn't the point...

I might try some good no sugar mayo... tuna and mayo in a sort of paste might be a hit! he ate a tin of tuna the other day at nanny's and could have had another 2!!! LOVED it!

It's shopping day today so i can get some of this stuff- and as DH is home with what i think is the man flu (hoping it isn't he actual flu or we'll be in real trouble) i might get to go alone!! How will i manage to shop without my little helper to mouth everything i pick up!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on February 29, 2012, 00:20:10 am
Well I just put the tiniest bit of marmite on so the salt is insignificant (I think) although if you aren't putting butter it would probably be hard to only put a smidge without it being too dry.
Why do you want to avoid butter btw? What about olive oil?
Enjoy your shopping trip!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 29, 2012, 02:00:48 am
Avoiding the butter for the salt- i could use unsalted- but that's rock hard in the fridge.. Do you guys in the UK keep your real butter in the fridge or in a cupboard? Here it's a fridge thing.... I could try some olive oil... something to wet it a bit!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on February 29, 2012, 02:43:11 am
C likes apple sauce or smushed pears on toast.  I haven't made sandwiches yet, but I do use avocado for my daughter.  We also buy some soft swiss cheese that spreads (it's low in salt) and that makes things nice and creamy!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: katie80 on February 29, 2012, 02:47:51 am
I often spread bread with cream cheese/avocado for Claire.  We also do sun-butter here (made from sunflower seeds).  She loves that.  Have only given it plain to Graham; should really try some toppings!

We have a 'butter bell' for our unsalted butter.  It's a little cup that you put the butter in and then turn it upside down in a dish of water.  The water acts like a seal to keep it fresh (for a couple weeks or so; we have no problem using it in that amount of time ;)) and it is safe to leave out so it stays soft.
http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-284-Stoneware-Butter-Keeper/dp/B0000VLURQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1330483531&sr=8-2
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 29, 2012, 04:09:31 am
Wow- i've never even heard of that!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: brookmom on February 29, 2012, 18:36:21 pm
yesterday i took ground beef and combined it with grated carrot, egg yolk, and quick oats and made little meat patties. Popped them into a mini muffin tin and baked at 400 for 15 minutes. Going to try them for lunch today with Brook! Hoping she likes them!! thanks for the tips!

 I'm not yet comfortable to just give her what we eat just yet....... what are some good intro spices??? thanks!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 29, 2012, 20:54:13 pm
he ate a tin of tuna
Watch out for salt there Katy.  Canned tuna is very high in salt.  I used to only let DS have a couple of teaspoons of it even though he would happily have eaten the whole can.  The tuna in oil is better than that in brine but it is still very high in salt.

I keep unsalted butter in the fridge but I chop a chunk off and keep it in a small air tight plastic container, just enough for about two days.  I don't know if that would be ok where you are though!

some sandwich filling ideas
canned mackerel in mayo (again watch out for salt)
very small amount of shop bought pate (or make own unsalted or a vegi sort if you don't like livers)
grilled cheese - this works well with regular bread or pitta, grill the cheese to melting throw on any extras like tomato slices or spring onion etc and close the sandwich whilst the cheese is still hot, this way it all sticks together.  Leave to cool before serving though.  A less messy sandwich.
hard boiled egg mashed up with mayo or creme fraiche to bind
taramasalata (again watch for salt levels)
humous (salt again or make your own salt free at home)

Sorry I wasn't in time for your shopping trip but maybe you can try these at a later date :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 29, 2012, 21:56:00 pm
Yes... i did think of the salt with the tuna... it was in oil though, not brine...  :-\

THanks for the sandwich ideas! I think i'll try to limit the salt on the sandwiches as the bread itself has salt...A little Vegemite on toast might be a good idea though...  :P (that's a little person vomiting.. i HATE vegemite!!)

Some intro spices that i've used:

Pepper, paprika (mild and smoked), korma curry paste mixed with yoghurt (it's a mild curry), ginger, cinnamon

Basically i've tried to use as many spices that we eat in our diet as we can. I haven't used many that have actual heat- but if you have them as part of your diet- and your LO doesn't have tummy troubles you should use them too! Your LO will soon enough let you know if it's too spicy!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on February 29, 2012, 22:41:10 pm
Yes... i did think of the salt with the tuna... it was in oil though, not brine..
I'm looking at a can in oil now
the salt is 1g per 100g and the can is 139g (drained) so a full can is 1.39g of salt
daily guidance is to not exceed 1g per day for under 12 months.
If he eats bread or cheese the same day (or a pancake or muffin made with self raising flour) it could reach quite worrying levels.
I don't want to sound harsh, just want you to be aware.  Like I said I wouldn't have let DS have more than a couple of teaspoons of it when he was Hamish's age because he was a big eater like Hamish so across the day there would likely be either bread, pancake or muffin and some cheese too, all of which have salt.  Any canned or processed foods contain pretty high levels of salt so I would limit them to very small amounts.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on February 29, 2012, 23:59:38 pm
I don't want to sound harsh, just want you to be aware.

No- i'm really interested in this information!!! I'll be really careful from now on!! I was out at mums and didn't have much to give him (we thought we'd be home.. ) and mum doesn't eat bread or anything, and dad's started light and easy- so they have NO FOOD in the house... I'm terrible at maths (don't get me wrong, did a decent enough level of maths at school- but learning algebra and triginometry actually doesn't equip you for the real world unless you are literally a rocket scientist!!) so sometimes working out these things fast hurts my brain!!

Oh- also- i've been doing a lot of baking for him- not adding salt o sugar to anything.. but when i looked t the SR flour i noticed that it has soduim in it... Does this make an impact, or is the sodium in the amounts that would be spread through the batch of baked goods not have an impact?

I just like to be aware of what's in the foods so i can make an informed decision...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 01, 2012, 09:14:23 am
I was out at mums and didn't have much to give him
This was always the problem for us too.  If I knew we were going to be at mum's for a meal or snack I'd take stuff with us but there were quite a few times we ended up havin gto leave when I didn't yet want to just to get home in time for DS to eat.  My mum ALWAYS offered to give him canned tuna to which I had to say that the amount I could offer would never fill him up (couple of teaspoons for a nice taste and some protein great but what's going to fill his belly?), she'd also offer beans on toast, pre-packed rice with vegetables...basically every thing was processed and salt high (and she has high blood pressure!).  I do know exactly your difficulty with this.

Once you've worked out how much of each food type is 'safe' you don't have to do maths any more.  So a regular size can of tuna just use say a quarter, this takes up around one third of the daily salt allowance.  Then you still have space in the day to allow for a bit of something else (pesto on pasta or a little gravy on meat, half a slice of bread or a chunk of cheese).
I never gave tuna and baked beans in the same day for example.  A SMALL can of reduced salt baked beans would still be very high in salt.  Again I never allowed more than a couple of teaspoons (max half a small can) so that half a slice of toast could be offered too, it was never enough to fill him up.  It was better when I made my own, pre-cooked beans in water drained and rinsed then throw in tom puree and some herbs or spices instead of salt and let him stuff himself :)

SRF does have sodium it can add up if LO eats lots and lots although it's no where near what you'd find in the processed or pre-packed foods.  Each pancake has a very small amount in and I'd say home made pancakes are preferable to bread in the UK as here bread is higher in salt than many other countries.  DS would eat 6 or 8 pancakes in one go and I never worried about that where as bread I had to limit to half slice.

I think with a lot of LOs this age the salt intake wouldn't be such a worry because many of them eat so little of each thing offered.  With a big eater it is more important to keep tabs on it.
It's great now mine is over 1yr as his salt allowance has doubled and I am a lot freer with things, esp bread and cheese.

hth
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 01, 2012, 10:07:23 am
Very much so! My guy is a big eater. His bread is a low sodium one... sour dough (it's horrible!! But he eats it right up!) and i had some tuna that was much lower in salt today and mixed it with a little bit of mayo (low sodium again) and sour cream- and apple... and spread it on the sandwich. Was very impressed! But yes- he is a big eater and ate the whole sandwich- which was almost 2 small slices of bread.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 01, 2012, 10:12:58 am
It's confusing then that the health visitors say to just feed your children what you eat (with no added salt or sugar) but yet even a really healthy meal would exceed the salt recommendations...

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 01, 2012, 10:15:18 am
It's true!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 01, 2012, 13:39:10 pm
It's confusing then that the health visitors say to just feed your children what you eat (with no added salt or sugar) but yet even a really healthy meal would exceed the salt recommendations...
Yes I agree.  Although I see the point about giving baby what we have as it gets them used to the flavours and textures of regular family food.  I ate some pretty odd meals the first few months of solids and have altered the way I cook to accommodate him too.

There was a report I saw about a high number of babies being poorly from too high salt levels in their food, it seemed to indicate parents were feeding beans on toast too much.  I don't have the link for it though.  I don't consider beans on toast the BEST meal but in terms of a very easy and very quick and convenient meal (and very cheap if budget is a big issue) I think it isn't that bad for an adult yet wouldn't be good to give a LO every day, especially the big eaters (fine if they are only experimenting and flicking the beans across the room and just eat one or two though!).
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 01, 2012, 17:09:15 pm
I guess that's the thing - just being mindful to give variety to achieve a healthy balance.

I don't want to end up being someone that ties themselves up in knots about it so am just trying to cook what  I can from fresh and not add salt and sugar, buy good organic brands of baby stuff when I am buying things for convenience, and essentially working on the basis that across the week we are getting the right balance.... (Meanwhile try not to judge people who are feeding their 8 mo packets of adult crisps and chocolate biscuits! Lol! :P)

Just reminded myself of that programme about the world's heaviest woman, whose grandchildren were filmed being fed burger and fries at 3 months old.   :o Absolutely awful...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 01, 2012, 19:14:33 pm
We use olive oil spread rather than butter normally so yes I keep it in the fridge. When I use real butter I would just get it out and cut what I needed into thin slices 10mins before so it was spreadable by the time I want it.

Tbh I probably don't worry about the salt in bread and butter etc as much was I should.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 01, 2012, 20:09:05 pm
grandchildren were filmed being fed burger and fries at 3 months old
You're joking surely?

I saw a programme about babies being born obese.  I was almost in tears that these LOs were already set for life on a bad track.  The mothers had eaten so much junk that the LOs were obese at birth and ADDICTED to fat, salt and sugar!

give variety to achieve a healthy balance
totally
cook what  I can from fresh and not add salt and sugar
and that
across the week we are getting the right balance
and that

Tbh I probably don't worry about the salt in bread and butter etc as much was I should.
Ali I doubt Colby is eating enough to go over on salt from bread and butter or cheese etc just yet.
Only gannets like mine and Katies DSs need watching on the salt from relatively 'healthy' foods.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 01, 2012, 20:18:59 pm
By the way - I was saying the other day about making Lemonthyme's meatloaf recipe, and Sofia had them for dinner tonight. Well I only defrosted and heated 3 of them to see what she thought, I think she'd have eaten 6 if I had them ready for her... Big hit!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 01, 2012, 21:29:49 pm
they are great hey! Hamish is a massive meat/meatloaf fan!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 01, 2012, 21:40:40 pm
I've just posted a recipe for a vegetarian pate.
You might be interested as a sandwich spread
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=62087.15#lastPost

I've actually only just made this and it's still chilling so I can't say how it tastes chilled but I tried it warm and it was nice.

I'll be making chicken pate in the coming days so will try to remember to post a recipe for that too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 01, 2012, 21:55:52 pm
I might have to make those meatloaf things, I bet Cadan would like them too.
Creations, I'm sure you're right about the quantities now. Hopefully he'll be munching more soon.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on March 01, 2012, 22:46:01 pm
Today I was so frustrated with making food for C.  We're preparing to go out of town for the weekend and it's a chore in itself to get everything ready for him and remember to bring enough stuff.

HOWEVER -I then thought about my nephew (who we are going to visit) and his eating habits.  I am so thankful that I am putting in the time and love to prepare good food for both my children.  My nephew is 5 and is so sweet - but such a hard boy to feed.  Only plain  noodles (only one shape, too), only strawberries, and only mac and cheese (Kraft, not homemade).  There are a few other things he'll eat but not much.  It stuns my SIL that my 3 yr old eats whatever we do and will try most anything once.  I'm sure it's because of our attitude toward food in my home and the blood/sweat/and tears I put in to making her food as a baby! 

So, just when I was ready to give up I had a sudden burst of energy.  That's not to say we don't have a couple of convenient things around the house, but overall it feels so good to be starting on the right food (even if it makes me cranky sometimes!).

Oh, and the carrot fritters that were a huge hit a few weeks ago have become projectile objects this week.  So much for that idea.  GRR.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 02, 2012, 01:35:46 am
Insane!! Great to hear that you've started making more stuff Erica! IT is a pain thinking of how much to bring!

I;l try the carrot fritters- you should try putting something like sour cream or yoghurt on them. We made some zucchini and sweet potato fritters and they weren't overly popular.. but then i put some full fat sour cream and a little bit of garam masala on it and he loved them!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on March 02, 2012, 02:14:48 am
C liked the fritters the first time smothered in applesauce (didn't care for the sour cream).  I will try yogurt next time - good idea!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 02, 2012, 03:12:32 am
Hamish gets his love of sour cream from his mummy!! ;D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on March 02, 2012, 05:11:57 am
I'll be making chicken pate in the coming days so will try to remember to post a recipe for that too.

I made chicken pate yesterday and F has just devoured it on crackers for lunch, with tomato wedges and cucumber sticks. So I'll be interested to see your recipe LT. I used chicken livers with plenty of olive oil, garlic and a splash of balsamic vinegar - yum. No butter as F is still MPI.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 02, 2012, 22:21:30 pm
chicken pate (no salt)
reply 26 on
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=62087.15#lastPost

This is a butter recipe and I think it's pretty high fat.  Fine for LOs but perhaps not so fine for me!  I'm going to try another recipe maybe next week with lower fat.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 02, 2012, 22:23:37 pm
Fine for LOs but perhaps not so fine for me!

Ha ha- i sometimes think that!! Not that a little dairy fat will kill me- but i relly don't need the fat in his full fat yoghurt that he has... or his milk! Yummy though!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: brookmom on March 08, 2012, 17:12:54 pm
can someone repost the link for the above mentioned carrot fritters??

I took some of the pureed sweet potato that I had previously made and mixed some diced cooked chicken into it and made little patties and cooked them. Very messy but she seemed to like them more than the roasted sweet potato sticks!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 08, 2012, 20:47:23 pm
When i make fritters i simply grate the vegies and mix in one egg- you don't need much- just to bind it. Then you can fry them in the pan- with or without a little oil..

Addind an egg to the mix can often help things to bind together!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: eshea on March 09, 2012, 02:43:02 am
My fritters were grated carrot, zuchinni, some minced onion (I think I had white), all mixed with whatever pancake mix you make.  I think they were too doughy so they didn't reheat too well.  Next time I would make them much thinner and crispier. 

Tonight's hit: hard boiled egg with a tomato cheese sauce.  Gobble gobble!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 09, 2012, 04:50:55 am
The other night's massive success that i was actually nearly in tears over (I had really nothing like food- Hamish hadn't eaten any meat for several days, it was one of those terrible mummy moments)- I mixed one egg- our final egg- with 2 cubes of frozen spinach, half a tin of salmon and some grated cheese and essentially scrambled it. I thought it was going to be CRAPPO (hence the near tears) and he LOVED IT!! THe only trouble was he struggled getting it to his mouth fast enough!!! Daddy had to help him a bit with a spoon!! (we do that a bit now- now that he eats so much with his hands i figure a little spoon action is fine)

I also had to share some of our 'adventures with nanny' from the other day. Mum was looking after hamish in  a motel room in sydney while we saw a play there. Hamish WOULD NOT go to bed- so she gave him half the milk i had left him. Still no sleeping- well this would be BECAUSE IT WAS COWS MILK!!! I had it for the cereal the following day!! HE must have thought half a bottle of cows milk was the strangest thing he's ever had!! Luckily e didn't really NEED it... so he wasn't deprived.

That and the next morning when i was giving him breakfast he eats his weetbix and fruit, and i spoon him his yoghurt (yoghurt is a spoon food- you've seen the pics). Well this time my grandmother was there with us (it was a family affair ::) ) and she said in all seriousness 'it's good to see him eating off a spoon there love'- she feels he 'needs to learn to eat off a spoon'!!! AAHH!! ANd as discussed before- it's NOT as if the boy is starving here!!!!

Hard boiled egg sounds good!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 09, 2012, 10:36:35 am
TMI but we got our first solid (as in A soft sausage not liquid) poop today so I guess he is consuming a reasonable quantity somehow. Shame he chose 5.15am to do it.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 09, 2012, 10:45:17 am
Lol... yep I've been noticing a big difference the last couple of weeks.

I still haven't tried Sofia with eggs... we've had such a weird couple of weeks with her being unsettled that I've not wanted to rock the boat further. Hopefully things are just about getting back to normal now, so will try her soon.

Big hit yesterday was the Annabel Karmel Salmon rissoles. Absolutely stuffed her face with them, and particularly enjoyed them squished up with peas. :)

And I made a pork mince version of the meatloaves, again very well received. Such a little carnivore!!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 09, 2012, 11:35:27 am
Hamish loves meat too! It's weird when their poos change!! They are neater though... (stinkier... but neater)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 14, 2012, 18:33:38 pm
Hi all! Haven't been on this thread for a while. My girls are both meat lovers! Just like me and DH! Sophia actually picks out the meat from her plate now ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 14, 2012, 19:20:25 pm
Ali mentioned something about porridge fingers - does anyone have the recipe?

And what else can I do with meat to make it finger food-ish? Needs to be soft and breakable rather than a slice of meat (which she just sucks but can't tear into because of only having 3 teeth!)  I've done the meatloaves / meatballs and salmon fishcakes... Any other ideas? :)
 
Rach. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 14, 2012, 20:55:05 pm
3tbsp porridge oats (not the instant sorts)
3tbsp milk

Mix together in a small shallow dish and allow to soak a bit.  Flatten top.  Put in microwave for 2 minutes.  When done, remove and cut into slices while still hot.  Allow to cool and feed to baby.  You can put dried fruit in it after the initial mix and push them into the mixture before nuking too.

Now- i'm really not that bad in the kitchen, some may say i'm good in the kitchen- but for some reason it took me 4 goes to get this right! I think i used the wrong sized container, then didn;t soak them for long enough... you ladies may be better than me!!

On the meat/finger food bit. I made the other day for hamish some chicken tender schnitzels... in that i got a tenderloin of a chicken breast and the bashed it out into a really thin schnitzel.. crumbed it using some parmesan and then cooked it in the pan with a little oil. It tasted great- BUT hamish was in a bad mood and didn't eat it... ::) so not a glowing recommendation... BUT i think it was quite soft- especially as i cut it across the grain...

Also i cooked some other chicken tenderloin pieces in the oven in some tinned tomatoes- so essentially poached them. THey were very soft!

I haven't tried it yet as it's more of a winter thing... but meat in the slow cooker should go very soft i'd imagine? If you don't have a slow cooker then done in a casserole...

Also i do chicken thigh fillets off Lemonthyme's website- marinaded in a natural/greek yoghurt and mild curry paste mixture, then baked till cooked and brown. I then cut these into slices for hamish and he usually gets enough of it down. LOVES it in fact!! Eats off all the yoghurt and curry paste at least! http://mamacook.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/easy-chicken-tikka-for-babies-and.html

And have you offerred bolognaise sauce on pasta- that's a MASSIVE MASSIVE hit here..
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 14, 2012, 21:11:35 pm
What about lamb koftas? I don't have a recipe though I'm sure you can look one up.

Colby is getting more and more down him these days. Still not huge amounts but definitely an improvement.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 14, 2012, 21:15:36 pm
Rachel - DD has 0 teeth but gets by ok with some meats.  I gave her a breaded chicken goujon last week which she sort of sucked on and then ignored.  I had a brainwave to cut it into smaller chunks and she ate the lot.  Any sort of fish is ok too.  What about a beef burger?  It's not as dense to get through as a slab of meat.  Oooh, yeah, Ali's right.  Lamb koftas are a winner here for the same reason as burgers.  Annabel Karmel has a good recipe for them in her fussy eaters book.

Oh, and WHY haven't I posted on this thread sooner??!!  I've been BLWing DD for almost 9 months by now!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 14, 2012, 21:17:50 pm
We were still getting patchy days until probably more like 8 months or so... heaps fewer everything on the floor days after that...

Ok- cutest thing hamish currently does- I let him choose the bag of grapes at the supermarket (yes... i have one child- i have time to offer choices of fruit to purchase). I hold up to the trolley the black and the white grapes (purple and green) and he looks carefully (very carefully- it's a serious business!) and chooses. THEN he often launches his mouth at the side of the bag and tries to eat a grape or two THROUGH the bag!! We then often have some tense moments as mummy struggles to open the bag (sealed) and bite grapes in half to feed to him in the trolley! Very funny...

ON grapes- when can i start offerring them whole? I cut them up currently... in half....

Amanda- i noticed when you said you had the BLW cookbook you hadn't been on here before!! Welcome!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 14, 2012, 21:22:14 pm
Welcome. Amanda. You seem very knowledgeable. No doubt ill be picking your brain. :)

I think I cut grapes for cadan until around 12mo when he just helped himself one day and I thought what the heck
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 14, 2012, 21:24:37 pm
They are still coming out almost intact at the other end... so perhaps i should wait a little while... He LOVES them!! Ate them like a man possesed yesterday! 'HMM Hmm hmm hmm" as he ate!! I had my hand resting on the high chair and he turned it over to make sure i wasnt' hiding any on him!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 14, 2012, 21:27:55 pm
Thanks - koftas is a great idea, I'll look up the recipe, and I also like the sound of the chicken tikka (YUM!)  but not sure if she will get much of the chicken down. I have offered her very soft cooked chicken before and she sucks the hell out of it and gets a bit down but not much.

I've done bolognaise on pasta, she loves that and has it quite often.

Ali - same here. Sofia only really found her appetite in the last 3 weeks so just after 8m.

And lol on the grape choosing Katy. He knows what he likes! I'm still very scared of grapes and choking, so I tend to pick the flesh out of the skin (halved) before giving it to Sofia... Will try and be a bit braver with our next punnet of grapes!

Rach. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 14, 2012, 21:30:54 pm
so I tend to pick the flesh out of the skin (halved) before giving it to Sofia.

Princess sophia strikes again!! :P (I don't really think she;s a princess... ) you should just give it a go- it's unlikely that a half grape would totally occlude her airway anyway!! AND it's really funny watching as the grapes shoot across the room they are slippery little buggers!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 14, 2012, 21:57:11 pm
I still cut grapes in half, but then DD still doesn't have teeth so would be unable to properly bite through the skin.

And pick away!  I'm not really an expert, just a bit further along the road :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 14, 2012, 22:12:19 pm
do you mean amanga that she has no molars? Or no teeth at all...?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 14, 2012, 22:14:55 pm
No teeth - period.  Gummy bear.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 14, 2012, 22:18:16 pm
Rach - Sophia only has 2 teeth but she manages a lot of meat. Guess it just takes practice. She'll have burgers, chicken off a drumstick, any meat from the slow cooker (I remember you have one, right?), salmon, chicken patties, chicken nuggets... Just keep offering!

She's eating so much now and with very little mess. Its just incredible :)

The one thing we struggle with is things like yoghurt. She won't let me help her with the spoon so its not very successful :-\
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 14, 2012, 22:24:45 pm
I think yoghurt can take time.  Are you offering loaded spoons?
We got to the stage where now DD is happy to open her mouth for me to help with yoghurt, but I figure she realises it'll go in quicker that way, but still wants to do it herself too :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 14, 2012, 22:57:15 pm
Amanda- i love it!! I hope she doesn't get them all at once in a week or something!! (Or that might be good- a week of hell versus months of teething..)

We have yoghurt every day- i'm a creature of habit... breakfast is always yoghurt (and weetbix and a piece of fruit... yes... boring mummy- you can tell why i jumped at the oat fingers!). Initially i would offer the spoon and he would grab it and put it in his mouth (the first time we tried with hands on the tray.. fun- but messy... )- while i held the end. But i figure that he eats EVERYTHING else with his hands and feeds himself that i can help him with this. I still let him grab the spoon- but he is happy enough to let me feed him.

You could try as you get into 'summer' (this is how i refer to the english summer... i'm not sure it really deserves the title :P ) you could make 'iced lollies' out of yoghurt and fruit? Is that what you call them? I call them ice blocks... not sure if an iced lolly is a specific kind of lce block or not...

I found these things called ooby oohs (or something).. they look like cheerios, but taste AWFUL!! No sugar, and hardly any salt at all!! Hamish thinks they're great! I'l be able to pop a few on his tray while i get other stuff ready and he can work on picking them all up and eating them- very tricky!! Takes AGES!! Hopefully he won't ok out they're the most bland thing ever... 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 14, 2012, 23:14:56 pm
what else can I do with meat to make it finger food-ish?
Not sure if it is specifically meat dishes you want or if it is protein to balance out the diet?
DS gummed on meat before he had teeth but wasn't a big meat eater until maybe 12 months so I increased the beans we have and make little bean or lentil burgers/fritter type things or falafal.  I use the canned beans and lentils in water, no salt or sugar, they are SO convenient, drain and rinse then throw into whatever you are making (stew, curry etc) or whizz with some other flavours and fry off in patties.  I made some black-eyed-virgin-Mary burgers this week which he loved (black eyed beans, tom puree, dash of Worcestershire sauce, white pepper, egg, flour - all whizzed then fried - served with mint mayo dip and Thai sweet chilli mayo dip).

Grapes (and similar size/shaped food, like cherry toms) I now give whole, bare in mind DS is 14 months.  I've heard scary choke stories of much older kids choking on whole grapes and even halved grapes!  So I think caution is a good thing but even adults can choke.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 15, 2012, 06:28:04 am
I try offering loaded spoons but she just wants to snatch it out of my hand. She won't let me help her with it! Do you give baby yoghurts or adult ones? They baby ones I find are so full of sugar.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 15, 2012, 08:55:35 am
I've never given yoghurt aimed at babies or children they do all seem very high in sugar.  I got onken natural which has nothing added at all, I could only find it in big pots though so you'd have to decant to a small reusable tub if you wanted to go out and about with it, not quite as convenient as the individual pots.
I prefer natural yoghurt anyway but if you like it sweeter or with fruit you could add steamed/pureed fruit.
I noticed that yoghurt wasn't good for DS's silent reflux though so it's not a regular in his diet.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 15, 2012, 09:17:32 am
Mine is called jalna- it;s a pot set greek style no added anything yoghurt- full fat. No flavours or anything. Hamish eats it straight and loves it- never minded tangy things... I never give him the baby yoghurt. Why they market the stuff that;s full of sugar i never know!! Why encourage extra sweet things! Sometimes i put some bits of prunes in it, or pears- but i rarely stir them through as such, i just give it to him on the spoon like i would have it- in chunks.. NEW PEOPLE PLEASE NOTE- This is probably not the best idea- the BLW book suggests not poking little chunks of food into babies mouths.. mostly i give him small chunks, or soft things...

Oh- and yoghurt is an at home- usually pre-shower food. Even on a spoon hamish likes to investigate it thoroughly!!

Ok- another question.. I think i've been stressing myself out over lunch- i'm trying to ensure that he has a fully rounded meal at each meal (with varying levels of success). BUT is it fine if lunch is just a serve of yoghurt say (if he didn't have it for breakfast) and a piece of fruit? Is this a fine lunch? Keeping in mind that he pretty much still has 4 BF a day? (and 3 meals..). At dinner i try to give him a protien, carb, veg and fruit... sometimes miss something.. does this sound ok?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 15, 2012, 09:42:46 am
Katy, when I started out I was advised to consider the balance of food groups over a DAY or WEEK not a meal, and the amount of food too.  So I wouldn't worry at all if for example breakfast was all carbs and lunch all veg then evening meal just a chunk of protein iyswim.  I think on the whole it wouldn't be quite so split up as this but I don't think at this stage you need to balance every individual meal.
Esp when DS just started out, he ate lots but he didn't like a mixture of things, so it would be a plate of just two different veg and he might eat both or just all of one.  So long as I didn't offer exactly the same veg every day then across the week a variety would have gone in to balance the various vits and nutrients and give variety of flavour and texture for him to get used to.
hope this helps - it's really hard to make every meal totally balanced.

Even on a spoon hamish likes to investigate it thoroughly!!
Hamish does like his mess eh!  At one of the toddler groups I go to there is a messy play wher they have things like baked beans or cooked spaghetti in a massive tub and the LOs play with it, dive in, get covered head to foot.  If DS is hungry he just goes over and eats it, if he's not hungry he totally ignores it!  He isn't into messy play or messy food at all.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 15, 2012, 10:04:33 am
Great!! YEah- i never really have to worry that hamish is hypersensitive..!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 15, 2012, 10:34:22 am
OK! I need some quick ideas for a lunch that will loosen the bowels! S has been getting constipated and the daily prunes aren't working!

I guess I should get some natural yoghurt. We don't have any nice healthy yoghurt in Malta unfortunately ::) I know in England there are nice organic ones but not here!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 15, 2012, 10:41:28 am
You could make your own yoghurt.... I'll google around and see what i can see...

How about pears in the slow cooker? 2-3 hours on high... possibly if you did it with some sugar free prune juice (do they have such a thing?) Then you could give them cold or warm?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 15, 2012, 10:46:01 am
http://crunchyprogressiveparenting.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/homemade-yogurt-its-awesome-and-easy.html

Blog entry by Deb for making yoghurt at home...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 15, 2012, 10:48:30 am
I could give her some pear but I worry its not filling enough for lunch... Any veggies for constipation?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 15, 2012, 10:48:41 am
satsuma/clemantine/oranges move DS rather too much, I have to limit him to a couple of small segments which he shouts about because he loves them!
Also if DS is a little firm I avoid carrots and sweet potato for a few days, they really firm him up which is useful to know when he needs that!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 15, 2012, 11:05:57 am
Seen this?

http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/constip.htm
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 15, 2012, 11:09:57 am
Peas and sweetcorn go through pretty well Becky. And mushrooms.

I could be wrong but I thought dairy such as yoghurt was constipating no?

Colby had cream of mushroom soup yesterday and he loved it. We had to help him with the spoon but he ate a food 4tblspoons of it. And the mushroom chunks came out whole the other end in his morning poop. Which wasn't until 8.30 this morning rather than his previously favoured 5.30. :)

We tried fried egg white with bread and police oil spread with the egg yolk spread on it. It wasn't such a hit tbh. He seemed pretty frustrated.  :-\
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 15, 2012, 11:12:29 am
police oil? Is that peanut oil?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 15, 2012, 11:21:16 am
I was just wondering the same thing!!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 15, 2012, 11:22:16 am
Thanks will try some of those things!

Is runny egg yolk ok to give before 1year?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 15, 2012, 11:50:42 am
No- i've read well cooked egg till 12 months.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 15, 2012, 11:55:49 am
I think it's advised not to give runny yolk before a year.  I think it's a salmonella risk?  But in the UK there are lion marked eggs showing the hens are vaccinated against salmonella so I would expect the risk to be much lower with those eggs.  I still fully cooked eggs up to 12 months though as I'm a bit of a rule follower :)

DS really liked hard boiled eggs and fritatas (whisk egg dash of milk, put in a ramekin with grated cheese, a few veg, shove in the oven until well risen and cooked through, like a quiche but without pastry) and would eat an entire egg that way, but after a while he went off well cooked egg and wouldn't eat any sort.  He will now eat a runny yolk (14 months no though) but not too much white.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 15, 2012, 11:57:43 am
I still fully cooked eggs up to 12 months though as I'm a bit of a rule follower

I never would have guessed!! :P (i'm so a rule follower too... as you probably already know!!) Interesting about the lion brand eggs though!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: brookmom on March 15, 2012, 20:39:57 pm
this has not been a good food day in our house! I made baby pancakes - she liked to grab them but couldn't seem to get anywhere with them! Lunch was chicken fingers, which she wasn't interested and I tried to give her a piece of red pepper which she got mad about as it was raw and too hard!

hoping the chicken patties i am making for dinner will go over better! Somedays it seems like there is not a lot going in and its hard when she refuses anything off of a spoon!!! Eeek!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 15, 2012, 21:40:01 pm
Brookmum, how old is she? It will get better really quickly but it can be frustrating at first! Sophia eats huge meals now but when she started hardly anything went down at all.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: brookmom on March 15, 2012, 22:30:50 pm
hi - she is 8 months next week.....no teeth at all either!!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 15, 2012, 22:38:28 pm
Yoghurts - I've been really naughty this time and give DD the children's ones as I'm getting them for DS anyway.  I figure they're quite small and she only has 1 per day so the sugar content probably balances out as she's not having much else with refined sugar in it.

Runny eggs - I think you're meant to hold off on them until something bizarre like 5 YEARS, but can't remember where I saw it or why.  DD hasn't really had much in the way of egg (apart from omelette), but I've been giving DS runny eggs for the last few years and he's still with us ;)  Like I said, not sure of the reasoning and with the lion mark they should be salmonella free anyway if that's the issue.

I imagine police oil was meant to be olive oil, btw! :D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 15, 2012, 23:07:11 pm
something bizarre like 5 YEARS
That does sound really bizarre.  I'm sure it's 12 months.

Brookmom, I used to make (and still do) lots of stews or roasted veg dishes so the pieces were big and chunky but soft to eat.  My DS has never been into salad or raw veggies.  He won't entertain cucumber (even though I keep telling him it's like melon!) or raw peppers (which he shovels in when they are cooked) etc and he is now 14 months and has lots of teeth (but I never found lack of teeth held him back).  I wouldn't class him as a fussy eater at all as he has a very varied diet, but even now I still plan all meals based on what will suit him, the meal can include things I know he won't eat but always includes plenty I know he will eat too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 15, 2012, 23:54:35 pm
I think it's 12 months.. I did some googling.. the wholesomebabyfood website doesn't mention that they need to be cooked, but an australian guide does- and says it's fine to have them at 12 months. But i can't find a definitive sort of site (it's on babycentre... seems legit- but i prefer a government site- I honestly wasn't this rule based before children...). AND i'm sure the salmonella is actually quite low in even untreated eggs.

Brookmom- If you try to arrange your meals so that you are eating the same things- then if he doesn't want anything then no problem- you haven't wasted all of that time and energy!! (It is such a pain when you come up with something great- make it- and it all ends up on the floor!! ) Babies often get whims where they don't want to eat. Have you seen this site? Lots of great ideas: http://mamacook.blogspot.com.au/
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: snowbird on March 16, 2012, 00:12:22 am
Hey, going to jump back in again!  Katy, that's what we do - cook for the whole family and if LJ doesn't eat it, was still worth it!

We've been on and off with the amount LJ eats. For ages she didn't eat much at all and then she had various illnesses and teething which affected her. Now she is eating no end!  At points I wondered if I should be concerned but I wasn't particularly. Xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 16, 2012, 00:15:49 am
Oh- and on the cooking the same for all- i don't always do that at all, but i make sure that i don't get cranky with him if he does chuck it all on the floor as in some ways it's my own fault! I should be more organised and cook the same thing for all of us!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 16, 2012, 06:23:40 am
I don't always cook the same stuff for all of us but at least I'll give both girls the same thing. And often S will eat nearly as much or as much as DD1!! If food isn't ready by their dinner time I will keep a portion for the following day, so they're eating what we have but a day behind, so to speak. Only 2 teeth here but that doesn't stop her! Yesterday she had a whole chicken drumstick (meat off bone), home made chips and peas. She loves peas! Just devours them! ;D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 16, 2012, 08:22:57 am
FWIW our egg yolk on the toast was cooked I just mashed it down and spread it on like a paste. And yes sorry police oil was supposed to be olive oil (autocorrect).

Yesterday colby had 4 steamed carrot sticks, chicken and cauliflower for dinner and this morning he skipped his usual Wu poop! That'll be the carrots I guess. He is chowing down on the oat fingers. But I think 2mins in our powerful microwave is too much as they're a bit hard. Might try less tomorrow.

Cadan used to love peas. I would put them in a little pot and he'd eat them cold (cooked) in the shopping trolley as a snack. Beats Cheerios!

I rarely cook for colby or cadan I just pick out the stuff they can have. Although cadan eats what we eat now.

Oh dear, colby just gagged on the hard oat fingers and vomited really smelly sick. It actually made me heave to clean it up. He had drunk a lot of water too. And I had just changed him mid meal because he had poured half the sippy of cold water in his lap and down his tummy. He can do the sippy on his own already. :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 16, 2012, 11:38:28 am
I figured that the yolk was cooked actually- if only because organising a perfectly soft cooked egg in order to spread runny yolk on toast is too much effort!

Hamish isn't bad with the water- but still likes to spit a lot of it out.. I think when he's really thirsty he actually drinks it...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 16, 2012, 16:33:10 pm
Funny you should say that Katy as I had cooked mine and cadan's egg with a runny yolk and then he decided he wanted the potty and I had to leave them to help him out of his sleeper and they got overcooked. ::)

Still no poo from Colby. He mashed a banana all over me at a play group today as there was no high chair and I had to hold him at snack time.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 16, 2012, 21:01:32 pm
HOw long with no poo?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 16, 2012, 21:16:07 pm
I can't find where I read that about the eggs (it was when DS was a baby, mind you!) but one of the sites I spotted (think it was NHS or something like that) was warning about runny/uncooked eggs for babies AND toddlers, which certainly implied over 1y to me, but no other specific dates.  Perhaps they've relaxed it a bit in the last 4 years?!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 16, 2012, 21:25:30 pm
Interesting!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 16, 2012, 21:56:36 pm
It was only since yesterday but he *always*  goes first thing in the morning on the potty and this morning he didn't. All is well again now though as the carrots have exited at bedtime nappy change. :) at least I know he ate a lot.

Tonight we had corn on the cob and I was surprised at how many kernels a baby with no teeth was able to get off the cob and consume.

I did just check the Food Standards Agency and NHS websites and they do both say to cook eggs until the yoke is solid. The FSA says babies and toddlers and the NHS says babies and young children and it is in their birth to five section. They don't specify an age when you can serve it runny. But it is to avoid salmonella which as we were saying earlier is not so common. The NHS site also says to peel apples!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 16, 2012, 22:30:43 pm
Bah, I haven't got time to do that (apples, I mean)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: brookmom on March 17, 2012, 01:10:39 am
has anyone tried the beef and onion stew in the BLW cookbook? I am going to try my hand at making stew this weekend!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 17, 2012, 08:13:32 am
they do both say to cook eggs until the yoke is solid
OK I've gone from rule follower to rule breaker - it's runny yolk for us!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 17, 2012, 08:33:39 am
I was thinking runny yolk after 12 months.. but might see.. i might still cook it solid, but not panic too much if it's not perfect. Ok- i NEVER peel apples, i haven't heard of that one. Not that i OFTEN serve apple- although he has had a couple and gives it a good go! But i will sometimes grate them for him and i usually do it with the skin on! I thought it was more nutritious or something?

Brookemom- the stew sounds GREAT!! My guy quite likes onion!! I have a few stews ready to go in the freezer (i'm trying this whole meals prepared ready to go in the freezer..).

A creations- living on the edge!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 17, 2012, 09:03:18 am
The apple thing was grouped with the avoiding food poisoning. Maybe Listeria from soil or something. I think I'll just wash, that's all I would do with salad and tomatoes yk?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 17, 2012, 21:53:14 pm
wow, creations! ;)

DD loves Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food pork and cider stew (although I use sausages instead as I'm not a mad keen fan of normal pork), also the chicken stew from the same book.  Along with dumplings :D  And jacket potato...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 17, 2012, 21:58:43 pm
Sofia LOVES dumplings. Well if truth be known the whole family loves dumplings... I have to make loads and DH and Max fight over who gets the last one!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 17, 2012, 22:07:14 pm
Yum dumplings!!! I should really try to make some this winter!! I havent done it in the slow cooker yet....
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 17, 2012, 22:22:06 pm
They need longer in the slow cooker (obviously, it's slow...lol) and it's worth turning it up to high if you've had it on the low setting... beef stew with dumplings has been a regular feature on our winter menu, I think everyone will miss it as we head into spring and summer!

I need to find some good summer slow cooker recipes.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 18, 2012, 19:48:46 pm
ooh we are dumpling lovers too.
I think it was my dumplings that made DP fall in love with me :) hehe!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 18, 2012, 19:59:23 pm
Strawberries are a hit here today.

I like dumplings but have never made them. I make a nice beef stew though. Anyone got a good recipe?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 18, 2012, 20:30:33 pm
Ali I buy the vegetable suet (rather than the beef one) called ATORA and on the side of the pack it says how much flour to suet and add water.  It is THAT simple. The 'trick' is to not add too much water and not over mix.  Then just roll into balls and shove it on the top of your stew for about 20 mins without removing the lid.
These days I tend to not even weigh anything out I just chuck it together and hope for the best and they always turn out lovely.  So easy.  You must make some quickly whilst it is still officially winter :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 18, 2012, 20:33:45 pm
Oh I have seen that suet in the shops. Great I will buy some.

Yes it is spring here on Wednesday isn't it! How exciting. Maybe I will soon be able to feed colby without a top on to save on washing lol.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 18, 2012, 20:36:34 pm
I tend to use a Jamie Oliver recipe for the dumplings.  Think it's S/R flour, v cold grated butter (ratio of 2:1) and then make into sort of breadcrumbs and add enough water to be able to make little dough balls then lob into the stew for 30 minutes.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 18, 2012, 20:55:23 pm
I think it was my dumplings that made DP fall in love with me  hehe!

Are we still talking about food here Creations?? Lol. x

Ali - Like creations, I use the recipe on the Atora box too, it's the same quantities as in my mum's ancient Delia Smith book (which I purloined long ago) so if it's good enough for Delia, it's good enough for me. Definitely agree with not over mixing - if you over work the dough or squeeze them too much they end up like cricket balls instead of lovely and airy.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 19, 2012, 09:11:50 am
hmm... dumplings... and i have the whole of winter ahead of me!! hmm.... do they work as well with unsalted butter? then the little guy ca have them!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 19, 2012, 10:09:25 am
Never made them with butter - I just use the normal suet and flour and then make sure the rest of the meal (and the day's food generally) is unsalted. Plus dumplings are so filling she only eats about half of one anyway so I don't worry too much about it personally.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 19, 2012, 10:34:19 am
hmm suet.. i don't think we have that here.. well.. we don't have it heaps.

So- hamish stole my lunch today!! I was eating a breadroll and a chicken drumstick- i wasn't interested much in the grain roll, so i gave him some.. now he's not silly- he ALSO wasnt interested in the boring roll and reached right up to my drumstick and took it!! (i probably could have overpowered him if i wanted.. but you know!) He ate heaps of it!! Thought it was great!! I had the scraps and the wing! So i think drumsticks will be on the menu!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 19, 2012, 13:51:40 pm
Sofia just had last night's roast for lunch. Chicken slices (most of which went down ok but some of the breast meat was a little dry once she got gumming and sucking all the juices out. Leg / thigh meat is definitely more tender and easy for her to eat) carrot batons, peas and potatos all on the tray. I also did a bit in a bowl fork mashed with baby chicken gravy which she has gobbled up.

Rach. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 19, 2012, 14:00:55 pm
Leg / thigh meat is definitely more tender and easy for her to eat
also higher in iron so you're on a winner.
I much prefer leg meat to breast meat, loads more flavour.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 19, 2012, 14:11:50 pm
I didn't know that about the iron. I also much prefer to buy chicken thighs these days particularly for casseroles and things. Breast meat can get so dry and flavourless and the thighs are cheaper too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 19, 2012, 14:14:27 pm
Yes, unsalted butter is fine :)  D must be piggy (or my dumplings are smaller) but she'll happily put away a whole one and be looking for more!!

Risotto for lunch.  She seemed to like it but wanted me to spoon feed it to her!! ::)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on March 19, 2012, 15:00:32 pm
She seemed to like it but wanted me to spoon feed it to her!!

F has been wanting me to spoon feed her a bit recently, especially if she's been having a go with a spoon herself for a while already - so I do if she asks me too. I think it's a novelty for her! And if something is yummy, she knows she'll get it faster ::)  I figure at this stage it's not bad - DH will give me a few spoons of something he's eating sometimes!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 19, 2012, 15:42:03 pm
I also much prefer to buy chicken thighs these days particularly for casseroles
diced turkey thigh is a regular here for stews and curry, it's so cheap and like you say it doesn't get dry like breast meat.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 19, 2012, 20:43:49 pm
I like getting the 'lovely legs' as they are called here- the thigh on the bone- GREAT for casseroles and slow cooker things, the meat just falls of the bone when done- in that if you wanted to  keep it on the bone you couldn't, and they are cheap as!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 19, 2012, 21:54:54 pm
Creations - where do you buy the turkey thigh? I only ever see turkey steaks in the shops and they seem to be a bit dry like chicken breast, I guess because they are so lean.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 19, 2012, 22:08:22 pm
Creations - where do you buy the turkey thigh?
In the poultry section of Asda or Tesco (right by the turkey steaks which I agree can be very dry although breast meat is good for quick stir-fry, thigh is kind of tough if cooked too quickly). It's sold diced, I usually go through it to trim the fat and make the pieces a bit more equal in size before I start cooking though.
We also love turkey leg with is a perfect amount for the three of us for a Sunday roast.  It's a PITA to carve if you're not used to it but worth it for flavour (and SO SO cheap!  Actually I should stop saying it is good because if it gets popular they'll put the price up!).
Oh, we also do turkey sausages here too :)
Big turkey eaters but never for Xmas.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 19, 2012, 22:18:25 pm
I am usually a Sainsburys shopper so maybe they don't do it, I'll have a proper look next time. Speaking of supermarkets - I just tried Tesco for the first time in ages as my friends were telling me it is better value. Is it sad to admit I actually found it really stressful going to a different supermarket!!? It's funny what you get used to... think I'll find myself back at Sainsburys next week, so much easier when you know where things are!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 19, 2012, 22:23:49 pm
Oh it's really stressful going to a different supermarket!  And going to ones which are too big too!  Wow it's a hike to get from one end to the other!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 19, 2012, 22:29:41 pm
Having moved recently I've had to get used to a new supermarket and just HATE it!  I usually go to Sainsbury's, but Asda is nearer so use it for bits here and there.  Don't really like the layout of either and miss my old Sainsbury's - now that IS sad!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 20, 2012, 00:12:52 am
Is it sad to admit I actually found it really stressful going to a different supermarket!!?

Not sad at all- Until my recent aldi kick i was a shop at woolworths only girl- even if that meant going to another suburb!! And i'm the opposite to you creations- i LOVE a big supermarket- i want EVERYTHING there at once!! I also don't like supermarkets that look too 'budget'... unfortunately i am now pretty 'budget' myself... but aldi's been good for that- do you ladies have Aldi?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 20, 2012, 12:33:20 pm
Katy - Yeah we have Aldi, we only have a small one near us and I only ever seem to buy chocolate when i go in there as they have tonnes of it and a really limited range of fresh fruit / veg etc. I couldn't do a weekly shop in our one put it that way (unless I was only planning to eat chocolate!)
I love that your Woolworths is a supermarket. Our Woolies over here used to be an all purpose store, but sadly went out of business a few years back.

I like a medium sized supermarket. One that has enough range, but isn't big enough to make me spend extra money on things I didn't even know I needed. We have a massive ASDA near us - it's like an airport hanger... I always spend more in there as there are so many extra seasonal things (like they really go to town on easter / halloween / christmas) that I wouldn't normally buy if I was shopping in sainsburys.

Hmm - what's on the menu for you LOs today? I'm out of ideas...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 20, 2012, 12:46:58 pm
We had home made beef schnitzel- so i either buy beef schnitzel fillets, then flour them, egg dip and then crumb them in a mixture of store bought breadcrumbs (lazy lady), something like chinese 5 spice (whatever spice you are trying to use up), parmesan cheese and today for some extra pizzaz some lemon zest. We had these with wedges that are store bought but don't have anything in them but potato and oil! Also had some frozen vegies- hamish now eats most vegies!

breakfast and lunch very boring... nothing to report...

And i totally get the chocolate aldi thing- they have all of the chocolate at the front- it's where i get the Jaffa cakes! I knew you had a woolies- i wasn't sure if it was the same or not!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on March 20, 2012, 13:47:23 pm
We had egg noodles stir fried with tofu and veges, with prawn stock and a smidge of soy sauce added to keep things from sticking and to add a bit of flavour (I took F's out before I added more soy plus fish sauce for us). YUM!! I put what I thought was a HUGE amount out for F, and she ate it all and demanded seconds, and was most put out when I said there wasn't any because she could still see ours! ("more noo more noo"!)

Breakfast was the usual porridge made with coconut milk (plus a nibble of ee kyaw kway, a deep-fried Burmese snack from the market, naughty mama) and fruit; lunch was left over pork and mashed potato from last night with cucumber sticks.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 20, 2012, 13:58:43 pm
Oh you're all making me SO hungry and I have to wait until DS wakes from his nap before we can eat!

Turkey sausage and veg stew here (did I mention we eat a lot of turkey?) when he eventually stirs.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 20, 2012, 15:40:01 pm
Pork loin for dinner here. It has been cooking in balsamic vinegar and honey all day in the slow cooker. I just thought we are meant to avoid honey until 12mo but I figure it is ok cooked as that should have killed any bacteria no?

We had Weetabix which I spoonfed him for breakfast and then homemade banana and cinnamon pancakes for lunch (my breakfast but saved some to take to play group for colby). He also nicked a couple chips at lunch.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 20, 2012, 20:57:16 pm
Ali- you can do what you like for sure- but we actually had a discussion about this before somewhere and i looked it up. The bacteria in the honey aren't killd by cooking at household emperatures, so you are meant to avoid them till 12 months. BUT i;m sure it's like all of those things, very rare- so make your own assessment and decision.

here's the wholsesome baby food take: http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/infantbotulismhoney.htm

They even start with 'don't have it- but heaps of people do'...

Oh- we had our weetbix (i love it- same thing, one letter different!), a plum (new fave food) and some yoghurt for breakfast as usual..
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 20, 2012, 21:08:51 pm
DD had toast for breakfast today (I think - DH does breakfast) then bread and pate for lunch and a beefburger with processed smiley faces and sweetcorn for dinner.  Yeah, I know, but she likes them and I don't always have time to do fresh spuds.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 20, 2012, 21:11:55 pm
smiles!! YAY!! I can't wait for hamish to be more interested in character foods!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 20, 2012, 21:41:33 pm
Colby ended up eating banana and some oatibix at my sister's before us so he didn't eat the pork with honey anyway. I did and it was yummy. I saved some for cadan for tomorrow but will give colby something else. Thanks for that Katy.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 20, 2012, 22:25:13 pm
I can't wait for hamish to be more interested in character foods!
Katy, I think Hamish is interested in pretty much any foods already isn't he? :)

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 21, 2012, 00:29:01 am
Ha ha- very true!! But he doesn't pause to appreciate the cleverness of mummy using a fish cutter to cut out his tuna sandwich... or if i made a teddy bear toast.. http://www.minieco.co.uk/teddy-bear-toast/ HOW CUTE IS THAT!!!! He just smashes it without even a second look!!

Plums are our new favourite-

Oh- AND i had to repot- Last night we had our snitty with lemon for evan and I- and when hamish was done i let him have a taste of the lemon- I THOUGHT it would be a good opportunity for mummy to laugh at poor hamish (don't you wish i was your mummy?!?!) But NO!!! Hamish launched right into my half a lemon! He tried the skin too- possibly thinking he had it backwards- but then decided he was right the first time and went right on in!!! No laughing for mummy last night!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on March 21, 2012, 04:58:24 am
i let him have a taste of the lemon- I THOUGHT it would be a good opportunity for mummy to laugh at poor hamish (don't you wish i was your mummy?!?!) But NO!!! Hamish launched right into my half a lemon! He tried the skin too- possibly thinking he had it backwards- but then decided he was right the first time and went right on in!!! No laughing for mummy last night!

I have done this with lime, when F kept wanted to fish the piece out of the G&T I was enjoying on a hot afternoon watching the rugby WC final. Figured she wouldn't like it and would then leave my drink alone. Nope! Chewed it to pieces and was then twice as keen to get her hands on my gin!

Also, Andrew once gave her a pinky of beer "to show her it wasn't very nice", and has regretted it ever since. Strange child, likes bitter beer and lime!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 21, 2012, 05:21:43 am
ba ha ha! I knew he did't mind those flavours as he doesn't mind even the tartest kiwi fruit- i thought he had a limit!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 21, 2012, 10:26:59 am
D isn't that interested in the shape of the smiles, but seems to like the taste.  She and DS also like lemon/lime/olives etc
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 21, 2012, 18:31:18 pm
Katy - I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunity to use your sandwich shape cutters later :). DD1 wants her toast cut into triangles squares and circles! I wouldn't dare buy anything more exciting or I'd regret it for sure :P. Thankfully Sophia couldn't care less what shape her food is in ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 21, 2012, 20:44:33 pm
you can get these cutters here that are a single big cutter, but cut bread into things like- a train with 2 carriages, a plane with 2 clouds... theyu also have girly ones... not sure what they are... oh- they also cut them into puzzle pieces!! I can't wait to get them! How cute!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on March 22, 2012, 05:21:50 am
I have just remembered that I have an elephant-shaped cutter and I am SO going to cut F's bread with that next time she has bread. She's obsessed with elephants atm so I think she will actually think it's pretty cool. Even more than elephants, she is obsessed with the moon which is a bit easier to do even without a cutter so I should try that too!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: brookmom on March 26, 2012, 03:05:16 am
hi all

We tried the meatloaf and the beef and onion stew from BLW and they were excellent! it seems like she is sloooooowly starting to eat a little more. has anyone tried giving sticks of cheese or grated cheese like the book suggests?

thanks!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 26, 2012, 10:08:23 am
I often give sticks of full fat- low sodium cheese. Hamish really enjoys them! he sort of munches them up, and swallows some, spits some out. the grated cheese is not really his favourite- too tricky to pick up to bother with... but it;s good on pasta. I find the mushed up cheese revolting!! But that's my little sensory issue!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 26, 2012, 16:18:56 pm
OK so Sophia has a new trick! When there's something she doesn't want she throws it on the floor! :o. Up until now she more or less eaten everything!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 26, 2012, 18:06:52 pm
ha ha- she's been learning from hamish! He actually chased MY hand around the other day to knock a pear out of it and onto the floor!! It wasn't enough that i was holding it ad he wasn't!! Does she then look over the side as if to say 'hey! How did that get there!?"
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: timmysmommy on March 26, 2012, 18:14:28 pm
Hi there!  I'm going to start BLW with my daughter.  Anything new that is not in the book?  I started DS with BLW just a year and a half ago.  Time flies!  Hope to be chatting with you all soon!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 26, 2012, 21:26:02 pm
YAY!! Just remember that it might take a couple of weeks before she starts eating much (at all!) Just keep calm and remember that 'solids till one are just for fun' - and especially at 6 months the milk is the main thing they need! It can be hard at the start to remember that! I was very anxious at the start- but the lovely ladies on here assured me that it was all ok!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 27, 2012, 17:38:39 pm
Hi Amy I remember us being on this thread with our ds1s. Hehe.

Casseroled chicken and red pepper was a hit today. He just kind of sucked the flesh off and spat the skin out.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 27, 2012, 18:06:44 pm
Ooh and rice is super messy  :o
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 27, 2012, 20:49:41 pm
ha ha!! Yay!! Messy rules!!

Well- hamish is sick as some of you know- tonsillitis :( - He's pretty funny as he's SORT of off his food- in that he will sit in the high chair- and get all excited, then grab the food and put it in him mouth- then next thing TEARS!! :( Poor poppet! He was sooo excited about yoghurt at lunch yesterday, but no.. tears again!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 27, 2012, 20:52:50 pm
Aw poor Hamish. The tummy says yes but the throat says no! Hope he's better soon. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: anna* on March 29, 2012, 12:09:13 pm
I am so emotional that we will soon be starting to wean!! Noooo where has the time gone?? So sorry if this has been asked before, I haven't read back at all, but is it worth getting a BLW book? Or can I literally just give her some of the things we're eating. She is reaching for our plates all the time so she is starting to get interested in big people's food. Still waiting a few more weeks, she is not overly hungry, still has the tongue thrust firmly in place, can't sit unaided yet. But it's coming, and it feels like it's much too soon! :`( :-*
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 29, 2012, 12:22:37 pm
Hugs!! Give it a few more weeks- she doesn't need it. You'll probably like BLW in that they take a good couple of weeks before they actually EAT much- it's very much in their own time.. so it's not like she'll be eating gallons a week after you start.

I found the book to be good myself.. but there are a couple of good sites.. let me see...

http://www.babyledweaning.com/

this site has a booklet you can download:

http://www.baby-led.com/

There are others too.. but i can't remember them all...

If you see it get it- but if you stick around here and ask questions as you need to we're pretty good at answering... ( i mean- we enjoy answering- the quality of the answers i'm not too sure about!)

Also- this website was my bible!!

http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 29, 2012, 12:56:15 pm
Can't believe Audrey is over 5m... the time is flying.

Katy - how's hamish (and his tonsils) doing, is he eating better now?

We're struggling a bit with breakfasts. Can't tell if it's because she is a bit poorly with a cold or if the dream feed (yes, stilllllll doing the stupid DF) is getting in the way of her morning appetite. (Keep trying to drop it but she keeps either getting ill or teething so it never seems like the right time.) 

Any ideas for tasty quick breakfasts? Been doing toast, crumpets, fruit, don't have time to make pancakes every morning... but she isn't eating very much of anything I give her so am thinking it's lack of hunger rather than not liking stuff but still interested to hear what you are giving...

Thanks,
Rach. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 29, 2012, 13:00:49 pm
Most mornings I give S french toast for bfast. She loves it! Occasionally hot cross buns, toast, cheese on toast...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 29, 2012, 13:43:03 pm
Porridge fingers ;)

Anna, the book explains a lot of the philosophy of BLW as well as some of the basics and the difference between choking and gagging.  It's pretty good.  If you were thinking of getting the BLW cookbook, that has an abridged version of the main book at the beginning and has some nice recipes in it (including porridge fingers) :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 29, 2012, 13:47:59 pm
Ah yes - porridge fingers. I was only asking for the recipe a couple of weeks back and completely forgot about them...!! Baby brain strikes again! :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on March 29, 2012, 14:56:19 pm
This morning I gave colby cornflakes as finger food. I put milk in them and then just poured it away (into cadan's) immediately so they didn't get soggy but were soft. He liked them and ate half a dozen or so. That's quite good for him.

If you make pancakes Rach you can always save them once cooked and even freeze them to save time next time. Colby eats them cold at play group sometimes.

Scrambled or boiled egg?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on March 29, 2012, 16:02:29 pm
F's staple breakfast for ages has been porridge - not fingers per se, but just made really thick so I could put it in lumps on F's plate and she could just pick them up. She's more recently started really having a go with the spoon herself, so I'm slowly making it a bit less thick, but still nice and sticky. I've also recently started giving her weetbix balls - weetbix softened with coconut milk or yogurt and shaped into balls. Loves them. They're pretty high-fibre though so I didn't do it when she was younger.

I throw in some pancakes or toast (with peanut or sunflower butter) occasionally, and maybe an egg on the weekend. The pancakes freeze well, and I use them for snacks too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 29, 2012, 16:40:06 pm
I've actually been meaning to ask how blw babies transition to a spoon? MIL seems very worried about the fact that she eats with her hands... "Like an animal" she says ::). And since I now rely on her for babysitting one morning a week I'm not sure I can trust her to go along with my instructions re blw! She gave S chocolate cake the other day!!:o ::)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 29, 2012, 17:40:13 pm
Oh god- chococolate cake!! My grandmother is also worried about him not eating with a spoon- Did i already tell you about her 'it's good to see him getting some food off a spoon love' comment when i was spoon feeding him yoghurt?! ::)

We have a weetbix softened with milk. His majesty however needs it just the right consistency- too crunchy it all hits the floor with an annoyed expression... Some fruit and yoghurt. We've found the weetbix doesn't bung him up.. but i only give him the one (he's happile have more). Also i have these hoop things- look like cheerios- but taste AWFUL!!! He LOVES them- i put them on the tray and he eats some (very funny to hear them 'crunch' beteen his 4 teeth) but really loves bashing the tray so they fall on the floor. THis is ideal as usually theres one or 2 hanging around he can eat later as he crawls around ::)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 29, 2012, 18:30:15 pm
LOL on the eating things from the floor while crawling around!! Sophia will do this too if I don't clean up properly. Do you soften the weetabix with normal cow's milk? Doesn't it go very mushy and just fall apart?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 29, 2012, 20:02:53 pm
Egg free eggy bread is nice - mush up a banana, a splash of milk and dip the bread in then fry.  Good if you are avoiding egg and tastes yummy but I made it with brioche which has egg in anyway and it was even yummier! (I know breakfast finger foods are nto supposed to be about ME).

I liked the idea of DS getting a variety or grains and vitamins for breakfast (otherwise in our house its wheat bread, wheat pasta, wheat crumpets, wheat pancakes... and the odd oat cake, DS wouldn't eat rice until he was about 12 months so he didn't even get that).  Anyway, I used a shop bought baby muesli (it was aged 10 months I didn't care what the age on it was and gave it as 6 or 7 months) because it has a wonderful variety of grains and vits.  Like Nuala with the wheetbix balls I made the muesli into balls by adding only a small splash of milk and letting it thicken.  It doesn't work with adult muesli which is a shame.  Sometimes I interchanged with another shop bought fortified cereal, an oat and banana porridge, it also rolls well into finger food balls.  These days he has the muesli a bit sloppier and uses a spoon with some loading help (still sticky helps a lot as he tends to turn the spoon upside down as he takes it to his mouth).

The pancakes can be warmed carefully place on the top of a toaster if your LO doesn't like them straight from the fridge.  Always good to have a batch of pancakes in the freezer ready to grab.

've actually been meaning to ask how blw babies transition to a spoon? MIL seems very worried about the fact that she eats with her hands... "Like an animal" she says
Eek!  I'm not generally rude to strangers or other people's parents but has she not noticed that your LO wees and poops in her pants "like an animal"? or crawls on the floor "like an animal", or, perish the thought, walks in BARE FEET?
If it was me I just wouldn't be able to stop myself being very sarcastic.

My DS (now 14 months) has been using a spoon and fork (mainly fork) since he was 6 months old (I admit he cannot yet load them but he is getting closer and does sometime manage to jab something with his fork).  He does still use his fingers to eat but it depends how the mood takes him, we had a hunger strike for several minutes whilst I worked out he was not going to eat anything at all until I gave him cutlery, so long as the option is there he will eat but he must have his spoon and fork at the table like very one else.  Meanwhile I know some ladies who have gone the purée route to weaning who won't even consider letting their LO have a go with the spoon because it might make mess.  At 14 months DS is considered 'weaned' I reckon but I like to still check out this board and offer my support and advice and this is a perfect example of when it is useful.  Not only does DS use a fork but he also drops so little food that I rarely have to pick anything up.  He will still get food on the table around his plate but at the end of his meal when he is full we have a clean up routine where he picks all these up and returns them to the plate along with his fork and spoon.

I'm sure babies weaned either way eventually learn to use their cutlery.  I've never met an adult who can't use a knife and fork.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 29, 2012, 20:53:13 pm
Thanks Creations! And yes, MIL comes up with some really stupid comments and criticisms ::). I've learned its best just to ignore! ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on March 29, 2012, 21:21:07 pm
When I do weetabix for DD I just put around 2-3 teaspoons of milk on each side so it's not all mushy, but soft enough not to be crunchy, if that makes sense.

She's getting better using loaded spoons and sometimes likes to have a spoon to try scooping with, but doesn't get much yet and tends to turn it upside down on the way to her mouth which we both kind of find frustrating!

Oh and she HATES rice of any kind.  Basmati, arborio....nope.  Pulls a funny face and pushes it out of her mouth with her tongue.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: brookmom on March 30, 2012, 02:57:09 am
It's funny to see that MIL's can be a challenge throughout the world! Mine thinks Brook isn't eating anything as she puts food in, but quite a bit still falls out...... I stressed about it for 2 days, then gave her some honeydew melon and watched as she took little chunks out of it. And then felt silly for worrying!! My mom thinks the BLW is the neatest thing she has ever seen!!!!!

We did the homemade pasta sauce out of the BLW recipe book - very nice and fresh. Brook liked the noodles and seemed to work on some tomato chunks. As usual, who knows what what in, but at least she is trying the different flavors and textures!!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 30, 2012, 04:22:56 am
Hey- have you guys seen this 'babypote'? It's a silicone thing to put baby food in- but the picture has an older toddler on it. Do you think it's the sort of thing that ould be good to use for things like yoghurt? so that he could be independent with it? Or is it a waste of money? It's about $24 out here...

http://www.beaba.com/flash/#/en_GB/products/details/65-121-Babypote
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on March 30, 2012, 10:18:30 am
Personally I'd say it was a waste, (if I have done the currency conversion correctly...) Sofia is happy eating yoghurt from a spoon (often with her v messy input) and it will be such a short time before she's able to do it on her own. Do you have the fruit purees in pouches in Aus, with the little spout on the end like that Beaba fruitpote? My friend lets her daughter just have the pouch and eat it straight from that... I'd probably be inclined to do the same.

Well, I think Sofia is just off her food full stop. Must be the cold / virus she's got. She barely ate any of her favourite salmon fishcakes and peas last night, again she ate very little of her breakfast (managed to track down her favourite cereal at the supermarket yesterday and gave her hot cross bun fingers too - but nope, a quick chew and then stopped.)

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 30, 2012, 11:25:17 am
Thanks- i needed that suggestion reminder- my DH would thank you!! I really don't need to spend more money!!

Hamish is  funny with his food too- he had Bolognese again tonight- and picked out all the pasta bits (who knew he could do that!) and then had the sauce- and INSTANTLY started crying! And wouldn't stop even in the bath!! I think the tomto sauce may have hurt his sore throat.. poor baby!! have you checked sophia's throat? It could be that? 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: timmysmommy on March 31, 2012, 09:02:23 am
Hi ladies!  Just wanted to say thanks for the replies!  We are going to try some pear tomorrow morning.

As far as a spoon goes- I loaded the spoon for ds and gave it to him.  He loved feeding himself.  I used it for applesauce, or oatmeal, and later yogurt.  I did do a bit of a mix of purée and blw.  Seemed to work out ok.

My mil sat me down to discuss choking with ds after she watched a few meals of blw.  She was practically in tears telling me I shouldn't believe everything I see in books.  Sooo, we do purees when she is around. 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 31, 2012, 09:56:03 am
OMG!! The gagging is probably what she has seen... Oh ::)

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on March 31, 2012, 11:55:17 am
She was practically in tears telling me I shouldn't believe everything I see in books
Poor lady, she must be so worried.
In the UK the official guidance on weaning is now either BLW or puree with finger foods introduced at 6 months.  I don't know the guides where you are, I think maybe it helps some people accept the idea more if they know it is the official guidance and not just some weird modern idea from one book.

There's lots of videos of babies gagging on puree on the internet.  Maybe if she realised that they gag anyway it might help her not feel so scared?  There are also courses and videos on infant first aid for choking which are useful to see/do and can ease fears.

We are going to try some pear tomorrow morning.
I found raw pear and apple too hard for DS to begin with so used to steam them for a few minutes, or better still bake wedges.  The baked ones were great as the outside was quite dry and easier to pick up whilst the inside was like puree almost, lovely and soft - the baked version is also easier to take out and about I think.  He also likes grated raw apple now but I only recently tried that.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on March 31, 2012, 12:00:28 pm
Hamish has had the worst cases of stuff aspirated into his lungs on water (he sometimes likes to suck it in out of the cup ::) and a VERY VERY heartbreakingly scary event the other day on the antibiotics!! Honestly- if he had ever done what he did the other day on a piece of food i probably would have made the jump to purees forever!! Oh- i'm getting sick just thinking about it!! But food- he gags it out WAY before he gets it to his airway!

Oh and now that hamish's throat is pretty much better he's eating like a man who's been on a desert island ::) DH said he had to cut him off from the grapes today at lunch!! Honestly the whole- the baby will stop when he's had enough- lark doesn't really work around here- we'd run out of food first i think!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on March 31, 2012, 19:34:05 pm
We often eun out of food too! She sometimes eats more than DD1! :o

Thanks for the baked apple wedges idea! Hadn't thought of that. Do you put them on greaseproof paper?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on April 01, 2012, 09:09:15 am
I just put them straight on a baking tray or any oven proof dish.
With the veg chips they need tossing in a little oil but apple and pear you can just shove straight in the oven.  I never even had  set temperature or time, I just checked them until they were done.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: anna* on April 01, 2012, 19:06:57 pm
We were at my mums for a big family Sunday lunch today and Audrey sat at table in the highchair - she was lunging for everyone's plates so I put a spear of broccoli in front of her and she demolished it! She was very intent, definitely knew what to do with it. Granny was pleased and proud that her first taste of grown up food was home grown broccoli. She tasted a bit of roast potato too and ended up having two broccoli spears, and sucked on a little bit of beef for a minute. I will be interested to see if any broccoli went down!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on April 01, 2012, 20:40:37 pm
Wow Anna that sounds like a great start! :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: anna* on April 01, 2012, 20:44:54 pm
I was surprised! However she will have to wait a bit for her next tastes as we don't have a highchair for her at home yet!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on April 01, 2012, 21:21:13 pm
Anna, can I recommend the IKEA antilop highchair - it really IS the KIING of highchairs.  I would have paid for it ten times over compared to other high chairs (but it is actually one of the cheapest chairs you'll ever find).  The most important aspect in my eyes is that is must be easy to clean, this one IS, it couldn't get more easy, so many other highchairs are just not easy to clean.  Get the clip on tray too (comes separately because this chair can also scoot straight up to the dining table) so you have the option there.

There, I said my bit, and no I don't work for IKEA :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 01, 2012, 21:34:04 pm
Anna, can I recommend the IKEA antilop highchair - it really IS the KIING of highchairs.

^^THis!! I honestly think every day as i clean it how great it is!! And small- and can be taken apart for transport! Easy peasy!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: anna* on April 01, 2012, 22:08:17 pm
That's the one my mum has. Only question is whether I can make it to Ikea in the next couple of weeks. I'm hoping I can get one on freecycle...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on April 02, 2012, 03:54:04 am
Ooh you've all made ne jealous, I want an IKEA highchair! :P. The one I have is OK but not that easy to clean and really bulky! Oh well :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on April 02, 2012, 07:35:00 am
Only question is whether I can make it to Ikea in the next couple of weeks. I'm hoping I can get one on freecycle...
Oh I was in the same position, IKEA is a long drive from where I live and I really couldn't face it but I really wanted that chair. Then my mum said she had got a high chair off free-cycle and I felt so unappreciative because I really didn't want just 'any' off freecycle, I wanted what I wanted!  It turned out the free chair was the antilop imagine how HAPPY I was!  Not only the best chair but also free and no driving.  RESULT!

I also have a baby dan (the wooden chair that goes right up to the table, like the tripp trapp) it is nice, easy to clean, but not nearly so portable or versatile and it's really expensive in comparison (but I got that free too :) ).

I am sending antilop freecycle vibes your way anna xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: anna* on April 02, 2012, 08:05:27 am
We have the Tripp trapp but DH uses it for his computing chair... So we have to replace one or the other! I liked it but it was actually a really tight squeeze for my chunky monkey!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 02, 2012, 10:26:05 am
Tripp trap for a computer chair!! My Occuptional Therapist colleague was VERY strongly reccommending a Tripp trap- and i agreed totally with her- provides excellent support for the feet- can be used for years as a chair (or for DH at the computer!)- BUT THE PRICE!! Out here they are really pricey.. and the extra parts on top! I just found i couldn't go past the price for the antilop- we've been happy too as we took it apart and took it on 2 holidays.

Whatever you get anna- just try to get something with no padding (or limited) and i would suggest not having the tray too high.. (some have crazy high trays!!)- ALSO- my friend has a high chair that her little guy can just put his leg up to the tray and it kicks right off! Hopeless for BLW!! (she's not doing that at all.. he's over 1 and still has purees a lot..)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on April 02, 2012, 10:54:16 am
They are really good - but word of warning - my friend's little boy can get out of it very easily at 9mo because there is no 5 point harness just a waist belt. He managed to wriggle out of despite it being snug around him, my friend turned around from chopping something at the work top to find him standing in the chair which gave her the absolute fright of her life. So just be aware, if you have a super active LO, you need to be extra vigilant.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 02, 2012, 11:03:25 am
yes- true- no 5 point harness... Us on the other hand with my chilled boy- we actually don't even use the harness!! It hasn't occurred to him to even try to stand!! I know- naughty mummy- i should so use it...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on April 02, 2012, 14:43:04 pm
I was going to offer her a set of reigns we had been given for when we had Max (but never used - still in the box 5 yrs on!!) Wondered if she could fashion some kind of more efficient harness from them to keep the little Houdini in his seat!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on April 02, 2012, 15:46:18 pm
Wasn't there a recall on some of those recently? :-\

We have a fisher price travel booster thing that attaches to a normal chair and it's fab. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002VZ21E/ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: lidiayy on April 02, 2012, 16:45:44 pm
Hello everyone. I am joining the party as DD will be 6 mo in a couple of days. We're going to see the doc for her monthly check up and he'll probably recommend to start with solids.
BLW is not popular here so I am expecting him to recommend the same as he did for DD1, who was spoon fed. Idk also how I am going to deal with BLW and daycare, I think we'll have to do BLW only on weekends and at the end of the day, when I am with DD2.
I am excited to start with solids as some days ago she was staring at her sister eating pear and was licking her lips wanting to try some. I put some on my finger and let her taste... I am sure she wants to eat what big people are eating!
It's so much fun to see them grow, I love babies. ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 02, 2012, 18:35:04 pm
Welcome lidia. Would day care not be doing some finger foods with the older LOs anyway? It may be worth asking them. Surely it's easier for them if the LOs feed themselves.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: anna* on April 02, 2012, 18:42:53 pm
*Waves* Hi Lidia!

We seem to have started a bit. Audrey is definitely very keen. She is always a bit grizzly at teatime so today instead of listening to her whine we put her in her bumbo on the table and as she was lunging for everyone's plates again I put a little quarter of a baked potato, and a broccoli spear, and a couple of green beans on her tray. She had a really good time squishing and tasting them. I don't think anything went down but she was having a lovely time, and every time she lost the broccoli and I handed it back to her she was really excited. She had a tiny taste of pork too. Definitely got to get a highchair this week!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on April 02, 2012, 18:53:39 pm
Wasn't there a recall on some of those recently?
There was a recall on a very specific batch of the antilop, the info is in Hogg watch.  I would suggest anyone getting an antilop second hand to check out the recall.  Every antilop has a factory and batch number moulded into the underside of the chair, impossible to remove or change it so you can be sure of what you are checking.  If I remember correctly the belts had a fault on that batch.

My DS also has zero thoughts of climbing out of his chair, he is too interested in food to think of acrobatics.
But for anyone worried about it, it is possible to use the five point harness from regular reigns (these usually have detachable 'lead' for walking, remove that and it becomes a five point harness for a range of other 'stuff') or to buy a five point harness without the walker reigns part.
If the belt on the antilop is fastened and the length reduced to minimal (underside of the chair) this creates an anchor point behind baby to clip on the five point harness.  The 5 point fastens behind baby and they'd have to be a serious Houdini to get out of it.

The baby dan or tripp trap can be used without the front wooden section to create more space for chunky monkeys and again a 5 point harness can be used if the lap belt is either too tight or considered inadequate for the escape artists.

Amanda - that fisher price looks nice.  Looks quite easy to clean too although I expect in the early days a lot of mess goes on the dining chair too.  What I like though is that you can use it on the floor as a little low down table, that's neat.  I've always wondered why the antilop doesn't have that feature considering the legs detach.

lidiayy - welcome.  how exciting that you'll be starting soon :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on April 02, 2012, 20:17:46 pm
Yes, it's lovely and really handy to take out and about as well.  Yes, some goes on the dining chair, but some would go on the floor anyway if you had a traditional highchair and I just give the chair a quick wipe when I wipe the highchair bit.

Beginning to think that D doesn't like pasta now.  She's previously eaten fusilli with few issues, but any other shape is just refused and she pulls a funny face.  Urgh.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 02, 2012, 21:55:25 pm
My friend has the fisher price one and it suited well for her second- I think our dining chairs aren't sturdy enoug (they are REALLY crappo- el cheapo flat pack things from a place called 'fantastic furniture- the package deal kings'!!).

The recall on the Antilop was only around the belt fastening POSsIBLY coming undone- and you called up and got sent a new one- so if you are getting one i'd just check that- BUT i'd say it's not a massive issue anyway... They should send you one no problem.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 03, 2012, 08:36:11 am
Can you not order the chair from IKEA online Anna?

Colby likes mushrooms and scrambled egg spread on toast apparently.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on April 03, 2012, 11:24:51 am
We have the fisher price seat too - it's great. We fit it on to a plain wooden high chair, no tray (or harness), so when she's a bit bigger we'll just have her in that at the table. It is so handy for taking out and traveling, and we do use it on the ground as a low chair occasionally too.

Mushrooms have been one of the discoveries of the week for F. I've offered them plenty of times before and she wasn't terribly interested, but this week she has been devouring them. Seaweed was the other discovery - she couldn't get enough of it. Which is great, as it's highly nutritious and can be prepared in less time than it took me to type this post. :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 03, 2012, 11:30:57 am
How do you prepare seaweed? We really only have it as nori rolls and sheets...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Papaya on April 03, 2012, 12:12:04 pm
Put into boiling water or stock. Simmer for a minute. Remove (or add seasonings and anything else you want and serve as soup). We were having seaweed soup made with chicken stock, and I just lifted out the seaweed for F.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: brookmom on April 03, 2012, 14:49:03 pm
whats on the menu at your house today?

Breakfast was steamed apples with cinnamon, toast fingers with cream cheese.
Lunch: still undecided - may be leftover chicken pattie and cucumber
Dinner: turkey, steamed asparagus, rice with tomatoes.

my LO is 8.5 months, still not too sure how much is actually going in!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 03, 2012, 15:27:05 pm
This morning as I said we had scrambled egg on toast then lunch was cream crackers and cheese and dinner will likely be steamed carrots, minced beef in tomato and basil with spaghetti and perhaps some strawberries for dessert.

I often think nothing is going in and then I get a nappy full that tells me otherwise!

I love that crispy seaweed you get at Chinese restaurants but not sure if that really is seaweed as I know the prepared stuff I have seen in the supermarket here is not.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10as
Post by: timmysmommy on April 03, 2012, 18:14:01 pm
Hi ladies!  Thanks for the tips on explaining to mil.  She was a pediatric nurse, so she has seen the worst.  T was not choking or gagging when she saw him.  The whole idea was just too scary for her.  In fact, everyone I know thinks I'm crazy for blw.  Dh isn't fond of it either, but he knows the kids like it better.  He watched me trying to spoon feed E today, then watched me give her a piece if pear to at with and could see the difference!

So far, she doesn't like food in any form.  Puts it in her mouth, makes an awful face and spits it back out.

I'll have to try baked apples and pears- yummy! :)

We have the fisher price booster seat too.  Liked it so much we bought a second one for dd.  it is easy to clean, doesn't take up much room, seat adjusts in height for use as a booster later, and is portable.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on April 03, 2012, 19:17:39 pm
Menu today:

Breakfast: porridge fingers (woohoo!) with dried fruit cooked in
Lunch: (at Ikea) grated cheese sandwich, which she didn't touch, Organix carrot fingers (the crispy things), raisins, apple (DS started it and DD finished it off!)
Dinner: fish finger, chips and baked beans (didn't touch the beans either)

She's been a bit weird the last couple of days, so wondering if some more teeth are going to appear.  She usually loves a cheese sandwich, but wonder if the cheese being grated threw her a bit... :-\
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on April 03, 2012, 20:06:39 pm
Menu today:
Bfast - omlette and toast
Lunch - meatballs and veg
Afternoon snack - banana and yoghurt
Supper - spare ribs, potato and sweet potato chips. Plus a couple of prunes to help it through ;)

My girl loves her meat!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 03, 2012, 22:50:14 pm
I want to go to Ikea now!! :(

We had yesterday:

Weetbix, yoghurt and some halved grapes (surprise surprise!)

Banana sandwiches!! a new FAVOURITE!! AND as he loves them so much they are actually a great out and about food as NOT A BIT hits the floor! He was offerred a plum but threw it away..

Dinner was some chicken drumstick/thigh pieces cold off a BBQ chicken- ate ALL, 2 or 3 mouthfuls of sweet potato soup... is too much like puree for his liking i think.. and some more grapes.. I tried to give him strawberry but he was not into that either..

Oh hamish LOVES the sweet potato chips! y sister does them bu using a grater to cut the sweet potato into little bits then pan frying them in a little oil! I had to cut hamish off! (that was 2 nights ago.. last night was a left overs jobby..)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 04, 2012, 13:16:39 pm
Ok- do you ladies do snacks? As in 3 meals and 1-2 snacks? What counts as a decent snack? I gave Hamish 2 cruskets today and he thought they were ok.. i'd perfer dry brushable things... I think he might need something...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 04, 2012, 15:22:34 pm
No we don't do snacks yet. I will probably star around 10mo when I start looking at dropping the daytime BFs.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on April 04, 2012, 17:03:21 pm
I do a snack at around 4pm. Fruit, yoghurt, organix baby snacks...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: brookmom on April 04, 2012, 18:51:16 pm
we haven't started snacks either.....

Have there been any foods that you have given to your little one that suprised you how much they liked it or they did very well managing it?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: anna* on April 04, 2012, 19:10:01 pm
Ladies, forgive me not reading back through the thread, are there any links which tell me what I need to know in terms of introducing new foods? I assume it's not so much like purees where you give carrots for three days and then add sweet potato/squash for three days and then broccoli (etc etc). Aud is apparently absolutely up for eating anything I put in front of her and I don't want it to backfire. She is EXTREMELY happy to be sitting in her chair nomming away with us.

Also, can you reassure me it is OK for her to be eating now (I know you are not doctors!)? She is 24 weeks old. She is completely steady sitting up if there is support around her body (if she is on the floor she will topple over but is fine in a high chair). She is picking up the food and bringing it to her mouth. Yes she is eating bits (I found the evidence today!), even though from her face you would think everything tastes like lemons ;) . This means she's ready, right?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on April 04, 2012, 19:41:40 pm
Sounds like she's ready Anna! :) I didn't do things one by one but I avoided things that are commonly known to be gas causing at first. I started with steamed vegetable/fruit sticks and moved on toast fingers, pieces of very tender chicken, pasta...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: anna* on April 04, 2012, 19:48:48 pm
So far (it's only been 3 days) I'm just giving her little bits of what we're having. Obviously we eat quite a variety so I am worried that I will be giving her too much variety too soon. I don't know if I should cut her off, you know, go slower.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on April 04, 2012, 20:43:44 pm
Part of the thing with BLW is that they get to try lots of different things and experience different tastes and textures.  If it were me, I'd carry on as you are unless she shows you something to the contrary. :)

Today's meals were a bit, hmmm....breakfast - porridge finger with strawberry cooked in (she wasn't keen, but DS loved it!), lunch - McD's fish finger happy meal (although she hardly had any chips) followed by the grapes and some apple slices from a fruit bag, dinner - cheese spread sandwich, strawberries and blueberries and yoghurt.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 04, 2012, 21:15:48 pm
Anna we just offered what we were having too, definitely not one new food every couple of days.

Today colby had cornflakes and carrots for breakfast (not in the same bowl he just didn't eat many cornflakes so I gave him a couple of cooked carrot sticks afterwards). For lunch at playgroup he had pasta, green beans, strawberries, cream crackers and he pinched a chip from my sister. For dinner he had pasta with minced beef in tomato and basil sauce and green beans left over from yesterday. He did actually have a good go at stuff today. Maybe he will sttn tonight.

Carrots, mushrooms and strawberries are the favourites that seem to go down surprisingly well here.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on April 04, 2012, 21:59:52 pm
What counts as a decent snack?
Katy I doubt Hamish is going to agree with what counts as a decent snack :)

I introduced snacks gradually as the bottles went.

A decent snack for most of the LOs at play group is a few raisins, or a couple of slices of banana and just look at a piece of apple, or hold a bread-stick and maybe eat some of it.  Some of them eat a couple of slices of pear or apple.
A snack for DS was (at that age) more like 4 fruit pancakes :) or a full banana, or a full bread-stick plus raisins, or several flapjacks/oaty bars (home made no sugar) or 3 or 4 mini oat cakes with cream cheese or 2 or 3 mini muffins (home made no sugar).  I suspect Hamish will have a good appetite for snacks - and they really help with crankiness if/when you need to stretch out A times too!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: anna* on April 04, 2012, 22:13:58 pm
Yay that sets my mind at rest thank you everyone!

So today Audrey had a go with a porridge finger and a chunk of banana at breakfast, she had a bit of egg and some gluten free toast and butter at lunch, and at tea she had a hunk of chicken and a couple of pieces of broccoli, red pepper, courgette fished out of our risotto. It ended in tears because she rubbed risotto in her eyes and had to be taken off early for a bath, but she was definitely having a good gnaw/suck on everything.

I can see tea is going to be tricky because she is an early bedtime girl (as much as I try to move things later she wants to be asleep for 6.30). So she's already pretty tired by the time we eat at 5.30.

She is SO happy to be eating grownup food!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 04, 2012, 22:43:49 pm
couple of slices of banana

WHAT?!?!? A COUPLE of SLICES?!?! Well- it would be a quick way for hamish to develop speech- he'd say 'Is this your excuse for a snack?!'

Sounds great Anna- You don't have to worry too much about er not eating dinner with you. You cold either offer her 'dinner' and you and your DS have a 'snack' at that time- so she's involved and eating with the family.. it doesn't have to be too late...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on April 05, 2012, 05:34:51 am
We tend to eat dinner after the girls' bedtime so I give them their dinner together right before their bath.

How do you make porridge fingers??
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: anna* on April 05, 2012, 08:00:07 am
I don't know if there's a better recipe, but I just took a spoonful out of my porridge (made with water and a spoonful of coconut oil) and set it to one side to cool down, and then when it's cold it goes pretty hard/thick so I just squished it into a finger shape.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on April 05, 2012, 08:45:17 am
We went to a 1st birthday party earlier this week for one of Sofia's baby friends, I felt like such a miser only offering Sofia the healthy stuff while pretty much all the other mums offered their babies "grown up" crisps (stuff like cheesy wotsits) and those marshmallow sticks called flumps!!! One mum was saying "ooh Evie loves wotsits, and the marshmallow is ok because it's low fat." ???

It's been bothering me for the last 2 days - is it just me...? I know it was a party, but most of these babies were 7-10m old. I feel like all that stuff is for waaaaaaay later down the line. I'm not a crazy nut when it comes to restricting foods with the kids, they have a good mix of stuff but these foods are just not things I plan on offering til well after a year for Sofia.

I don't restrict DS at parties, but he generally makes healthy choices followed by a treat anyway.  I let Sofia have a taste of the birthday cake (no frosting) but she wasn't all that fussed and it just ended up in a huge pile of crumbs over her and me!! Poor Max didn't get to taste a cake til it was his 1st birthday!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on April 05, 2012, 08:59:20 am
WHAT?!?!? A COUPLE of SLICES?!?! Well- it would be a quick way for hamish to develop speech- he'd say 'Is this your excuse for a snack?!'
;D

This is why I have to take DS's snacks with me to group, they DO provide snacks but the main thing I am teaching DS during snack time is that he is not allowed to swipe from other kids' bowls even if you know they aren't eating it.

So, DS is approaching 15 months now and has just recently learned how to take grapes off the stalk himself.  This is our latest skill in BLW and it's pretty cool watching him.

Londondixy - I don't think you should feel any guilt at all over restricting what you're LO eats, lets face it, if there was a big bowl of alcoholic punch you wouldn't let her have a swig of that would you?  So I don't see the difference with restricting high sugar snacks, you know it isn't suitable for her age.  Having just mentioned snacks at play group, sometimes they give the kids a regular biscuit like a digestive or rich tea, I always decline these for DS but I am prepared with his own snacks so he doesn't go without.  So even at 14/15 months I choose not to give him the sugary things.  He has very rarely had a spoon of ice cream or a morsel of a cake I'm eating but generally I make him sugar free cakes (including his 1st birthday cakes which were sweet potato muffins with vanilla mascarpone cheese - all healthiness) .  So it is not just you at all.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 05, 2012, 09:33:45 am
No I find that ludicrous too Rachel. No way colby is getting rubbish like that at this age. Apart from the salt and sugar being unnecessary if not dangerous babies at this age cannot eat enough solid foods to get a decent mix of nutrients as it is hence why they need breast or forumla milk until 1yo. So no way would I let the solids he does eat be so devoid of nutrients. Plus I don't want him getting a taste for all that junk too early at the expense of other less tasty foods that are healthy.

I'm always amazed when I go to play groups and they dish out fruit and some kids only eat a mouthful or two and cadan is asking for more. Not because I don't feed him of course but he is used to eating a whole banana. Which I've actually discovered is too much for him in terms of a third of a banana being a portion of fruit for a child his age. I try to offer a couple of fruits at a time now and either get him to share with colby or his cousins or save the rest for later. He doesn't always let me though. ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 05, 2012, 10:29:59 am
No rachel- not crazy at all!!! I'm the same! I mean really- none of us EVER need that much energy dense food- really if i never had a cake again etc then that would be fine!! The only reason i have that stuff is because i LOVE it and WANT it- but hamish LOVES and WANTS grapes- so i think that's a better thing to go with!!

Well i met a kindrid BLW spirit tonight!! She had her 6 month old at dinner- she's a friend of my aunt- and i said 'he's on solids then?' And she said- 'oh yes- we just started a couple of weeks ago' and then after further discussion discovered they were doing BLW!! So both our boys sat at the club eating roast chicken, beans, carrots and beef!! Was a crack up!! I have told her about the forum and that we have this thread- she was very interested!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on April 05, 2012, 10:53:33 am
I agree too Rach! I barely let DD1 who is 3 have snacks like wotsits. She only eats them at parties. No way would I let S have those things! I went to a 2yr old bday party where they had organix snacks which I thought was nice :). As for cake and biscuits its the same. She will taste a bit on her 1st bday but the longer I delay her getting a tasye for those things the better! Unfortunately DD1 now does have a taste for sweet things, not helped by relatives offering her lots of goodies ::) but I still limit them.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Fiver on April 05, 2012, 19:35:38 pm
Becky - porridge finger recipe here - http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=227332.msg2455155#msg2455155.  If you have anything other than an 800w microwave you may need to adjust timings a bit :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: dburseth on April 05, 2012, 21:48:24 pm
Hi again :D Gosh I  haven't popped in on this thread in awhile and I think i've missed out on some good tips!  I'll have to do some back reading.

My question is about giving DS some herbal tea (warm or cold) as an alternative to water.  He drinks enough water but I just thought it might be a nice change up and introduce new flavours...what do you think?  I'm thinking ones that are just a fruit flavour would be safe?

Anna, we're not strict about offering foods three days in a row etc. until I get suspicious of something giving DS gas.  And if I think what I've got is too rich for his system I just give him a bit of it then balance it out with something blander like rice or bread. 

Also, we're getting picky with veggies...any suggestions? Sweet potato, yams, carrots and squash are out if you can believe it.  I'm still offering them once in awhile though in case he changes his mind.  I have a hunch its a texture thing as much as taste.  But he loves mashed potato, so go figure.

Katy,  we're doing 3 meals and 1-2 snacks.  C seems to be a big eater, too. Bananas disapear in about 2 min flat! On top of it he's still having 5 or 6 full BFs.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 05, 2012, 21:55:09 pm
Cam's mom personally I wouldn't introduce those fruit teas. They have sugar and fruit acids in that are bad for teeth and they may mean that he is less inclined to drink plain water once he has the taste for sweet drinks.

Colby likes some baby corns and baby courgette (zucchini) today. Can you hide veg in stews or pasta sauce etc.?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: dburseth on April 05, 2012, 22:12:22 pm
Thanks Ali.  I meant like a brewed tea from a bag, not sweet at all. I'm definately not into the sweet beverages for C.  He still might start to decline the water though, you're right.

Baby corn! Good idea.  Did you just offer the zucchini plain or was it cooked up? I do hide things, I just want to keep giving him whole foods too, YK?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 05, 2012, 22:20:30 pm
I just sliced the baby zucchini in half lengthways and cooked it in a quorn mince bolognaise. Don't overcook it or it squashes too easily.

I realised you meant a tea but I thought the fruit ones tasted sweet from the fruit.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: dburseth on April 06, 2012, 03:26:05 am
What is "quorn mince bolognaise"?   ???

I suppose you're right about the tea...basically like dried fruit.  I'll have to read some labels next time I'm in town.  Might be best just not to open the can of worms yet! 

C chowed down a heaping dessert plate of pasta tonight...there's something about pasta! Mmmm.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 06, 2012, 06:59:45 am
Quorn mince is vegetarian mince replacement made from soy and mushroom protein. Mince is what we call ground beef btw. The bolognaise (sp?) is just a tomato and herb sauce normally served with spaghetti.

I actually looked at a pack of tea here and because the serving diluted by steeping in water was so small everything just said trace or <0.5 (that was sugar) so not very helpful really.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 06, 2012, 10:48:59 am
I reckon if the label says 'trace' that it wouldn't be really adding to his sugar- but it might turn him off water.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 06, 2012, 14:20:50 pm
No Katy sugar was the only thing in it in terms of the list of nutrients but because the serving size was so small (100ml made up) it just said <0.5g. Everything other than sugar said trace. I wouldn't worry about the sugar being consumed just the teeth angle and him getting the taste for drinks other than water at such an early age. That's just my preference though.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: Zoey on April 06, 2012, 15:10:38 pm
Hi ladies.  I wanted to post that we are still on the BLW path.  Wyatt just isn't as keen on food in general, so it's slow.  He just broke 20lbs so he is gaining weight which is good (Owen weight 20lbs at 4months!).  We are hoping to begin trialing milk after his first birthday so that's exciting!  Right now his favorites are turkey meatballs, grilled chicken, zucchini and summer squash. 

:)  I'm glad everyone here is doing well!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 06, 2012, 21:05:05 pm
Welcome zoey!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 06, 2012, 21:34:27 pm
Hi zoey  ;D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: snowbird on April 06, 2012, 22:33:11 pm
Ha -yes Cam's mum! LJ loves pasta too. Eats lots of it but not very interested in potato a lot Of the time. Still give it to her though and she does eat it sometimes. Xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: timmysmommy on April 07, 2012, 03:16:19 am
Just wanted to post that E is not eating much- except today I ran out to the store, and while I was gone, dd woke up and dh fed her sweet potato and she ate it!  I think she was hungry!  No luck later today though.  At least I know she will eat eventually!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: dburseth on April 07, 2012, 03:42:52 am
Thanks for checking a label Ali.  And i think you're right to wait.  Especially since C is still using a sippy cup.  He does chug his water well so why would I go and wreck a good thing!

I tried some raw baby spinich today and yesterday and surprise! He ate it, lol.  I haven't tried any raw greens up until now thinking it might not me mushed up easy enough in C's mouth and catch in his throat.  He seems to like the crunchy texture though and he had no trouble. 

I've really been winging it as far as meals go, but its getting to the point now I can't be so lazy :( C is a hungry boy! Its hardest when DH is gone to work (camp work) so I'm not cooking a regular meal for just me.  I really, really wish cooking was my passion! ::)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: beckygatt on April 07, 2012, 05:03:43 am
Cam's mum - I try to keep a couple of things in the freezer for occasions when I'm not cooking, or when our food isn't suitable for kids. Things like chicken patties (frozen raw), which I can cook quickly in the oven or fry in coconut oil and serve with steamed veg. Or if I'm making cottage pie will try to make a couple of extra portions to freeze. Pasta is also a goood option for these situations, though I don't like to resort to it too often so prefer the frozen patties, homemade nuggets or whatever.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: creations on April 07, 2012, 06:57:34 am
Cam's mom, in terms of veggies.  Mine loves fried mushrooms (either dry fried or in a little butter), asparagus, green beans, aubergine, courgette, peas, sweetcorn, roasted onion.  He also went off sweet pot and carrot for a while I think he just got  bored of it, or maybe he realised he didn't 'need' so much of it (they firm up his poo and it can get too firm if he eats too much of those).
For lazy meals I used to throw some frozen veg in with pasta whilst it was cooking then after draining stir in some pesto or tom puree and cheese or a spoon of cream cheese to melt, and some times a can of fish (tuna or mackerel).  It makes for a really quick and easy meal but still balanced.

I've let DS drink the fruit juice on the rare occasion I've given him frozen fruit.  When it is defrosted it is pretty squishy and there's lots of juice.  I let him drink it straight form the bowl immediately after finishing the serving of fruit.  I think/hope this way he will not associate it with being a 'drink' but instead part of the fruit serving and it isn't an additional acid attack on his teeth.  I too wouldn't introduce any drinks other than water/milk, I worry too much about his teeth.

I made chicken meatballs the other day, but with chicken breast whizzed up (rather than bought mince) and mixed with breadcrumbs and a little low sodium seasoning, then rolled and fried.  I was surprised how much I enjoyed them - like getting a hit of junk food but it not being junk.  I'm not even keen on junk food but sometimes just get the urge for something processed and reconstituted - how odd! - these fulfilled the craving and DS loved them too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 07, 2012, 13:26:58 pm
I love cooking but wish I had more time to do it. I hate getting half way through preparing a more complicated meal and colby deciding he needs picking up! Then it gets pretty hard to do without either holding him or him crying and me trying to entertain him. 15 mins is about the max he is happy to sit and watch.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 07, 2012, 13:36:46 pm
My freezer stock of everthing is very low at the moment.. the show i'm directing is opening on monday and this weekend- all weekend i have all day rehearsals- do DH is organising things... ::) miracle the child is eating at all!! Banana sandwiches are our FAVOURITE thing- peanut butter sandwiches are CR&POLA!!

I've got some raw baby spinach- i didn't know hamish might eat it!! I'll sooo try him on it tomorrow!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: dburseth on April 07, 2012, 21:01:15 pm
Ya I thought it might be a good source of iron, but if i gave him cooked spinich too often i think he'd end up turning his nose. 

Thanks for the ideas.  I think I'll peruse the freezer isle for suitable fare to keep on hand.  I always avoid that isle because there is too much ice cream and pizza available! lol

Creations, that sounds like a good strategie with the juice from fruit.  I think of that kind of juice in frozen and canned fruit just wasted nutrients that seeped out of the fruit. 

Ali, that's when its nice when DH is home in time to entertain while I'm cooking!  I think I'm going to start collecting more oven dish recipes for when DH is home.  I find C's BT is right when dinner is ready or almost ready and if I wait til after its so late and close to my own BT.  I'd like for all of us to eat before but DH is rarely inside or home in time :(  Then there's the phone...even C is starting to wonder why I let it ring, haha. 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 09, 2012, 09:38:26 am
Oh god- had a BLW fail!! So i was at the shops and thought that the 5 grapes and had a rice biscuit thing my guy had was insufficient for a snack... so i investigated the 'pouches' of puree.. i've never used these before- but figured that i could find one with limited additives etc. SO i did- and it was bannna and such he loves banana- so i opened it, and squeezed some out- and wanted him to suck it right from the pack- (you can do that..).. well- we don't eat pre-packaged puree mummy!! We only eat fresh foods!! ::) so pack was WASTED!! and ALLOVER HIM!! FAIL!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: anna* on April 09, 2012, 09:46:16 am
OK ladies, I really wish we had a dog because OMG the MESS! How do you deal with it? Tips please.

In a few weeks I hope it will be warm enough that we can just strip Audrey down and she can eat in just her nappy. We are putting one of Stan's long sleeve t-shirts on her as an overall, but each one only lasts one meal and we are running out! I know I have an old shower curtain somewhere that I can spread out on the carpet under the dining table...

In other news, Audrey is doing great and having a good old go at everything presented to her. She's been enjoying egg, pear, duck, artichoke, broccoli (a big favourite), kiwi, pasta bolognese, chippati - and that's just this weekend.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 09, 2012, 10:11:51 am
LOL!! Ok- the mess is a big issue!! We feed him in the kitchen usually so there;s lino on the floor. I found cleaning the plastic sheet i had a PITA.... so i just clean the floor... but if i;m on the carpet i lay out an old towel... not ideal..

We started in summer which is nice so he's been stripped off!!

We have these sillicon bibs with little catcher bits that are great and they can be washed in the sink- but the catcher can- well- catch stuff! I have tried using a cloth on his lap so that stuff doesn;t fall through... but i found that i have to wash it anyway and it's really gross...

Great to hear she's going so well!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: londonlady on April 09, 2012, 10:29:00 am
Anna - we use the long sleeved bibs from Sainsburys TU which are about £3 each, they're made of towelling type material. At lunch time I use it inside out so the plasticy backing is facing outwards so I can just wipe it after a meal, then for dinner I can turn it the right way and she is covered again. Then just either rinse it if it's not too covered, or put it in the wash, and use a different one the next day. I've got 3 of them, so used in rotation I don't have to do anymore washing than usual and always have one on hand...

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 09, 2012, 10:55:56 am
thats a good idea!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 09, 2012, 12:38:05 pm
Funnily enough we often use the long sleeved bibs with the silicone catcher over the top.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: amayzie on April 09, 2012, 12:53:21 pm
The catcher is good for both covering clothes and stopping the floor being so messy... i love the double bib approach!! IT does get neater though..
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 10
Post by: *Ali* on April 09, 2012, 13:43:49 pm
We have reached 30 pages so to keep it open to newcomers this thread will be locked. Please continue chatting here http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=228864.0