BabyWhispererForums.com

EAT => Feeding Solid Food => Topic started by: Buntybear on October 19, 2011, 17:53:41 pm

Title: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Buntybear on October 19, 2011, 17:53:41 pm
Continued from;

http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=184657.435#lastPost

Please remember mods are now deleting any posts meant simply to m@rk your spot in a thread, in order to keep the BW boards as neat as can be. Please post an actual comment when you are ready to participate in the discussions.

Chat away  ;D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on October 19, 2011, 19:22:37 pm
Oh Me 1st.

b has been a bit unwell last few days so not lots of eating going on. He had a good old suck on some homemade chips yesterady and a rusk today. He is now 6mo so i will start offering something at each meal/snack time. My DS1 (28mo) is constantly trying to feed him so he certainly won't get forgotten. He had a few preloaded spoons of wheetabix tonight from K's bowl.

How do you make sweet sugar free muffins creations?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: squeakersmum on October 19, 2011, 20:33:01 pm
I think I'm definitely going this route with DD but I'm not sure really what the 'rules' are. She enjoys sucking on Organix ricecakes but other than that, every time she gets a tiny bit of anything in her mouth she gags (in an overly dramatic way Lol!). I'm willing to stick with it but the neurotic mother in me worries she's never going to eat anything!!

So far she's 'tried' carrot, broccoli, sweet potato, potato, and banana...I'm not sure that any of it jas actually made it into her mouth though! Other than a massive piece of carrot that she 'bit' off and I had to fish out!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on October 19, 2011, 20:38:25 pm
Have you looked here?
http://www.babyledweaning.com/

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 20, 2011, 02:59:38 am
KM: I discovered a fabulous sugar-free banana cake a couple of days ago - DH and I scoffed as much of it as F. It could probably be made into muffins as well. Recipe is here: http://www.babyledweaning.com/recipes/snacks/frannys-fab-and-healthy-banana-cake/#comment-19371 I was really pleased that she didn't seem to have any reaction to the dairy in it - I think she's already starting to grow out of it a little, so a bit of dairy in cooked things seems to be ok.

squeakersmum: That gag reflex is completely normal and nothing to worry about (although it can put your heart in your mouth a little, eh?). It's common for BLW babies to gag quite a bit at the start, but it passes as they learn about different textures and about how much they need to work something in their mouth before they can swallow. That's one of the differences with BLW - they learn to chew before they learn to swallow, whereas with puree weaning it's the other way around.

Also, I wouldn't worry at this stage about whether your LO is actually eating anything or not. Plenty of time for that - food before one is just for fun! And anyway, you might be surprised when changing nappies over the next few days to find that she must have been...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on October 20, 2011, 06:06:59 am
Oh so maybe they have no added sugar just what is in the fruit. I was imagining sweetners or something.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: jay2yay on October 20, 2011, 15:26:14 pm
Do you all wait an hour after milk before offering food? And I'm curious to hear what you all do when you go out to eat or are at other peoples' houses?

I'm very nervous to give DS whole food in front of other people. #1, they're so criticizing, but #2, he has choked (choked, not gagged) in front of them and it's just uncomfortable.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on October 20, 2011, 18:06:43 pm
How do you make sweet sugar free muffins creations?
I think I got the recipe from mamacook (lemonthyme)

100g finely grated sweet potato (I used a mix of sweet pot and carrot as didn't have enough sweet pot)
2 eggs
4 tbsp milk
100g sultanas (I used chopped dried apricots as I didn't have sultanas - can you tell I am useless at following recipes?)
2 tbsp veg oil
150g SR flour (bare in mind this means there is some salt in the finished muffin)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

oven 200 - 220 deg C

MIX egg, sweet pot, sultanas, milk, oil, vanilla.
MIX flour and cinnamon in a bowl.
ADD wet mixture (do not over mix)
DOLLOP into cupcake cases or muffin tin (makes 10 - 12 regula cupcake size.  I've also made some in petite four cases, very cute mini muffins)
BAKE 15 - 17 mins (around 10 min for petite four mini muffins on slightly lower oven)

They freeze well and although they are yummiest eaten warm they are ok to defrost and just eat, but you could re-warm them.
I found these quite sweet, like carrot cake, and think they could also be nice with a mascarpone or cream cheese topping added after cooking.

I haven't made any for a while, really must get another batch made.  Chopped prunes are also lovely and sweet, or any sweet dried fruit really.  They are sweeter if the sweet pot/carrot is finely grated rather than coarsely grated.

Yum yum
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: DSAN on October 20, 2011, 21:12:42 pm
Reflux and BLW: compatable or no?

Here is my son's history: we did BLW starting at 6 mos. Ate a bit but not a ton, was just getting more adventurous when his reflux flared really badly and he started refusing all solids (and nursing every 1-2 hours round the clock... fun fun fun!). So we stopped offering solids, on our Dr's advice (to avoid food issues down the line). Now his meds are adjusted and he seems to be much better BUT his Dr said he might do better with really runny purees as we start again so it won't hurt as much if it comes back up...

Toughts?

It really did come back up in chunks, the poor guy. Anyone else's LO's have reflux and have been fine with BLW? I love the philosophy behind BLW and we were having fun with it before... I'm just not sure what to do.

Oh, and I've read all the FAQs boards... last time I asked this question I just got sent there  ::)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: squeakersmum on October 20, 2011, 21:26:29 pm
My DS had silent reflux until we started solids when it became not so silent. When he had a flare he would bring everything back up - chunks and all - poor guy.

I was always very concerned about it causing food aversions. His flares would last a week or so, usually coinciding with a cold or tooth popping through. Although he would lose interest in food and we had days when he would only eat yoghurt and/or a fruit purée pot right up to about 18 months but he would always get right back on track after the week or so. I just followed his cues.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 20, 2011, 23:33:10 pm

Do you all wait an hour after milk before offering food? And I'm curious to hear what you all do when you go out to eat or are at other peoples' houses?

Justine, generally yes - our meals are 1 - 1.5 hours after milk. Sometimes it might be a little earlier/later, for example if as you say we're out or visiting friends. We always just do BLW when we're out, either what we're having or I might have brought something with me. I've never found anyone to be critical, just astounded! But we are foreigners here, so are often seen to do things a bit differently anyway. Some people ask if all foreign babies eat like this :) Most people seem quite approving actually, when they see how well F eats and how much she enjoys it...but somehow they never believe that their babies could do the same!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on October 21, 2011, 21:13:17 pm
Not sure about BLW and reflux DSAN. It may be worth posting a question on the main solids board/reflux board to get more eyes on it. We have reflux here too but we have only just started and no issues as yet.

That sounds yummy creations. I will try those muffins for sure.

B seems to be feeling better after his chest infection so we started eating again today. He had some bread and cheese for lunch and some carrot and potato for dinner. Not sure how much went in but it was all over him. I had to wash his hair several times to get it all out. He had a great time.

We tend to have sandwiches/baguettes for lunch most days here. I feel like he always has bread, but I am not keen on it for him because of the salt and low nutrient value. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 22, 2011, 02:37:36 am
Homemade bread? I make my own with oats, rye flour and wholemeal flour - and no salt. It takes a lot less time to prepare than you'd think if you just get into the habit of making a batch of dough a couple of evenings a weeks and popping it in the oven the next morning.

But we do lots of other things for lunch, we only have bread a couple of times a week. How about pasta and sauce, or couscous? They're both fairly fast and easy. Or microwave baked potatoes? Rice crackers? Vegetable fritters (eg carrot or courgette)? Fish cakes made with mashed potato, finely chopped onion and garlic and flaked fish? These last two can be in the freezer and reheated when you want them.

I also think it's fine to have meals with no carbs at this stage - just a fruit salad and yoghurt, or scrambled egg (or egg yolk, if avoiding whites) with tomato wedges... we often have leftovers from dinner the night before too, if it's something suitable for reheating.
With milk being the main source of nutrition still I personally wouldn't worry about it being a 'balanced meal' - just a healthy one :)

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on October 22, 2011, 15:29:09 pm
I feel like he always has bread, but I am not keen on it for him because of the salt and low nutrient value. Any ideas?
I buy the organix goodies biscuits, sugar, salt and baddy free.  You might not like th idea of shopping down the baby food aisle (I wear a balaclava when I go down there ;) ) but they are a good alternative to bread.  I think of them as both sweet and savory so will spread with houmus or top with cheese or cream cheese, avocado etc or just serve everything separately but have those as the carbs.

I feel like I get stuck for carbs.  He doesn't like rice or potato (he will sometimes eat roast potato but they take SO long to b=cook that I can't make them all the time) so it's either wheat bread or wheat pasta here!  He does like sweet potato but atm we are avoiding orange foods in case that's what causes his bum burn.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on October 22, 2011, 15:35:49 pm
Heather, my DS has silent reflux so of course it is different.  He does sometimes bring up a big chunk of something though, if he has swallowed something way too big he hacks it up again (and then usually tries to eat it again - nice!).  I would have thought that solids would improve both reflux or silent reflux as solid food stays down so much easier than milk.  Sorry can't be of much help, only know that with DS's silent reflux he was so glad to get real food that he enthusiastically went all out on eating straight away, it was far more comfortable for him.

If you do choose to go with BLW I would avoid spaghetti and noodles...they aren't nice when brought up and get stuck half in half out (I found a noodle half out of DS's bum during nappy change - possibly tmi eh!)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on October 22, 2011, 20:55:22 pm
Oh makes me think of worms. The ideas you gave are all great. I'm just being lazy i guess to make something different for b. I used to take time to do so with k but i am always in a rush with 2. I also have to be more organised with shopping to make those things. I have Veg pancakes in the freezes from a few weeks ago. I forgot i made those.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 23, 2011, 02:59:24 am
Creations, F went though quite a long phase when she hardly ate any carbs - not interested in bread, rice or porridge. (She would usually go for potato in any form though :)) I just kept on putting a small spoon of my porridge on her tray every couple of days. For several weeks it was quickly relegated to the floor in favour of her fruit - but about 10 days ago she tried it again, and started stuffing it in her mouth like it was the best thing she'd ever tasted. Since then, she's eaten it well. Same with rice - all of a sudden, she was keen, and now she eats PILES of it (good thing too, seeing as that's what the locals have three meals a day!). We have brown rice at home, so lots of good nutrients there. She's slowly getting more interested in toast as well.

So while I was a bit worried about her carb intake for a while as well, I tried to tell myself not to be...and it's just come right on it's own. I think just choose something to keep offering regularly, and I bet he'll take to it eventually.

Thanks for the muffin recipe - sweet potatoes have just come into season here and were really cheap at the market this morning, so I'm going to make some today!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: DSAN on October 23, 2011, 16:38:27 pm
Thanks everyone for your advice re: reflux and BLW. I too thought it would make it better but nope :( well, that hasn't been the case for us any way. I guess its just going to have to be a bit of trial and error with my guy. Sigh. This reflux thing really bites! Lookingg forward to restarting solids.... I'm getting tired of nursing every hour round the clock :P
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on October 23, 2011, 21:50:08 pm
We have been having the same problem here. B manages to get a bit in his mouth then gags and his whole milk feed from 1 or 2hrs earlier comes up. Not sure what to do. Have posted on reflux board. B is very interested in the food last couple days otherwise.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on October 24, 2011, 18:57:18 pm
We have been having the same problem here. B manages to get a bit in his mouth then gags and his whole milk feed from 1 or 2hrs earlier comes up. Not sure what to do. Have posted on reflux board. B is very interested in the food last couple days otherwise.
That's awful!  I feel so incredibly lucky that this doesn't happen to DS. 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on October 24, 2011, 20:13:29 pm
No vomit today. On my thread the consensus is continue BLW but take it at his pace. He had a good suck on some rusk and rice cake today as I tried to chose things that wouldn't break off in his mouth. I must get some soft fruit tomorrow.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on October 24, 2011, 21:27:05 pm
He had a good suck on some rusk and rice cake today
oh, rice cake is just about the only thing that does come back up with DS.  I think it's because it's quite 'dry' and then he drinks water and the bits of rice come back up with the water as there is no proper substance sittingin his tummy iykwim.

Have you tried the organix moon biscuits?  They are good for gumming and sucking on and don't have sugar/salt.  They are also quite chunky for gripping onto (and moon is a great shape for any LO new to BLW too)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: DSAN on October 24, 2011, 21:58:32 pm
No vomit today. On my thread the consensus is continue BLW but take it at his pace. He had a good suck on some rusk and rice cake today as I tried to chose things that wouldn't break off in his mouth. I must get some soft fruit tomorrow.

I think I am going to continue with BLW too, once we get his meds sorted. I think we need an increased dose again... That way even if he doesn't want to eat he's still getting the experience of new textures, picking stuff up, etc. He's got a pretty good pincer grasp now so its time to put it to use!

I'm glad your little guy is doing better :) no vomit is a good thing!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 25, 2011, 00:16:49 am
Glad you guys think you'll be able to continue with BLW, slowly. No reflux here so sorry I can't be of any help - but hugs!

Creations, I tried your muffins. Mmmmm. We both like them :) I used a mix of chopped dates and prunes. Think the uncooked mixture was a bit thick though, I wondered at the time whether to add more liquid but thought maybe it was meant to be like that because the fruit content is so high...but next time will go with my instinct and add a bit more I think! Back to avoiding dairy so I just used water in place of the milk, and they were fine.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: LaneVids on October 25, 2011, 02:43:25 am
My wife and I have been documenting our daughter's BLW progress through video on YouTube. We try to give her lots of new foods, so there might be some good ideas for you guys to use if you are searching for food to give your BLW little one! Also I try to give some comments in the video about what we have learned through the process. Here is Day 1 of our experience! I hope you find this helpful!

Baby Led Weaning - Day 1 - Banana
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on October 26, 2011, 12:43:25 pm
Joining this thread as I'll be starting blw soon...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on October 26, 2011, 20:23:02 pm
Welcome Becky. This is such fun.

I got some of those organix baby biscuits and gave it to b as his lunch at playgoup. He loved it. I wish I knew how muchis actually going in. To know if he is actually eating rather than because I am worried about how much he is eating.

B keeps getting it stuck at the roof of his mouth if it is too dry and then he can't get it out for ages until I help him. when he gets upset.

We are going to a party on saturday night and I can't wait to just load up his tray! I bought some cheap placemats as they are thin and can roll up so i can take them to put on the table when we eat out as the tray's aren't always clean enough for my liking.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on October 26, 2011, 21:14:41 pm
Ooh we get organix biscuits here! Would you try those early on though or only once they've tried fruit/veg first?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: squeakersmum on October 26, 2011, 21:33:35 pm
We still have nothing really going in here - although she really really enjoyed her toast and philly spread at lunch time!!

Do you start meat now too? Or wait until they're older?? Is there anything you're supposed to steer clear of other than egg whites, honey and added salt/sugar?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on October 26, 2011, 22:47:04 pm
Khalams mama, maybe try the oaty bars and carrot cake (organix again) too, they are a little more moist than the biscuits.

Lanevids, how old is your LO in the video?  I have a few videos of DS eating, you inspired me to look back at them, it's amazing seeing those early experiences.

The hardest thing I find is the odd occassion when I have no choice but to leave DS with someone else for a meal.  Nana has had him a couple of times whilst I've been at appointments and I worry about how Nana will cope, she is so proud of DS's eating ability but at the same time she is frightened and has a tendency to want to jump at him the second he has a large piece of something in his mouth (she also constantly orders him to 'chew chew chew!' and I tell her to just let him eat in peace!).  Then a few days back I left DS at a baby ryhme time session with DP whilst I popped to the shop.  I forgot they had snack time and as I returned walked in to find DS hacking up a whole dried apricot.  It's just about the only food he can't handle and I wouldn't have even offered them to him knowing he can't chew them but DP didn't know.  DS coped well, gagged, hacked up, went red in the face and then moved on to a piece of apple instead.  I was quite pleased I returned when I did though so he wasn't offered any more apricots.

Now that DS is 9.5 months he doesn't cause a stir when he eats out, it only seems to amaze people when they are really teeny tiny.  People don't bat an eye now, I suppose he just looks like any (older) child eating so it's no big deal.  Khalam's mama, I know what you mean about high chair trays - they are often filthy.  It's the only time I use a disposable anti-bacterial wipe and I give the tray a good scrub before I let DS eat off it.  I bought one of those roll up place mats with suckers and a catch tray which can stick to restaurant tables but have yet to use it out.  It's good for at home at the dining table though.

Becky, I ignored any advised age on the packs of snacks (organix biscuits etc) as the age is a guidance for puree weaning LOs so doesn't really relate to BLW.  As many people start with rusks (which I wouldn't give to DS because of the sugar content) I see no problem at all with giving the biscuits.  The moon ones are chunky a bit like a rusk so harder to break through and kind of get gummed and sucked.  The other biscuits are thinner like a regular biscuit (I think they are a lot nicer than regular biscuits).  It's all your choice what you offer and when, I try to avoid the very sweet things even when I know there is no sugar in them (just fruit) as I don't want DS to get a sweet tooth and dried fruit is a lot sweeter than fresh.

Squeakers mum, in the UK egg whites are considered fine from 6 months (all egg must be fully cooked before 12 months), no whole nuts (choke hazard.  ground or flaked are considered ok) and no peanuts if there is known allergy in the family, no raw shellfish.  Limit how many servings of oily fish (4 per wk for boys, just 2 per week for girls).  I think that's all.  Almost everything is ok from 6 months which I think makes the whole process a lot easier to deal with.  Meat is fine too (but as with anything beware of added salt for example in ham).  My DS still doesn't eat a lot of meat but it's gradually gone up over the months.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 27, 2011, 03:28:15 am
Squeakersmum, my LO has loved meat right from the get go - one of the first things she had was a big chuck of roast beef that she just sucked and gummed away at for aaaages. She also likes minced chicken (or other meat) made into little sausages with some onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, herbs and an egg to bind it all. We held off on egg whites til she was 7 months just out of an abundance of caution really, but the latest advice now that I've heard is that six months is fine if there's no history of allergy, so it's a personal choice.

As with puree weaning, there are a few things you might want to introduce a bit later or more slowly, especially if there is a history of food allergy, eczema or hayfever - dairy, wheat, soy, eggs etc. Not that you have to avoid them, but maybe do the three day wait on those (we didn't bother with it for most things, but did with these). We had no history of any food allergy but my DH and I both have other allergies, and it transpires that my LO has a mild dairy allergy - so I was glad we were watching out for it.

Creations, everyone still stares (and pulls out their camera, LOL) when they see my LO eat. Maybe partly because she's foreign, but I think too that babies here don't feed themselves finger food at all until they're much older. We've had our students come to us and request permission to video her because they've gone home and told people about her and have been accused of making up stories...

Welcome Becky :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: petram on October 27, 2011, 09:19:40 am
Hi ladies

I am brand new to BLW and very inspired by this thread, but i have loads of questions!!!!

Can you give them ANYTHING?
So for eg, we had sausage and mash and peas and carrots for dinner last night, is there any of that you would not give lo?

When you puree wean, its advised to introduce foods at certain ages, why don't you do that with BLW?

My lo is 6 months on 3rd Nov, so i will be starting very soon, would giving him banana, carrots, pear, broccoli, be ideal foods to start with?

What about bread/toast, what do you put on it, butter, jam, phily....?

Is there anything that is really good or really bad to give them?

Ooooo im so excited about starting!!!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on October 27, 2011, 10:42:57 am
Hi Petram! I'm in the same situation as you. Very excited to get started but still a bit unsure about what to give when. Its so different from puree weaning isn't it? I'm currently reading the book so hopefully that will answer some questions too!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 27, 2011, 12:56:33 pm
Welcome Petram! If you haven't read the book yet, here's an article based on Gill Rapley's research which gives a good intro to BLW and the main guidelines:
http://www.borstvoeding.com/voedselintroductie/blw/engels.html]
[url]http://www.borstvoeding.com/voedselintroductie/blw/engels.html
[/url]

You can start with many of the same foods that you would otherwise, just don't puree them - offer them in a form that your LO can pick up on his own. The foods you mention - banana, carrots, pear and broccoli - are all great. For banana, either get the small finger bananas and offer them whole, or cut bigger ones into sticks (bit slippery!). My LO's first food was carrot - again, stick shaped so he can grab it, cooked enough so that it holds it's shape but will mush against the top of his mouth. Pear you can give raw (peeled) if it's really ripe and soft, or else stewed or poached. Or baked, I suppose! Broccoli florets have a natural handle, so just steam until they're nice and soft but not falling apart.

The theory of BLW is basically that babies will choose to, and be able to, eat food as they are ready for it - but you are still in charge of what you offer! Mainly, you should avoid offering foods with added salt (as babies' kidneys can't process it) or sugar (they just don't need it). If there's a history of allergy, you might want to hold off on common allergens or be cautious about introducing them. And don't offer things that are small and hard, eg nuts, because they ARE a choking hazard - I'm also careful with cherry tomatoes, grapes etc. I cut them in half.

We didn't start off with family meals straight away - at the start I introduced individual foods (although I didn't follow the three day rule, except for the common allergens). So a meal might be just carrot sticks and plain brown rice, or one chuck of beef and a couple of broccoli florets, or a mix of pumpkin and potato wedges. I slowly introduced herbs and spices to make things interesting. And after a few weeks, when she'd tried lots of different things, I started giving her what we were having or a variation on it.

So from the meal you mention - I would say mashed potato is fine, just put a big clump on his tray and let him go for it. But be aware that if it's made with butter or milk, they are potential allergens. Carrots, cook them in bigger pieces than you would for yourself, so he can grab them. Peas, he's unlikely to have enough of a pincer grip to be able to pick up at this stage, but he might like chasing them (make sure they're well cooked too, or squish each one a little so they're not a choking hazard). I'd avoid most bought sausages because of the salt content - but if they're home made without salt, no problem.

With toast, I would avoid jam because of the sugar content. I give it plain and my LO eats it fine! But she has a dairy allergy, so we can't use butter. If that's not an issue, try a little butter with a sprinkling of cinnamon (mmmm), philly or cottage cheese, french toast, mashed banana (messy but fun :))... basically just avoid added sugar or salt (you might want to check the salt content of the bread you buy as well...some are higher than others...)

Sorry for the lengthy post. BLW is lots of fun, hope you and your LO enjoy it!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: jay2yay on October 27, 2011, 16:03:18 pm
Welcome Petram! I started BLW about a month and a half ago and I still have questions! Mine are very similar to yours....it's the whole added salt thing....I had one mom the other day tell me around my DS's age they let their son have pizza. I thought to myself, "Pizza?!?" isn't there too much salt in pizza? I might be taking it too literally....I almost feel like if it has salt, I can't give it to him but it sounds like a little salt with moderation is fine.

I also haven't given DS any dairy yet either. He used to seem sensitive when I drank milk or ate yogurt. But lately when I've eaten it, he hasn't seemed all that bothered so maybe it's okay now.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on October 27, 2011, 19:30:06 pm
Papaya - it doesn't surprise me about LOs there not having finger foods until later, my brother lives in China where his son was born.  They came over to the UK to visit with his DS was 18 months and he was still only eating baby rice (blleuckk!!!) and bottles of milk, occasionally a jar of stage 1 (but very hard to find and buy where my brother lives).
On about their second day here I had him sitting at the dining table with the rest of us eating a home made lasagna :)
After that he totally refused baby rice or jarred puree - and I'm not surprised, he suddenly discovered he had taste buds and wanted to explore this new world of food.  I wasn't hard on my bro for not introducing real food earlier though, he's doing a great job of being a single daddy and he was basically led by those around him for what to do.

With the salt thing, I take it very seriously.  I read an article about the increase of problems with babies due to high salt intake and much of it seemed to be blamed on baked beans.  Now I consider baked beans (on toast) a pretty cheap but healthyish meal for an adult, not when it comes to LO though.  a tiny amount of low salt beans (maybe couple of dessert spoons) and half a piece of bread/toast (with unsalted butter) and his salt allowance for the day has been blown out of the water, plus this wouldn't necessarily fill him up.  When you start looking at salt content it's pretty scary but in a short space of time you work out just how much of something they can have and balance salt over a day.  1g of salt for under 12months (0.4g sodium) per day.

I use unsalted butter for LO, limit how much cheese (different cheeses have different levels too) and canned fish and he gets (and never buy in brine, only sunflower oil), would never give something like a sausage or pizza unless it was home made.

I also didn't start with family meals but I always sat and ate with DS so he thought it was a family meal, he could see I was eating exactly the same and he also got the social aspect of eating together as a family.  I started with one fruit or veg at each meal time then moved to two different things.  He was into food from the word go so we were on three meals per day straight off even though they were not entire 'meals'.  you can offer a balanced diet over a full day or a week rather than at each meal time too.  In Tracy's BW for toddlers she describes the HELP approach (Hold back, let them Explore, Limit choices and Praise) and I think this works well with weaning, I found DS was overwhelmed with too much choice in the early days so limiting to one or two items on his tray allowed him to really explore what was there.

I should also say I never read the book and generally refer to DS as a self-feeder rather than BLW because we did our own thing including having me hold food for him to gnaw on the first few times he ate (he was crying so much that he wanted it but couldn't hold it!) and many many times me holding up a piece of food for him to take off me rather than having to pick it up off his tray himself.  Although I haven't read the book I believe these are kind of 'breaking the rules' but I don't care :)  I did what suited us and it worked very well.
Moon shape and do-nut shaped pieces are also good for picking up (not just fingers and wedges which can be slippery) for example rings of pear de-cored as it gives a place to grip.

And, yes it is LOADS of fun.  Do remember to get the video camera set up occasionally too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on October 27, 2011, 21:15:56 pm
Thanks for the advice! Until what age are they so sensitive to salt?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on October 27, 2011, 22:54:21 pm
They need less than adults until about 7 i think but it is 1g under 1 and 2g per day between 1 and 2y. It increases about a gRam a year i think. we have been doing ok here. I gave b some seas today and as i walked out the room i heard "oh it's too slippery for you. Shall nana hold it for you?" i had to remind her it isn't grannie lead weaning.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 28, 2011, 03:30:56 am
many many times me holding up a piece of food for him to take off me rather than having to pick it up off his tray himself.

I've read an interview with Gill Rapley where someone asked about this and she said it was fine - polite even, I believe her words were! You're still offering. She said it's only a problem when you start closing LO hands around something or guiding it to their mouth, when they couldn't otherwise do that for themselves.

I also would never give my LO bought pizza at this age - but she LOVES homemade pizza. I always make my own anyway, so  now don't put salt in the dough, and make a little individual one for her. On top she has tomato paste with chopped garlic and herbs, then usually some onion, mushroom, maybe a bit of shredded chicken or flaked fish, peas (she likes to pick these off the cooked pizza first, then eat the rest ;)) etc. No cheese for her anyway at this stage, but otherwise I would add just a little.

Just generally now, I don't add any salt at all to my cooking, and put the salt shaker on the table for others to add their own. Then I don't have to try and remember, is this something that F is allowed to eat or not...it all is. Takes a bit of getting used to (especially for DH:)) but actually makes life much easier if you're doing BLW.

Agree that it's great to sit and eat with your LO right from the start if you can, even if it's just a snack for you. Since we've been on 2 naps a day, family mealtimes usually work, but on the days they don't I usually have a little something at the same time as she eats. I can also be doing something else at the table, eg chopping veges, and she's happy with that, but mostly I try to just sit and eat (or nibble!).

I've never managed to get a good video of her eating because she's far too fascinated with the camera to carry on eating! Need to try and hide it somehow :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on October 28, 2011, 08:23:19 am
i had to remind her it isn't grannie lead weaning.
I get really quite annoyed with DS's Nana.  She loudly repeats 'CHEW CHEW CHEW CHEW CHEW' through his entire meal if not stopped by me.  I have pointed out that he doesn't understand the word 'chew' and although I'm all for language aquasition I don't think this is the most important word for him to learn, neither do I think it polite or gives a realistic sense of how a normal meal plays out.  Imagine if every time we went to a restaurant the waiter stood next to us shouting 'chew chew! drink! bite!, spit it out!' good grief!!  She also jabs her finger on his tray repeatedly, like a wood-pecker, saying 'there's your banana, there's your banana, eat this carrot eat this carrot'.  I've started doing it back to her.  She's a lovely woman and I appreciate her support and help but PLEASE let the boy just eat in peace.

Papaya your home made pizza sounds yummy.  I don't think I've ever made fresh pizza dough but think it would be a good addition to my cooking skills, would I just follow a normal recipe but leave out the salt, will it still work?

DS is also fascinated by the camera, no matter what cureness he is displaying, the second the camera appears he stops and just stares at it until a picture is taken.  The only way I managed to film him was to set up the camera on the table permanently so he got used to it being there, he still spent most of the meal staring at it whilst he ate as though showing off to his audience lol

I think BLW is a great way to generally improve the whole family's meals in terms of less salt, less or no processed foods, more veg and fruit etc.  Rather than baby eating what the family eats I see it as a sort of adaptation that the family eats what baby eats, kind of anyway.  I found it difficult at the beginning to do DS's dinner (evening meal) and eat with him because it is so early, 5.15pm and I was used to eating around 8pm after her was in bed but I sometimes now eat a full meal with him at that time and maybe just get myself a snack later on.  Our evening meal is therefore more of a quick meal like many people have for lunch, where as our lunch is the big meal of the day, I have more time to prepare it and DS eats better at that meal.  By dinner he is so tired he wouldn't cope with a big meal.

As I've not read the book it's really interesting to read what you said about holding food up to offer to LO.  From what I've read in bits on line I thought this was frowned upon, it pleases me that it's considered OK as I was imagining many babies getting upset about not being able to get their food! DS was SO into food it would have been pure cruelty to not help him where he wanted help.  He is very clear about if/when he needs a little help and generally wants to do it all himself but the early days it is very difficult to pick up those slippery fruits.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on October 28, 2011, 10:01:59 am
I once read somewhere that to make fruit less slippery it can be lightly coated with baby rice...

I dread to think what my MIL's reaction to blw is going to be. I haven't told her we're planning to use it but I can imagine the comments she's going to pass ::). We're probably going to have a row about it during which she will accuse us of child starvation and cruelty. Luckily DH has no problem standing up to his mum ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 28, 2011, 11:41:18 am
Coating in wheatgerm is also commonly recommended...I have tried this with banana and it made it less slippery for about half a minute, until it had been picked up once, dropped back on the tray and squished a little...then slippery again :) But give it a go!

Child starvation, yeah right! It took a month or so, but I'm convinced my LO now eats tons more than babies who are on a certain number of tablespoons of puree per day!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: jay2yay on October 28, 2011, 14:49:53 pm
lol KM

Thanks for the salt info.

So...any recommendations for an LO who choves as much as he can into his mouth? He's been doing that A LOT...almost at every meal. This morning it was banana. He choved a huge chunk into his mouth and I let it go....he chewed for a couple seconds and then the look came. He choked the worse I'd ever seen and his eyes got all teary and red. I finger swiped the banana out. It's things like that that just make me want to give him bite size pieces. :(
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on October 28, 2011, 15:06:03 pm
That must be scary! :(
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on October 28, 2011, 21:46:35 pm
Justine my DS puts as much as he can in his mouth too, and once when his Nana and Nana's friend were over Nana was basically telling him to htake small bites (as if he understands) but her friend told her that all kids shove as much as they can in and also do as little chewing as poss and just swallow big pieces (she has grandchildren who were puree weaned and they do it too).  But I was far far more scared of small pieces. At least with big pieces he knows he is shoving it in his mouth.  These days I let DS have raisins and small pieces of food as I feel he is self feeding so well but at the beginning it was bite sized pieces that scared the hell out of me.  DS was playing one day and I noticed a button had fallen off his cardigan, that worried me more than anything I had given him to eat, it was right next to him and he could so easily have noticed it before I did.  Given the choice between a plastic button and a plastic plate I'd rather he put the larger of the two in his mouth and that's my approach with food size too.

DS gets red in the face, teary eyed and looks like he is choking pretty often, but he manages to cough whatever it is back up without interference so I never consider it a choke.  I just hold back and see what happens.  I think part of holding back is I don't want to scare him and part of it is the first aid course I did said you can make them choke by mouth sweeping so advised against it.

Sorry I don't have any recommendations other than do a pediatric first aid course if you haven't already done one.  It only needs to be a short course where you are shown with a dummy baby what to do in a choke situation.  I suppose you could find videos on-line to watch too.  It must have been scary for you.  How did LO react afterwards?  Was he upset?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 29, 2011, 04:01:01 am
Justine, F used to do that too - she didn't have many bad gagging experiences, but she used to flail her arms wildly and we knew that meant she had too much in her mouth and didn't quite know what to do about it. But she learnt, and now she usually knows not to put in so much (unless it's something REALLY yummy like watermelon or mango, and then she sometimes forgets). I think it might be a phase they have to go through at some stage. It is scary, but I would always just sit right there with her, and try to speak calmly to her - have you got too much in your mouth? You can take some out... sometimes she would get a bit red in the face and teary, but I was always sure that it was gagging, not choking. And she's usually not upset at all afterwards - she just reaches for something else. So I think follow I's cues in that regard too - if he's upset, maybe it was too difficult for him for now. If not, it was just a learning experience.

Creations, I use the same dough for my pizza dough as when I bake bread. I got the basic recipe from here: http://www.annamariavolpi.com/pizza_recipe.html
but have adapted it, so I use about 1/4 cup of oats (the instant kind), 1/2 cup of rye flour, 1/2 cup of wholemeal flour, and 2 cups of white (more as needed). The trick is to leave the dough stickier than you're comfortable with when kneading - it's tempting to keep adding flour til it doesn't stick to your hands, but don't! When making a loaf, I leave dough to rise, punch down, put in loaf tin, leave again for half and hour and then bake at 180 degrees for about 35 mins (depends on your loaftin. or you could do it without a tin, just on an oven tray).
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: squeakersmum on October 29, 2011, 08:25:36 am
Hmm. Noticed something weird and wanted to ask you ladies about it. I made DS a fishcake for dinner yesterday and gave some to DD to try. She seemed to really enjoy it and some bits were actually going in! But about 10 minutes later all the lumps came back ???

I've actually noticed that this happens a lot. She'll have a gnaw on something and swallow a few little bits but then brings them back up.

Any ideas? Normal or not?

I should add that she is very sicky and always has been.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on October 29, 2011, 19:19:43 pm
Thanks for the recipe Nuala :)

Squeakers mum - the only time DS sicks up is either he has swallowed a piece of something way too big and it gets stuck half way down so it has to come back up (he looks uncomfortable for a moment whilst he brings it up but once it's out he generally picks it up and has another go at it - yum!) or when he has drunk lots of water.  He has silent reflux, so usually not generally very sicky but when the reflux is worse he does sick up, in his case it's the water that is coming back up but it seems to drag a few lumps with it (usually of something very dry like rice cake so I've stopped giving them to him).  I'm not going to limit water intake though as he obviously wants it.  But it doesn't sound like this is what's happening with your LO and I don't have any other ideas.

(I just posted this on another thread but thought I'd copy it over here too)
I had a scary choke session today.
Whilst DS sat in his highchair pushing an entire banana and then kiwi quarters down his throat I managed to choke on the smallest slither of kiwi imaginable.  It was horrible I really needed to cough and couldn't breath in enough to get enough air for a cough...I did somehow manage to produce a cough which must have dislodged it some and I sucked in a tiny bit of air which must have also been breathing the kiwi back in!  It went on for maybe 5 mins and with each tiny cough I must have dislodged it enough to get a tiny bit more air in, by the end of this I was breathing lots and coughing a huge amount whilst also trying to tell DS that mummy was fine in a really cheery voice as he looked so worried.  I continued coughing quite a bit for the next hour or so and could still feel something small moving there.  How stupid do you feel when a 9 month old manages his food better than you do??!!

I think this is a good reminder of what Nuala has said, if they aren't upset at all afterwards then it wasn't a choke.  I felt pretty rotten and had to force myself to continue eating to show DS I was ok.  The only times he has been upset are when he chokes on water from his sippy cup which on occasion has put him off the rest of his food.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 30, 2011, 01:39:50 am
yes, I meant to say too that the only thing F chokes on is water!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on October 30, 2011, 21:50:29 pm
Hello all,

Started BLW 2 weeks ago and am not feeling confident about what to give LJ that she can feed herself. Have done pretty much everything Squeakersmum talked about, including the rice cakes. LJ's not eating much at all but I am remaining calm and only occasionally think I should go with the purée weaning - have mushed up a little bit of food and LJ puts it in her mouth if you give her the spoon with something on it.

Anyway, just had the brainwave of looking on BW and yay - it hasn't let me down. Why did into think of this weeks ago? On it every day!!

So... definitely sticking with BLW now and am going to try some of these amazing recipes. Thanks xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: jay2yay on October 31, 2011, 02:41:54 am
Thanks for the advice creations and Nuala :)

It's so hard to sit back when he gets that bad. But he wasn't upset when I took it out- he immediately wanted more so I guess that's my answer.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on October 31, 2011, 02:48:27 am
Welcome Snowbird!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on October 31, 2011, 20:41:21 pm
Welcome snowbird.

We had a really good weekend for BLW. We went away so we ate all sorts of different things B did fantastic. He had a cooked breakfast one morning and a fruit salad the next. For dinner we had a party with a buffet and he did great. Today we had a halloween party and he sat with the other kids and had loads of bread sticks. And his nappy is full of undigested bits of food so I know it is going in now.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 01, 2011, 09:52:17 am
I tried some porridge on a loaded spoon this morning but he got so frustrated. I made it thick so it would stay on but then he couldn't get it off. I gave him a crumpet and he ate loads. If i look at the tray there is so much waste i think he hasn't eaten any but when he pôos it is lumpy so he must be.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 01, 2011, 10:34:42 am
F still struggles with loaded spoons and mostly can't be bothered, although she had a bit of a breakthrough a couple of days ago and actually managed to eat a bit of porridge from one. It's much easier for her to use her fingers - but she does like to try with the spoon occasionally so I always have one there and wait for her to reach out for it.

It's surprising how much they do put away, eh, even when you think they've just played with it.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 01, 2011, 13:14:48 pm
It must be a while before they can have soup? Seems s shame, its so healthy...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 01, 2011, 13:29:23 pm
I know, I love soup! But you can make some soups super thick, and use as a sauce for pasta or rice. Did this with sweetcorn chicken soup (blended) and rice this evening, and she put away piles of it. I've done it with curried sweet potato soup too - yum.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 01, 2011, 15:23:19 pm
They can use it as dip too for bread or bread sticks etc.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 01, 2011, 19:09:52 pm
Thanks! By loaded spoons, I'm assuming you load the spoon up and then just hand it to LO? I've been trying to come up with ideas for finger foods more as tried this a few times but didn't think it was necessarily 'baby led'. Although, suppose she is still feeding herself. LJ likes to take the spoon and put it on her mouth. If she gets the right end she gets it in lol but sometimes struggles with ing it off the spoon xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 01, 2011, 19:22:09 pm
It is fine to load the spoon. It suggests doing so in the book. They Will only eat it if they want it need it and have the skills to do so. It says to do it with naturally sloppy food like porridge or yogurt rather than puree.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 01, 2011, 20:41:55 pm
Lovely - thanks Khalam's mum. Must get the book. Is it best to get the general one or do you think it's worth getting the cookbook one? Xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 01, 2011, 20:53:48 pm
I have the general. I haven't seen the cook book.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 01, 2011, 21:31:16 pm
DS has been using a loaded fork on and off since 6 months too.  It started when he growled at me and slammed his hands down on his tray because I had a fork and he didn't!  Obviously I didn't really want to give a fork to a 6 month old, I thought he'd stab himself in the eye!!  I ended up giving him one of those small plastic forks that come with a fruit salad from the supermarket.  Still quite sharp so I was very very careful with it, but not as scary as a proper fork.  Forks sold as baby forks have such rounded prongs that they can't pick anything up.
He generally self-feeds with his fingers, but every now and then he has a phase of wanting the fork so I pre-load for him.  He's always had great skill with his hands though (passing from one hand to another very early and able to let go very early too).  Other things he was 'slow' to develop but his manual dexterity was always 'ahead'.
I think part of his success with feeding has been that I've been willing to go with what he wanted to do, even when that was feeding him porridge off a spoon whilst he gave me the bird mouth of expectation (in the early days).
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 02, 2011, 17:09:52 pm
Today I gave Sophia a bit of pear. She sucked on it and pulled a face, didn't seem too impressed. But then this evening I gave her some carrot and broccoli and she had a really good chew on it! :D. I had to hand them to her and not sure if any went down but she certainly enjoyed trying ;D. Its very exciting!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 04, 2011, 11:32:01 am
Yesterday I gave her broccoli and carrot again but the last 2 mornings she seems to have had a tummy ache. She also had a bit of toast in the morning on both days. I'm wondering if any of these could have caused it. I posted on the main board; solids causing tummy ache? Would appreciate if anyone could take a look. Thanks!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 04, 2011, 23:23:18 pm
I think it's quite normal for there to be some tummy pain, sleep disruption and so on when introducing solids.  Hopefully it's just a short time whilst her digestive system gets to grips with the change in food.  If you think it gets worse or she's really in pain then maybe look for increased wind caused by certain foods etc  I think usually it calms down.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 05, 2011, 03:42:47 am
Agree, if it seems minor. F had a bit of extra gas for the first week or two but it was just food in general, not one particular food. That's partly why I avoided giving dinner for the first few weeks, and only offered breakfast and lunch - more time for the little system to deal with the food before bedtime.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 05, 2011, 08:04:54 am
I think it might have been the broccoli. I gave her food in the evenings as that was the time she could sit and eat with dd1, but yes I think I'll try breakfast and lunch only for a bit.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 09, 2011, 12:10:22 pm
Hi everyone,

I'm having similar issues with my LO and think it's probably food in general.  She has been waking up once in the night and crying.  I know that it is tummy ache/constipation as on a couple of occasions she's had a hard pellet-like poo and then been ok.  It is only once in the night usually and do think that's odd.  Trying to work out if it is just tummy ache/constipation or if there's something else going on.  The other night we had a few wakings - one when we were in bed at 3am.  She also wakes from naps crying on occasions.  So unlike her - my angel/textbook baby that normally just coos away to herself.

I've gone EASY on the solids and am questioning whether I should be BLW again!!!???  My hubby suggested we should puree/mush things up but I told him that it wouldn't make any difference as it's the food itself - what do you all think?

xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 09, 2011, 12:14:19 pm
Another question about foods the blw way...

I gave LJ grapes the other day - peeled and halved.  My hubby and I sat back and watched what she did with them but were not happy about these going in her mouth - they are still so big and LJ wasn't sure when she got one in either.  We ended up mushing them up a bit and feeding her little bits.  She enjoyed it! Not very baby led I know.  What are your thoughts?

I also gave her cucumber the other day and she sucked on it.  Is this enough? Suppose she's getting the water from it and the taste.

Have bought the lbw book from /amazon and waiting for delivery tomo.  Think I need to read it properly so I can be more confident if I'm going ro go down this route.

xxx

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 09, 2011, 14:19:07 pm
I don't think it will make a difference if food is whole or pureed. What type of foods are you trying? Mine has been fine since I stopped broccoli. Have given carrot and sweet potato and some toast for bfast. I sometimes get a but concerned when she bites a piece of something off but she either chews and swallows or spits out again. If the grape is soft should be ok but if you're not comfortable with them maybe leave them out for now...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 09, 2011, 16:18:28 pm
I've only tried broccoli twice - once I don't think she actually ate any - it was all over the floor! The second time we were out at the pub and I gave her some to munch on.  She had a good chew on it but I don't think it made things any worse!

LJ's tried toast with butter, carrots, slightly roasted sweet potato (so it doesn't fall apart when she picks it up), banana, rice cakes, broccoli, mashed potato, peas.  More recently grapes and cucumber (she was definitely upset before these) and today she's tried pear and a tiny bit of apple for the first time.

I think it's probably just solid food in general.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 09, 2011, 21:24:41 pm
From that list banana apple and carrot are all Constipating so maybe lay off those. Are you giving water? Also wanted to ask how lo are taking water. I have been offering an open cup but he needs help. I've been giving warm water too to help with bm's. We have taken off her with food. He is not just breaking it all up and smearing it over the tray now. We have tried all sorts now. Dh gave him some cereal on a spoon today while i was out. I think i need to tell him more about blw. As far as the grapes go putting anything in her mouth is a big no no. She is more likely to manage it well if she puts it in. What about slicing the grapes?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 10, 2011, 03:20:32 am
I also gave her cucumber the other day and she sucked on it.  Is this enough? Suppose she's getting the water from it and the taste.

My LO has always loved cucumber, especially when teething. She used to just suck it and rub it against her gums, but now that she has a few teeth, she can scrape more of the flesh off the skin.

Agree about offering water with meals to try and fend off constipation. F has been on a sippy cup since before five months (first with EBF, then water), but is just now getting better at holding it herself. There's a thread on constipating foods if you're concerned, it applies just as much to BLW as puree feeding. I just give F prunes to chew on when needed (the nice soft kind), which usually seems to do the trick. She LOVES them - she got through five in one sitting once.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: jay2yay on November 10, 2011, 14:57:15 pm
I'm having a hard time getting enough veges into Isaac. He sorta just plays with them and after a few bites is not interested.

Snowbird- Isaac was constipated A LOT when we first started solids. Slowly over time it got better. Now I can feed him anything without really worrying about it (within reason).
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 10, 2011, 15:57:59 pm
Thanks for all your thoughts and advice.

Khalam's mama - she's had banana, sweet potato and carrot today lol so will see how it goes. Slicing the grapes is a good idea - will try it tomo!

LJ's not woken at all the last 2 nights and she had a softer poo this morning so fingers crossed. Think it must be the solids/constipation.

LJ has started taking water out of a doidy cup for the last few days and is doing well. I hold it for her.  She's drinking more than I expected.

Xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 10, 2011, 21:11:51 pm
Snowbird, I see you're in the UK.  If you've been sent a weaning pack from your HV (or info in the birth to five book) there should be a purée/mush/lumps/finger-food schedule on there, and you'll see that finger foods are recommended to be introduced at 6 months even if you go the purée/traditional weaning route.  One of the schedules I was given showed that pureed food was only offered for 1 to 2 weeks, then mashed for another couple weeks then lumps.  It is a RAPID move from one to the other and finger foods THROUGHOUT.  So, maybe think of it this way; all you are doing is missing out the puree.  That's how I approached it because I haven't read the book.
I think the general belief that purees go on for months and months comes from previous generations who weaned at 12 wks or even 6 weeks rather than waiting until 6 months.
I'm SO glad I went this route with DS because everyone at the baby groups I go to has problems with their LOs eating.  Either they refuse to move on from stage 1, or refuse to eat home cooked foods and will only take jars, or the mother complains that the baby wants to hold something and feed themselves but she won't let the baby as it makes too much mess (at 13+ months).
My DS is turning 10 months soon and he makes just about no mess, most meal times I don't even have to wipe the floor over.  The only time food goes to the floor now is if I am not fast enough in reading his 'I'm full' signals and remove the food from his tray and clean him up.  He has a lovely patient character in all other respects but is so very impatient to get out of the high chair once he's had his fill and will systematically drop every item onto the floor once he's full.

grapes - I avoided anything that size/shape for a couple of months until I was confident DS had really good mouth control.  I heard too many choke incidents about grapes.  I now cut them in half but don't worry about him eating them.
prunes - agree they are great to naturally control the BMs.  DS loves them but I'll only let him have one (he'd eat a pack if I let him I'm sure!).  I did let him have 3 once but realised my error the next day ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 11, 2011, 02:12:06 am
To clarify, the time I let F have five prunes, she really needed them ;)...usually we stop at one or two as well!

I wish F were such a tidy eater, creations! To be fair, she is pretty good and CAN be extremely tidy, with no mess to wipe up at all except her hands and tray. I think it's mainly the teething at the moment has her a bit scratchy and impatient and there's a fair bit of throwing going on. I'm just keeping meal times pretty short right now, as I think she's just not that interested in food while her gums are bothering her.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 11, 2011, 06:42:44 am
We're not getting on badly here but I'm sometimes having trouble knowing what to give her. I know she is supposed to be able to share our meals but at 6 months is it really ok to give her, eg pasta? Or yesterday for dinner we gave her chicken and rice, surely rice is a bit small?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 11, 2011, 07:38:09 am
My LO has had rice since day one - literally, her first meal was rice with carrot. I just made sure it was well cooked, maybe a bit more than I usually would, so it clumped together nicely. She was more interested in throwing it for quite a while, but now LOVES it - makes taking her out easy, as we're guaranteed to be able to get a small bowl of plain rice everywhere here, and I know she will eat that and some fruit and be happy, even if not much else is suitable for her.

She had pasta pretty early on too - again, cooked a little more than I usually would. Plain first, then with sauce (as I gradually introduced the sauce ingredients, tomatoes etc).

So at first, she didn't share our meals, although I always ate something at the same time as she did. The first couple of weeks I tended to prepare things just for her to get her trying a few things and checking for intolerances, and then I started adapting one or two components of our meal for her: If we were having rice and curry, she'd have rice and steamed vegetables. If were were having pasta with a sauce with lots of different ingredients, she'd have plain spirals, or with a bit of olive oil and herbs sprinkled on.  Now we eat most meals together unless she needs an early night; and she eats pretty much everything we do unless it has dairy, in which case I make her a similar alternative.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 11, 2011, 08:54:56 am
I know she is supposed to be able to share our meals but at 6 months is it really ok to give her, eg pasta? Or yesterday for dinner we gave her chicken and rice, surely rice is a bit small?
This is perhaps where 'my' method is maybe different from the book (as not read it).  I didn't give him my meals, instead I ate his.  When first introducing I made things especially right for him, ie baked potato or sweet potato wedges etc and I ate a few of exactly the same.  It meant I needed to make myself something later on when he was in bed but the very early days he was overwhelmed by having more than one or two foods or items on his tray so this bit of limitation worked for us (it was only a short period of time really).  This works well with Tracy's toddler guidance to HELP your LO (hold back, let him Explore, LIMIT, Praise).  There'd be no harm in you having a 'full' meal and just giving LO one aspect of it though, like pot wedges or a few green beans say.

We now (10 months) have 'proper' meals but they are all still prepared with him in mind so it is still more a case of I eat what he eats rather than the other way.  I don't put salt, sugar or honey in anything, I make his sandwiches with unsalted butter, bake with unsalted butter etc.
Pasta is a big hit here, with or without sauce and vegies (again cooking everything without salt).  He liked pasta straight off, the only difficulty was finding a shape he could pick up easily.  Spirals, twists or shells give a good grip where as penne doesn't.  Everyone does the spaghetti meal I think, some kids are really cute eating spag, mine just got annoyed that I'd given him something too difficult to eat so we won't be doing that again for a good while!
My DS has never liked rice, there are very few things he won't eat but that's one of them.  If you don't feel confident about the size you could mush it slightly (yes cheating but I don't care!) or offer the chicken and leave the rice out until you feel better about it.
We have curry and chilli here, but not major hot.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 11, 2011, 12:48:18 pm
Thanks ladies, that helps!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 11, 2011, 20:24:27 pm
I have been cooking meals with B in mind. I dont think this goes against the book. It is the same as cooking for my 2yo. I wouldn't cook vindaloo for him but maybe make a milder curry for example. B was slow to start but since hitting 6mo 3wk ago he has come on so quickly. Today he had banana and pancakes for breakfast, loaded spoon soup and bread then yogurt for lunch and chicken, sweet pot wedges and broccoli for dinner. The book says to offer 2 or 3 things per meal and something from each food group throughout the day. I bought some fruit for helping the bm's including prunes. I Will give them tomorrow. I do find dinner is too close to bt if he fats with us but i have tried to at least get him and k to eat together.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 11, 2011, 21:50:23 pm
Thank you all! This thread is great! Lovely to talk about it and get ideas from you all. My books turned up today - blw, the blw cookbook and annabelle karmel's 100 finger foods. Flicked through blw and read your comments and already feeling better.

LJ woke crying at 3am constipated again.  She's so good with it though - when she was calm I left her and she babbled away to herself until she fell asleep.  How lucky we are!

Think banana might be ok as she was fine just with this. Think carrot may be the problem - going to try cutting it out for a bit and see how she is. Going to try cheese on toast  and then some fruit.

Maybe pasta bolognaise if we have it for dinner early enough. We have the same prob as Khalam's mama - the main meal is too late for LJ as she's in bed between 6 and half 7, depending on whether or not she cat naps in the afternoon.

Xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 11, 2011, 22:28:20 pm
Dinner is late for S too but she has it with DD1 and I nibble a bit of whatever I give her. Is cheese ok from now? And I assume its the baby yoghurts for now?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 11, 2011, 22:35:44 pm
Yes, I tend to eat with LJ if it's not a meal time- normally whatever it is she's having.

I've given LJ strips of red Leicester cheese a few times and she had a good suck/nibble on it. Definitely her father's daughter - another cheese fan!

Wondered about the yogurts myself...

Xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 11, 2011, 23:34:56 pm
Snowbird, I know I've already said this many times, but possibly not recetnly where you might have read it, so I'll say it again.  Carrots firm my LO up.  If you find it is causing the constipation you don't have to rule them out for ever, use them as a natural control of the BM.  Depending how DS is I make carrot or give prune, it's really nice to have these foods as 'tools'.  Obviously serious constipation could need meds but using the foods to balance it all out avoids it getting serious.

As long as there is no dairy allergy you can give cow milk in cooking (including cheese and yogurt etc) from 6 months, UK guides.
Beware of what yogurts are aimed at babies and children though.  Many of them are PACKED with sugar.  I used to buy a big tub of 100% cow milk yoghurt with nothing added at all.  DS loved it, you can add some fruit of your own if you want it flavoured.  I stopped yoghurt though as it aggravates his silent reflux.
Cheese is fine, but I'd suggest do some pack reading to learn about salt levels.  Go for one you like which is as low in salt as you can manage, it's amazing how the salt levels vary on the diff types of cheese.  I try not to give cheese on the same day as something else that has salt in it (like canned tuna for example) or give in very small quantities.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: dburseth on November 12, 2011, 01:29:52 am
Hi, I've started ds on some solids the past 2 weeks.  A bit of BLW(banana, yams and avacado) and some spoon fed cereal. I don't have the book so I've just been going by online reading so far.  I'm starting slow because we're not quite 6 months yet(2 more weeks) but my boy is ready and willing to eat!  I have 3 questions for you...

I understand the idea of feeding cereal at 6 months is mostly for the enriched iron and they need more at this age, no?  So with BLW do you just make it thicker so they can use thier hands or concentrate more on other foods high in iron?  If so which ones would you suggest starting with? ds will grab the spoon already and put it in his mouth, but he shoves it too far in right now if I don't help him and I worry he'll just hurt himself.

He has 2 teeth already and he tends to bite chunks off.  Do I need to worry when he's just starting out? 

How do you incorporate breast feeding with solids?  I've been bfing first then waiting an hour maybe so he's not ravenous.  Then offering again after to wash things down.  I offer him some water at his meal, too, but I don't know how much is really going down.
Thanks in advance :)

Are there any other websites other than babyledweaning.com you would suggest for more info?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 12, 2011, 06:18:09 am
I gave cereal yesterday by putting some on the spoon and letting her hold it and put it in her mouth. It was very messy but she seemed to love it! ;D

Tbh I just feed her when we're eating irrespective of bf times. Sometimes she might 'eat' very soon after a milk feed, other times might be soon before. As long as she's not hungry and agitated
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 12, 2011, 08:06:01 am
hi Cam's Mom!

I have never given baby cereal at all, but do give porridge nice and thick so she can eat it with her hands, or so it sticks to a loaded spoon. It's fine to introduce meat for iron though! One of F's first meals was a fat chunk of roast beef which she gummed away at with delight. Or broccoli is good, egg yolks, whole grains (eg, porridge - doesn't have to be iron fortified). Another good trick is to give something high in vitamin C at the same time to help iron absorption, so a tomato wedge with the beef, or some mango with the porridge.

We aim for solids 1 - 1.5 hours after milk - but sometimes it's earlier or later if's that's more practical. I try not to give dinner too close to BT though. At the start I offered milk after as well, but TBH she was never very interested - she'd rather have water with her meal.

I wouldn't worry about him biting off chunks, so long as he's in control of what goes in his mouth. He'll probably gag a bit but it always looks worse than it is! Just make sure you know how to recognise the difference between gagging (very common, nothing to worry about), and choking. Choking is no more likely with BLW than with any other way of weaning, but of course always possible and it's good to feel confident that you know what to do if, heaven forbid, it does happen.

That's the website I got most of my info from too. Have you read the book?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 12, 2011, 08:36:44 am
We started doing porridge thick on a loaded spoon but he prefers it runny so i put it in a little pot and he drinks it. He only needs a little help not to tip it too far.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 12, 2011, 17:32:01 pm
Thanks Creations -do think it's the carrot! She's had cheese on toast which she loved and apple. Fingers crossed!! Was upset earlier and crying in pain but shed only had apple and prob not actually eaten that much. Think she had tummy ache after swallowing some water at swimming.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 12, 2011, 17:35:56 pm
Welcome Cam's mom.  I couldn't find much on the Internet at all so ended up buying the book.  Will have a look at my favourites in a mo to see of I did have anything else.

Not read all of book yet but so glad I bought it! Feeling more confident already xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 12, 2011, 17:37:34 pm
Here you go...

http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=92560.msg870613#msg870613
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 12, 2011, 17:41:17 pm
That's all I have!

Sorry for numerous posts - lost too many long ones on this iPod touch and not taking any chances!

Blw recipe has porridge fingers which are easier for LO to hold. Will post recipe if anyone wants it xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 12, 2011, 18:00:46 pm
I was wondering where that porridge fingers recipe was.  yes please post it or a link if you can as I was looking for it a week or two ago.  Ended up making some gluten free, egg free, sugar free oat cookies instead which DS really liked but half the time he's getting these at snack time and I'd like something different to give at breakfast.
I've been giving baby cereal (I bought the 10month+ one) made really thick and eaten with fingers although I did start with ready brek and now I wish Id stuck to ready brek as DS won't eat it any more, think he has a taste for the baby cereal which is v expensive in comparison.  He has had phases of refusing cereal then loving it, having it on loaded spoons and the refusing the spoon and going in with the fingers...I think he likes variety :)

Re milk after food.  When we first started solids I gave milk one hour before solids, gave water with solids, but then had to give another milk straight after solids.  Went on for about 2 wks I think.  Then we got back to regular milk Es.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: dburseth on November 12, 2011, 18:44:50 pm
Thanks for the replies. We're doing well with steamed apples w/ a bit of cinnimon right now.
I'm making some stew so i'll try some of the meat later today.

Snowbird, I'm hoping to just wing it without having to buy the book...el cheapo here! Thanks for the link.
The porridge fingers sound like a good idea.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 12, 2011, 19:28:08 pm
Cam's mom, I haven't read the book and we've had GREAT success here.  I'd say you need to know the general 'rules' of weaning (regardless of method ie salt sugar honey nuts gluten dairy, did I miss anything?) and then just make it up as you go along in response to your LO.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 12, 2011, 20:51:41 pm
Yeah, I agree Creations! The basics are in the link I posted earlier (I think...). Will post recipe when I get a mo cx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 13, 2011, 01:06:19 am
Same here :)

Re porridge fingers - I've never had a recipe, but just mash together about half a cup of oats with a banana or some mango and a bit of cinnamon, add water to cover and mix, press into a square microwave safe container and microwave on 700 watts for 3 mins. Leave to cool/set and cut into fingers. I'm not too hot on measuring things :P so the consistency can vary a bit -  she likes them sticky. If I remember I prepare the night before ready to microwave in the morning, which also has nutritional advantages in terms of soaking the oats.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 13, 2011, 10:57:51 am
Nuala, it sounds like a microwave is a necessity for those porridge fingers to cook the oats.  I don't have a microwave do you think there's a way of oven cooking or would it be impractical - ie do they need to be made fresh each day or can a batch be made do you think.  I won't be putting the oven on every morning for porridge.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 13, 2011, 13:40:50 pm
I'm sure you could make a variation in the oven - I suppose they'd be more chewy, a bit like a muesli bar. Then they'd keep for a few days I'd say, and you could probably freeze them. Or you could try these banana cookies:
Ingredients
•   3 ripe bananas
•   2 cups rolled oats
•   1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
•   1/3 cup vegetable oil
•   1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
1.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.   In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Stir in oats, dates, oil, and vanilla. Mix well, and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
3.   Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly brown.

I've only made them once and changed the recipe, so I only used 1/4 cup of oil. I added raisins instead of dates to one half of the mix, and made the other half with no dried fruit at all (wasn't sure how she'd handle the raisins at that stage). Oh, and I added cinnamon instead of vanilla. Ok, so basically not this recipe at all, but it's what I started with  :P. They were pretty good, even the plain banana ones were plenty sweet, and they froze well.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 13, 2011, 22:46:02 pm
Nuala you follow recipes the way I do!!
Thanks for taking the time to give me that.  I've added it to my recipe book.  It's very similar to the recipe I've made a couple of times (and lets face it by the time you've changed the recipe and I've changed the recipe they don't even resemble the recipe :)) and DS loves them, but I've been tending to give them at snack times so ideally would want something different for breakfast.
The ones I made, after spooning half the mix in teaspoon size cookies onto a sheet I then dolloped the rest of the mix in one go onto another sheet, spread it out, marked it off into rectangles and shoved it in the oven.  Re-cut the marked lines whilst still warm to make small flap-jack type cookies instead - a whole lot quicker and easier, the end product looked neater and cooked more evenly.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 14, 2011, 18:31:07 pm
Thanks Nuala! By coincidence I had some bananas I needed to use up so I made a batch this afternoon. They were a big hit with DH and DD1, haven't given any to DD2 yet though.

Yesterday I gave S some home made chicken nuggets and steamed carrot and she loved them! Something must have gone down as there were bits of carrot in her poo today  ;)  Today she had some apple with cinnamon (steamed slightly) and seemed to like that too. Its going well overall though I haven't really had much success giving her food when we're not at home yet.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: rugbykaf on November 14, 2011, 20:42:38 pm
Hi people - quick question . . .

just started blw with my twins 2 weeks ago. They r doing fantastically and a rekon E actually managed to ingest most of his blueberry pancake tonight  :D However, they dont seem to be able to pick food up off their trays themselves - its as if they just dont see it! They get really frustrated if i dont hold it up infront of them to take. They can pick up small toys of the floor while sitting???

Ive sat them on a rolled up towel, do they need to be higher or is it developmental???

Kath
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 14, 2011, 20:45:50 pm
B Will overlook what is on his tray. I make sure i show him before i put it down and then he Will see it.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 14, 2011, 21:17:53 pm
Same here, I often hand her food. Although once she's seen it she will try to pick it up herself...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 14, 2011, 21:36:24 pm
One of the signs of readiness for solids is putting toys (and everything) they can in their mouths.  My DS didn't put a single thing in his mouth until he was given food, then it all went in and was all swallowed.  He often couldn't pick the food up either but I guarantee he was ready.  For a few weeks I held up food if he didn't see it or couldn't pick it up and he took it and ate it.  It's still his choice, I don't see the point in causing frustration by not helping.  I also do what khalams mama does and tell him what each item is on the tray or plate (even less mess for us now as I quite often give a plate with the food on and the tray stays quite clean yay!).  These days (10 months) I still occasionally help out, like if a half grape is being particularly slippery I turn it over on the plate so it's easier to pick up, I have to be careful as my help usually receives a growl of annoyance from DS - haven't I learned yet that he is quite capable on his own thank you very much! :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 15, 2011, 02:31:33 am
The ones I made, after spooning half the mix in teaspoon size cookies onto a sheet I then dolloped the rest of the mix in one go onto another sheet, spread it out, marked it off into rectangles and shoved it in the oven.  Re-cut the marked lines whilst still warm to make small flap-jack type cookies instead - a whole lot quicker and easier, the end product looked neater and cooked more evenly.

Great idea - much easier. I'll give this a go next time.

Kath: no problem with holding up food for them to take - just avoid closing their hands around it, or putting it into their mouths for them. Soon they'll start to realise that the food is on the tray when they want it. PS: Your boys are so cute!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: dburseth on November 16, 2011, 02:53:20 am
Well after having wierd wake ups an hour or so after bed time, I've decided to hold off a little longer with solids. DS seemed to be having tummy aches/gas.  He isn't quite 6mos even though was showing all the developmental signs.  It was fun though!
On the Kellymom.com site there were ideas to encourage LOs to participate in meal times without the solids yet so I think I will do this for a couple weeks.  Freezing BM pops, letting him use his sippy etc...

See you then  :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 16, 2011, 03:03:44 am
It's not uncommon to have a bit of gas trouble when you start solids - they just need to get used to trying to digest something other than milk! What time were you offering solids? I started with breakfast and lunch only, so there was more time to get rid of any gas before bedtime. But you're right, he's young so there's no hurry. We'll be here when you're ready to give it another go! :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: dburseth on November 16, 2011, 15:57:08 pm
thanks papaya :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 16, 2011, 20:46:31 pm
Mince in a sort of meat ball and green beans here today. He really enjoyed the meat. Some prunes and apricots for breakfast should help with the BM's too. He ate a whole spelt biscuit at playgroup too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 16, 2011, 21:24:21 pm
Well after having wierd wake ups an hour or so after bed time, I've decided to hold off a little longer with solids. DS seemed to be having tummy aches/gas.
Had weird wake ups when DS started solids too (and he was SO SO SO ready!), I made sure I gave his evening meal as early as possible to give him time to digest before BT.  We now have dinner at 5.15pm and BT is around 6.45pm.  The weird wake ups didn't last very long though.  I think if your LO is happy enough to join you at the table without food (you have some good ideas there) then you're fine, mine was demanding solids like I'd starved him since birth so I couldn't stop the solids once I'd given in to him at 5.5 months.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 16, 2011, 22:57:08 pm
Hi all,

LJ had pasta twists with a sprinkle of cheese this mOrning which she had a good munch on! I had some too and was surprisingly nice. Anyway, then she had banana later.

She's not been herself all afternoon and then ended up being REALLY sick - twice! - after 4 oz of her bedtime feed and loads of screaming. Think she's got a tummy bug :( she had a cat nap on me and woke up much happier - even smiling. Hope it lasts! Poor little thing!

She's had cheese and banana quite a lot and I'm assuming the pasta won't be responsible. Going to hold off on the solids tomo and see how she goes... X
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 16, 2011, 23:27:03 pm
Snowbird, it could be a reaction to wheat...? (I assume it was wheat pasta). Or could be a tummy bug as you say. Has she had other things with wheat - bread etc?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 17, 2011, 07:52:58 am
Sophia has a cold at the moment. Last night she was up crying a lot and seemed to be in pain. I think it was probably because of the cold but wondering if I should stop solids for a couple of days to make sure gas or stomach upset isn't making things even worse? So difficult when they can't tell you what's wrong :-\
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 17, 2011, 11:27:35 am
Thanks Papaya. She's had white bread quite a few times and does seem to be consuming some of that. No probs before. Not sure how much pasta she actually ate but think she did eat some. What do you think I should do? Hold off on pasta?

She woke up at 1.50am, had lots of sips of water and then 3 oz milk (all I gave her as didn't want her to be sick again!). Then slept through until half when she had 7.5 oz milk. Was a tiny bit sick an hour and a half later but seems much more like herself. Just woken from a 2 hour nap - nb we never get this long! Obviously tired as went to bed hours late last night!

Poor Sophia. Yes Becky - so awful when they can't tell you what's wrong!! Hope she feels better soon. Don't think holding off on solids will do any harm. I'm going to do the same today

Xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 17, 2011, 12:01:48 pm
It does sound more like she's just got a bit of a bug than anything else. If she's had bread with no problems I think it's unlikely to be the wheat, so I wouldn't be afraid to try pasta again when she's feeling better. And in the meantime she's probably not interested in solids - just cuddles! Hope she comes right soon :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 17, 2011, 20:07:20 pm
Hope she feels better soon snowbird.

B was eating like a champ today. He had lots of chicken and some rice for dinner. He had a good amount of banana pancake for breakfast too. It is great how much he is progressing. My Mum was like "oh look he's got a big bit of chicken in his mouth" all worried and I was like " great, go B" and he was fine he had a good suck and swallowed it with only a little gag once.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: rugbykaf on November 17, 2011, 20:49:06 pm
Thanks guys,

They're both coming on really well.  They make you so proud don't they, it's amazing seeing how quickly they progress.  Don't we have some clever wee babes  :)
 :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 18, 2011, 12:43:40 pm
i'm going to be starting next week with solids and think i'll go down the BLW route... (i figure if i don't like it then i can always change- so what's there really to lose!!) SOOO excited!! I bought a giant splash mat months ago ready for the impending mess... some questions!

With breast feeding- i as hoping to be able to drop back to 1 feed per day by 12 months.. then continue with that till 2 (all things being equal)... does this seem to fit with how others are going with BLW and BF?

Any tips for eating at other people's houses? I go to girlfriends houses once a week and 2 of then particularly are pretty precious neat people.. we're coming into summer so i could start feeding him in the back yard and hose im off after :)... but that seems a little extreme... Any helpful hints?

I've started my LO on sips of water from an open cup as i'm keen to have him have an open cup as much as possible- hopefully exclusively at home (i've clearly just started and only have one child- i know!)- any tips? Is it possible? Is it easier with a cup with handles or one without? He pretty rarely has a bottle so isn't already holding that himself...

He he- had to laugh.. was so excited reading all the posts about BLW that i almost forgot to give DS his dream feed!! Mummy fail!!

Also- sooo glad i already have my own bundle as otherwise all of these BEAUTIFUL pics would make me very clucky!! I thought the little guy in the white suit was pretty cute but then the twins are great!! I love the one in the back hasn't quite worked it out yet!! They are all too cute!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 18, 2011, 14:01:02 pm
Hi Katy,

Only taken LJ to my mum's so far and that wasn't really a problem.  Could you choose your foods carefully so that LO can't make too much mess? i.e. LJ is not bad with carrot sticks but made a heap of mess when I gave her mashed banana on toast the other day.  Also, could you take a mat or a towel to put down to pick up the mess.  Have you told these friends about lbw and that you're doing it? From what I've read, in a few months they'll have messy eaters whilst your LO is munching away happily with hardly any mess lol!

I've started on the open cup - the doily cup! LJ is great with it and I'm so proud! I would never have thought a baby of 7 months could drink out of an open cup like that. I do help her but she grabs the handles and helps to tip it up and we don't have many spillages.  I'd say handles every time!  I'm just sticking with water for now so am not worried about her using it in other people's houses.  Hopefully be the time I add juice (IF lol!) we'll have no mess at all.

BW forum does that too you - easy to get carried away!

Update on LJ - had a terrible night with her waking and I think she's got cramping. Poor little thing! I feel so helpless! Took her to doctors this morning and they think it's a tummy bug.  She's been upset this morning but cheered up when she woke from her nap (on me - I might add!).  She never sleeps on me!!!!! That said, she was happier in the day yesterday and then in pain from 6 onwards :(  Fingers crossed!! Did get a bit of calpol into her by putting it in her milk.  That may well be helping! No solids for us at the mo anyway! Did actually mean LJ, but to be fair I've only had biscuits myself since brekkie.  Mmm - must work on that! xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 18, 2011, 14:04:23 pm
Hi Katy! Welcome to the BLW adventure :)

I found the mess to be much less than I expected, but it does go in phases around here. After about a month she had great control and could eat with very little mess - but if she's especially tired, teething etc, she might still have a meal when she throws as much as she eats. Some foods are messier than others, and I think that's child dependent to a certain extent, so you'll soon figure out what are the safest bets to bring along/choose if you're going somewhere where you're really concerned about it. Pelican bibs are great for catching dropped food, and you can teach your LO to fish bits of food out of it again (which is incredibly cute). And hey, maybe your friends will be so impressed with his eating skills that they won't mind so much :)
 
12 months seems a little early to me to be dropping down to one feed per day, if you want to keep going for a while yet? We're still on four atm, I'm thinking by 12 months we'll be on 3, maybe moving to 2.

We introduced an open cup before a sippy cup, about 4 months, so that we could give F expressed milk - she never took a bottle. We used a sippy cup without the lid, so with handles. Now she generally has the lid on as it's easier for her to do on her own - but she can still drink out of an open cup with a bit of help, handy if we forget hers! I think it'd be a quite a while before she'd be able to manage it completely herself though.

Sorry to hear that LJ's still not well, snowbird. Don't forget to take care of yourself too :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 19, 2011, 12:17:00 pm
what I found worked at other people's houses in the early days.  I'd sit LO on my knee with a large muslin square wrapped around his waist and tied at the back (plus a bib).  The muslin completely covered us both and acted as a good catch-all for crumbs and dropped food.  I generally paid lots of attention (well you do when they eat anyway don't you) and caught most bits of food as they dropped.  At the end of eating the muslin can be kind of folded over to keep all the bits in.  After a while I did this with him sitting on the floor, it looks a little funny but it does prevent the entire carpet getting covered in crumbs or wet mess.
It's amazing how quickly they become less messy though.  There are days now that DS (10 months) eats in his highchair I don't even need to wash it! (but I still do!)

Even in his high chair I put a muslin around DS waist and tuck it around his legs so any dropped food doesn't mess up or stain his trousers, then bib on top (I have ones with long sleeves for really messy stuff like porridge and regular ones for other food).  This way his clothes stay immaculate almost all the time.  We did get a red collar with a bowl of summer berries which were particularly juicy because the juice ran down his chin and then neck and kind of under the bib iyswim.  Also make sure you put the bib/muslin/whatever you use on the TOP of the highchair straps to prevent them getting messed up.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: rugbykaf on November 19, 2011, 13:37:20 pm
Wow Creations, the muslin is a great idea.  Sometimes its the simple things! 

Thats the only thing about BLW I'm struggling with - the mess and extra washing.  We have an old house that is never really very warm so I can't really strip them down and as you can imagine they create a fair amount of washing as it is!!!

We're due to go round to a friends for lunch in the next couple of weeks so I was thinking of taking their bumbos (YKWIM?  Those little moulded seats with trays).  I was also thinking of taking a sheet or something but a couple of muslins should do the trick - I've got millions of muslins!!!

Kath
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 19, 2011, 13:42:59 pm
yeah, we do that with the muslin too, especially when she's sitting on my knee! Forgot about that. We're lucky it's so warm here so F often eats in just a singlet and nappy. If she's really messy after lunch, we sometimes just dunk her in a bucket of water :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on November 19, 2011, 21:49:05 pm
As for the amount of laundry - well - I often use the same muslin all day for solid food time at home.  yes it gets a bit mucky but it's only there to protect his clothes.  Then I use a separate one for food out and about, another for milk feeds and about 4 at once for his naps (his lovie is a muslin too).  I never ever have enough muslins which I think is why I keep one going on his high chair all day!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 19, 2011, 23:52:22 pm
Here her - what did people do before them? Lol!

LJ seems much better now altho she has a cold now and is very rattley - bless her! Thanks for all your support and well wishes xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 22, 2011, 12:35:57 pm
Sophia is 6 months now and has recovered from her cold, so I'm trying to start feeding her properly now. This morning I tried to give her scrambled egg and toast - what a mess!! :o. It was a bit too squishy for her to manage though. Any ideas how I can make it easier? Don't have too many ideas for bfast apart from toast...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 22, 2011, 13:59:12 pm
Maybe try boiled egg instead? The pieces are easier to pick up.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 22, 2011, 14:13:33 pm
Oh good point! Why didn't I think of that? :P. I also thought about french toast though I've never made it before
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 22, 2011, 15:01:05 pm
Yeah, F likes french toast. I add herbs to the egg before dipping the bread. Or try adding mashed banana and cinnamon, yum.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 22, 2011, 16:28:43 pm
omlette make quite thick is good to hold too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 22, 2011, 20:39:25 pm
Breakfast ideas from the book (they have a page): (I'm not sure if you had the book or not!)

- Fresh fruit
- Homemade porridge, while cooking you can add: stewed or grated apples or pears, blackberried or blueberries, raisins, dried apricots, dates, cranberries or figs. Fruit puree, freshly ground nuts or sunflower seeds, straberries or a little molasses can be added at the table. Although porridge is usually made from oats it can also be made with rice flakes, millet flakes and quinoa flakes
-Live full fat- natural yoghurt ith fresh fruit
Scrambled egg (well cooked
- Cereal with or without milk. Cereals such as mini wheats, malted wheats, cornflakes and rice krispies are suitable for babies because they don't have high levels of sugar and salt (wheetbix can be pcked up easily if moistened with just a small amount of milk
- toast, oat cakes or rice cakes spread ith nut butter
- baked beans on toast
- cheese on toast

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 22, 2011, 20:45:37 pm
Also pancakes are good for breakfast. You can add left over veggies if you mix in a blender and can't really taste them.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 22, 2011, 20:59:51 pm
ok- a couple of other general questions.... with the laundry... what do you ladies do with clothes with heaps of food on them. Just into the basket, or into the laundry sink? or do you rinse them straight away?
We've had some fun with banana again and LOTS of fun with avocado. So is grabbing them, squishing them and then sucking our fingers (and rubbing our chest) all part of it? This is right? Off to try some more bananna and avocado- might steam a pear too!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 22, 2011, 21:03:14 pm
Yes they do just squish it at first esp as they learn how hard to grip it. It is all fine. We tend to shake off the lumps and then have a pile of "dirty clothes" that between my boys gets washed most days so anything with food/sick/pee etc. We have a face clothe on the go too to limit the use of wipes that goes in the daily wash.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 22, 2011, 21:18:07 pm
Thanks for the suggestions!

I use a long sleeved apron which really helps protect clothes.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 22, 2011, 21:59:19 pm
i'm hoping that i can go without clothes soon as we're heading into summer- tends to be pretty hot- Currently the bib is just as interesting- if not MORE interesting than the food!! Today we (not me- hamish) were very grumpy and not interested in anything.... will try lunch- i think breakfast is not our best time!! This sure takes patience doesn't it!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 22, 2011, 22:01:09 pm
Talking about breakfast, do you guys have any thoughts on Cheerios. Sure I've read thry're good for blw. Bought some but found out they're not very big. Do you think they are ok at 7 months? Thanks x

We have a long sleeved apron type thing but only 1 so used when necessary. Glad I used it this  for yoghurt - v.messy lol! Xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 22, 2011, 22:02:04 pm
Katy - LJ likes to have a good suck on her plastic bib too lol x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: rugbykaf on November 22, 2011, 22:26:07 pm
Ha ha, Ive got a couple of bib suckers too . . . They like to make sure both sides are nicely covered in food! Infact tonight i just put a couple of tops on that were a prezzie that i wasnt too keen on (a little ungrateful i know) and didnt bother with a bib  :-\
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 23, 2011, 09:28:38 am
Whee!! Launched himself at the mashed and whole pumpkin and sweet potato like he hadn't eaten ever! Smooshed it everywhere- ate some - covered his chest and face and best of all nanny and poppy were there to see and are totally on board! Dinner sees to be the best time- handy as then it's a quick dunk in the bath... Or a soak...

 On the broth idea again... How do you give this to your LO ? Do they drink it in a cup? Or mix it with mashed vegies?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 23, 2011, 10:06:49 am
um... bu whole pumpkin i mean whole fingers of pumpkin... i did not present the 6 month old with an entirely intact pumpkin...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 23, 2011, 11:38:34 am
i did not present the 6 month old with an entirely intact pumpkin...

lol! Sounds like she had fun. By broth, do you mean home-made stock?  ???  I use this in curries, pasta sauces, mashed potatos, fish cakes, anything where I need a bit of liquid.

Thanks for the breakfast ideas from the book, too.

toast, oat cakes or rice cakes spread ith nut butter

What do you all do about peanuts (or other nuts)? Not whole ones, obviously, but say peanut butter, or satay sauce, or a mussaman curry. I know the advice used to be wait until 2 years, more recently I've read it's fine after one year, and I think Gill Rapley says there's no reason not to offer earlier if no history of allergy... I haven't offered yet, but would like to be able to start giving F peanut or other nut butter soon as there are limited spreads for bread that don't involve either dairy or sugar. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 23, 2011, 11:55:01 am
Yeah- i meant home made stock.. that's what i would usually call it but i think the northern hemisphere ladies call it broth....

Our australian recommendations (according to babycentre) say nut spreads etc are safe from 6months but to consult dr if theres a history of allergy- or if the LO has excema or asthma... here's the link http://www.babycenter.com.au/baby/startingsolids/feedbabywhatwhen/

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Lemonthyme on November 23, 2011, 19:03:29 pm
I contacted our health visitor because I'd not given nuts at around a year because of this old advice and even though he has eczema, she said it should be fine for ground nuts.  So far he's had ground almonds in things but not much else (I'm not a peanut butter fan so we don't have it in the house).

I'd check locally to you though because prevalence of food allergies are different in different parts of the world which is part of the reason advice differs (as well as different HCPs taking time to adopt progress in research.)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 23, 2011, 20:00:27 pm
The uk guidelines are also to give nuts unless there are allergies in the family. This changed since I had DS1 2.5yo.

We also call it stock in UK, I think broth is what the USA ladies call it.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 23, 2011, 21:48:24 pm
I think that the recommendation until fairly recently was no nuts... but the allergy stuff is changing across the board. They used to think it as protective to limit allergens but now some studies are showing the opposite! Probably good as nuts are a good source of heaps of great stuff- so nut spreads can be a great way to introduce them i guess! (avoiding the sugar and salt of the main brands tho...)

I must say that broth does sound comforting- and much more exciting than plain old stock!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 23, 2011, 21:53:19 pm
The MW told me it changed in aug 2009 here in the Uk 2 months after K was born. I was most disappointed as I was still avoiding nuts in my subsequent 2 pg and I really wanted them and I didn't realise the guidelines had changed and I could have been eating them all along.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 24, 2011, 03:02:11 am
Think I'll try with a little bit of peanut butter one of these days then. I make my own, so can easily not add salt.




Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Lemonthyme on November 24, 2011, 17:59:43 pm
How do you make your own peanut butter?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 25, 2011, 02:53:26 am
I buy raw (de-shelled) peanuts and roast them myself on an oven tray (180 degrees, about 10-15 mins but watch and turn as needed). This is just because I haven't been able to find any unsalted roasted ones in the shops.

Then I just use the grinder attachment for my blender. Add a drizzle of a mild vegetable oil of your choice (I use canola, but add a little sesame for a nice flavour when I have some), and a sprinkle of salt if making for adults. I pulse for a while, then leave for a minute, scrap down the sides, another minute, etc until as smooth as you want it. You may have to experiment with the amount of extra oil you add - but try not to add too much at the start, as the oil does start to come out of the nuts and make it a bit smoother the longer you grind. You can always add more if it all seems to get stuck. I've found that doing it when the nuts are still slightly warm (but not hot) helps as well. It sounds hideous in my grinder so it may not be the best for it, but I've been doing it regularly for a year now and the motor hasn't died yet :)

I've never measured what I'm doing, so sorry I can't be more exact! But at a guess, I'd say I use about a cup of nuts and 1-2 tablespoons of oil per lot. It makes a thick, rather than a runny, butter. I've done this with cashews as well.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 25, 2011, 08:16:48 am
thus far have been very excited that DH, Nanny and Poppy, and SIL have all been on board with the BLW idea  :o !!! Met with my girlfriends with babies today and told them all the things we had tried.. they seemed confused.. and said 'so did you start with rice cereal before all that?' ... decided not to go into much detail just yet...  :-\

So as i interpreted the book and this thread you don't need to go with the traditional '4 day wait' rule? My LO has really not been sensitive to much so i've introduced sweet potato, pumpkin, avocado, banana, and (favourite) mango- all in about 4 days? does this seem right?  ???

I'm getting much more confident too as initially (day 1) he really didn't eat much- whereas today (day 4) he basically picked up the pumpkin and started putting it in his mouth (and hair, and chest, and ear)! I can really see that in 3 weeks he'll be much better at it and eating more and more!

Also- when did people introduce things like bread pasta and rice? right away? No history of allergy in the family...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on November 25, 2011, 10:00:22 am
Great to hear the family is on board!

We introduced roughly a food a day at the start, except for possible allergens like tomato, wheat and dairy, which we waited a couple of days after. We did rice from day one, and bread and pasta in maybe week two or three? No particular reason, we just don't eat as much of them.

Oh, and I just have to put it out there for everyone...if you really want some fun, give your LO a mango seed. The ultimate in both mess and delight (although perhaps one for slightly more experience BLW babies, otherwise frustration factor might be too high).
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 25, 2011, 10:02:10 am
We just did it all at once no waiting between new foods. No allergies here though.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 25, 2011, 10:44:23 am
great to hear... i'm just so nervous as it's not the 'usually done' thing!! I want to make sure i'm doing the right thing!! It just REALLY makes sense with heaps of what i do in my job and have studied for years!

I can imagine the joy of a mango seed!! They are cheap as here at the moment- and one of my very favourites- so the cheeks have been quite the hit so far!! I'm excited that he could have beautiful mango as one of his first foods!! May is the PERFECT time to be born!! (Am i a little biased ;P )
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 25, 2011, 11:35:09 am
We started bread right away too. I tried giving rice yesterday but she struggled a bit. It was too small to manage and even with a spoon was a bit awkward :-\  0therwise she's doing quite well, though I'm not sure how much is going down. I guess its still early days though?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 25, 2011, 12:39:27 pm
It sounds like we're pretty much at the same point becky gatt.... my LO sure is having a ball though!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on November 27, 2011, 00:28:06 am
With you Becky and Katy!! But LJ is enjoying herself and I'm really chilled out about it - despite questions about what and 'how much' she's eating lol xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 27, 2011, 10:38:15 am
It is so nice not to be doing but that time consuming pureeing. We finally have a pincer grip her so cheerios are on the menu and so Will peas and corn be.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 27, 2011, 11:28:27 am
Wow pincer grip already! That's good :). S isn't quite there yet though she's getting better at handling food. Managing to pass from one hand to the other a bit too
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 27, 2011, 12:41:08 pm
We only just got there at 7mo. We seemed no where near at 6mo.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 27, 2011, 13:21:09 pm
Ok- i'll ask again.. I'm pretty average with not panicing about how much he eats. SO here's what a couple of our mealtimes are like- do they sound typical?

Hamish in his High chair with mummy at the table with him or in the kitchen doing stuff... I either pop pieces of soft food like mango, pumpkin, rockmelon etc. on his tray and sometimes hold them up. He grabs the food- squishes it in his fingers, pushes some off the tray, brings it near his mouth and drops it, sucks it off his fingers, or has a suck on the end of the food.

Other mealtimes (like tonight) he'll play with the food but not really put much in his mouth, have a little suck on something, squish it all up but not really taste it...

Does that sound like where you were at 6 months about a week after starting? (he's 6 months today! I figured a week earlier was still pretty much 6 months!)

I'm trying to be a really relaxed go with the flow person.. truly i am!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 27, 2011, 14:57:37 pm
Yes I think that's pretty normal! Playing is part of the learning experience. I get a bit impatient too, lol. I have to resist the urge to help her! Some meals she 'eats' a lot whereas others she not really interested. I think that's pretty normal
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on November 27, 2011, 17:09:42 pm
That is exactly where we were at 6mo and then he just started eating one day. It Will come. I started noticing food in his nappy before i noticed it was actually going in too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 27, 2011, 17:42:06 pm
Yes I find bits in poo sometimes...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 27, 2011, 20:35:20 pm
Ok.. good- i trust you! I'm going to the doctors today for his check up and needles.. so when they weigh him i think i;ll be happier too (His weight has always been good- having that reassurance will tell me there's no panic to get it into him!)... And already some days his poo actually smells so much like pumpkin i could eat it!! I do refrain...

I must say the incidental learning he's doing!! You can just see his little face so serious as he tries to work it all out!! The newest method- why use hands when you can pull it to the front of the tray and just put your mouth directly onto it!! Very funny!! BLW with all of the incidental learning is good as i'm trying to avoid having every toy that moves.. (space issue- but also IT"S NOT REQUIRED!!) There are so many different things he's finding out that he wouldn't if i gave him food from a spoon!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on November 27, 2011, 21:56:23 pm
I agree, I think its great for dexterity and hand function!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on November 29, 2011, 00:08:27 am
bah- misguided mummy trick for today- 'sharing' a banana while sitting on the lounge- channeling my inner hippy.. needless to say banana was EVERYWHERE!! Did manage to get some into his mouth- took a launch at it!- and into mummy's bra, and onto mummy's shirt, and mummy's face, and  the lounge! I think that it takes a mummy with a little more coordination to manage the lounge trick with style!! That and he kept wanting to lie down!! I think the high chair is better while we develop OUR skills!! ;)

Oh and also- i see that some of you offer a loaded spoon. If i have a long spoon and have something on it (i'm thinking some meat, puree or minced...) and hold it up in front of him, and he grabs it and brings it to his mouth- but i just hold the end to stop it hitting the floor.. is this ok?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 01, 2011, 16:23:32 pm
Yeah I'd stick to the highchair lol! Been wondering myself if I give LJ smtg to snack on when we meet our group of friends but not sure how she'll handle being able to move whilst eating. Hard work keeping her still! Only 1 way to find out...

Are you happier now Hamish has been weighed?

Loving blw! So great that LJ sits at the table and eats with us. We all really enjoy it and I'm getting more adventurous. And I'm eating better meals knowing that LJ will be eating the same thing.

Xxx

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 01, 2011, 18:38:25 pm
Same here snowbird! I try to cook pretty healthy anyway but S eating with us is an extra incentive. I think she's starting to eat more and more, though a lot still ends up on the floor/highchair. I found loads of carrot in her poo this morning so obviously something is going down! ;D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 01, 2011, 19:46:01 pm
We went to a playgroup today and there was another baby there a bit older than B (probably 10mo). At snacktime they both sat side by side in the highchairs and B munched away on the toast, banana and apple that was given out for all the other kids (up to5yo) and the baby next door was eating some mush from a jar. The mum was giving me some looks like "is he going to eat THAT?" B did a great job and I got on with my own tea and toast in peace. It is so nice not to have to take turns eating and holding baby during dinner like we used to with K.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 01, 2011, 20:30:50 pm
Yeah- much happier... And everything I read says that it doesn't matter really what they eat... It's all about fun- BLW or otherwise!! (yes.. I knew that already- but i like to be reassured! ) And sometimes he has really great days where he just jumps right in!! I must say that he LOVES eating from my plate too... And I'm with you girls, we're eating much better knowing he might be sharing (that and enjoying everything served in hand sized sticks). And also- aside from the mess- it's HEAPS easier!! Sometimes I'm sort of like- is this right? I just leave him and.. Well get on with it?? And with the mess- if I were doing purees I'd do finger foods too (it's the therapist in me) and so I'd STILL have a god awful mess to clean up!!

 And I love your new pic KM! Very cute! I can not stop taking pictures of my LO covered from head to almost toe in food- very funny!!

Oh and snowbird- the group of friends is the hard one!! I have my friends here today- so there's no excuse not to give him lunch,... ,  should be exciting!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 01, 2011, 20:43:36 pm
Yes just leave him to it!

Thanks. I thought of this thread when I put up that pic of B. That washis 1st crumpet,one of the 1st things he actually ate. He just pulled it all apart and then stuffed the bits into his mouth from the tray.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: dburseth on December 02, 2011, 16:04:20 pm
Ok, we're going to try again. I'm going to just do once a day and be a little more on the ball with tracking what he's eating! 
Tried some bread yesterday and he loves it but didn't do so good with swallowing it.  managed to get it all back out  :( Good thing DH wasn't home...he doesn't deal with the gagging very well, lol.  He would definately like me to be feeding mush.

Question, What is the best way to serve roast beef?  Do you cut it up in small bits or just hand them a big slice, or a chunk?

KM, the holidays are going to be interesting with being around so much company and feeding DS. I'm not sure if I'm brave enough!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 02, 2011, 16:35:21 pm
I have 14 extended family for dinner at xmas but i see them lots so they know how we are weaning.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 02, 2011, 20:24:25 pm
Not tried roast beef yet but I'd prob try a slice and some chunks and see what is easiest for LO. LJ would manage a slice I'm sure lol.

Xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 02, 2011, 23:06:38 pm
We do chunks as he doesn't get much off but slices break up more easily and he gets big bits in his mouth.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: dburseth on December 03, 2011, 01:17:25 am
ok thanks.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 03, 2011, 10:49:34 am
I've given H some puree meat to have with his pumpkin (we were having bolognaise... i did it with chopped onion and carrot). I know it's a puree but i was getting panicked about the iron (i have since calmed down) and currently hamish is not really holding big chunks and more sucking mushed stuff off his hands...

Also- on the scared of the family front- i'm a bit the same- but i'd suggest just have a good practice of your 'confident' face.. it's all in the way you play it!! ;)

At 6 months if you had a day that was crazy busy would you sometimes miss solids? I've had a couple of big days where i just haven't fitted it in!! I try to make sure that it's not 2 days in a row tho... Or should i really work harder?  He's at the end of week 2 (wow.. it feels like longer!)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 03, 2011, 10:51:14 am
oh and also- there really is a HUGE difference between gagging and choking- Gagging looks really bad but is actually totally fine! (or at least hamish seems happy enough to go back for more!)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 03, 2011, 14:38:34 pm
We definitely missed meals at 6mo. It says this is ok in the book. Now we have hit 7mo i am finding b really gets cranky if he misses them though. Puree is ok if you let them feed themselves in blw terms. I used to use it as a dip for things that k could hold and eat. Or a sauce for pasta or spread inside pitTa bread.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 03, 2011, 21:23:27 pm
I miss meals sometimes. I try to do at least 2 meals a day and if possible 3, but don't always manage. When she was sick last week I just stopped for a few days
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 03, 2011, 23:32:34 pm

Question, What is the best way to serve roast beef?  Do you cut it up in small bits or just hand them a big slice, or a chunk?

DS had a piece of beef at just under 6 months.  It was sliced from a joint and then a finger kind of shape cut from the slice if that makes sense.  He had a good munch on it and quite a bit was eaten.  He didn't eat much meat for quite a long time though, he just wasn't that interested in it.  He will eat bits now, thinly sliced meat seems to be his preference.  I would avoid cutting into small pieces until you feel a lot more confident about his manipulation skills.

Khalams mama, that's so lovely about your DS eating what the bigger kids were having at play group.  A similar thing happens at one of the rhyme times we go to, the helpers there are always careful to ask if DS can have the snacks and anyone with a similar aged LO there looks on aghast as they spoon feed yoghurt.

Caused a bit of a stir in hospital when the meal staff came around to ask what he'd have.  They had real food for the big kids and jars of purée for the babies.  Of course we needed real food for DS but I had to question them over the salt content with him being so young, they don't cook to cater for a reduced salt diet.  As it turned out he couldn't eat for a few days so it didn't really matter and when he did start eating again I just got him a bowl of mixed veg, a pear, a piece of toast.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 04, 2011, 10:51:51 am
B really enjoyed the frozen yogurt lolly i made him. I think it really helped his teeth. He ate more yogurt than he would have on a loaded spoon too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 04, 2011, 11:30:45 am
oh god... My grandmother was over for tea with the rest of my extended family tonight- so heaps of people... never going to be a great night for BLW.. soo much more to look at! Anyhoo- my grandmother was standing over him saying 'go on... go on... eat it... eat it... show me how clever you are... go on.. go on... etc' !! In a sweet tone- she's a classic grandmother... but AAHH!! Followed by 'katy- can i hold some up to his mouth to help him?'  THen after i said 'no he''ll be right.. just leave him' I turned to see her holding up a square of food to his mouth!!! AAHH!!!

I knew it was never going to gel with my grandmother... on the upside- he LOVES kiwi fruit and actually grabbed a stick of it (my advice- leave the skin on that slippery little baby) and put it to his mouth and ate it!! YAY!! The seeds in the poo are also quite amusing!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 04, 2011, 12:31:36 pm
Yes we enjoyed seedy poop here too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 04, 2011, 22:12:24 pm
Hi all...

I'm reading along at the moment and just trying to work through my worries and questions before starting Sofia on the road to weaning. She is 5 months and 2 weeks, and absolutely desperate to start eating, she has acquired what we now call the "Death Stare" when we are eating, and accompanies it with lip smacking and the odd lunge in the direction of the food...

I've been to see the BLW DVD at my baby clinic, but the health visitors weren't particularly helpful about specific questions I had - probably because they've not actually done BLW themselves so can't speak from experience. So I am sure you will all have much better thoughts and advice as you're doing it right now. I've also had a read of the babyledweaning website recommended on here, but still had a few questions. If anyone has a moment I'd really love your thoughts... :)

How did you all get started? Did you follow the same kind of pattern as the old style of weaning of offering a new food every few days, and start with breakfast time. Then add dinner / lunch later on?

Sofia doesn't have great hand co-ordination as yet, and on the few occasions I've put food on her tray, she cannot pick it up for herself and get it to her mouth. If I place it in her hand she can grasp it and move it to her face (although not always her mouth!) but she struggles to keep her hands there at her face and the food just falls in her lap. Does this mean we can't really get started with BLW yet - should I wait the 2 weeks til she is 6 months or get started and just see what happens?

When offering sticks of steamed veg, how far should they be cooked? I am thinking that too soft and they will just be mush in baby's hand, but harder in the centre might cause them to gum off a big lump which is not ideal to start with surely...?

Does the gagging go quickly? I've literally only offered her a couple of things, but we've already had her gag and then throw up the food and some of the milk feed she had earlier. I'm sure it's all part of the process, but just not sure what to expect / whether to worry if she ends up doing this every time we sit down to eat?

Thanks,
Rachel. xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 04, 2011, 22:50:01 pm
I'l tell you what we're up to- we started him a week off 6 months when he launched at my banana and gave it a good gumming. To start i offerred banana and avocado on his tray and he mainly squished it. I soft cook the foods (vegies) and he does squish them in his hands- but i find at this point with him it's fine as he can then suck it off his fingers as he has only just started to be able to put a stick to his mouth. I'll even sometimes put some mashed food on the plate- especially if we're having it!

On the introduciton- the book suggests that as they're 6 months and their guts are ready that you can really just introduce whatever (other than things that you avoid till 12 months+.. here that's cows milk, rare meat, whole nuts etc..). So i've nt been doing the 4 day wait really at all and iknow beckygatt didn't either. But Hamish has not appeared sensitive to stuff previously. If you were concened about reactions i'm sure you can take it a little more slowly.

I think with how much/often that you give them it's really the more the better- I think that they are gaining skills every time they eat- that said i usually only do 2 meals and some days have missed it all together..

With the gagging i'm not sure how fast it will go- Hamish seems unworried by it and if it's something he likes gives it another go... The important point to remember is that they need to feed themselves as one of the main safety ideas is that they can't put in their mouth what they can't manage.. so at 6 months they can't use a pincer grip to pick up a blueberry or a pea- but if you put one in their mouth they'd take it- but probably choke! I think though that the gagging looks orse than it is- especially if your LO has a sensitive gag it probably will be being triggered quite close to the front of her mouth- and it helps to push the food out.

I find Hamish does better when e're doing our on thing- best if eating dinner.. rather than people staring at him!!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 05, 2011, 08:55:58 am
We haven't waited for days between foods but no family allergies here. We just went straight to offering food when we eat. At 1st the dont really eat much so it isn't the same for their gut as if you spoon feed. We do hold the food out and let b take it but dont close his hand on it if he doesnt take it. We do veg slightly more than we eat them al dente.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 05, 2011, 17:48:52 pm
We don't really wait in between new foods, and started at about 5.5 months (although broccoli gave her a bit of gas before 6 months, fine now). I steam veg so that a fork goes in easily but won't fall apart easily. She manages this although swallows small chunks as I find them in her poo :P. I've found coordination and dexterity improve really quickly with blw. And more food is starting to go down.

Today I gave her avocado; she loved it! :D I gave it in finger like slices and she did really well. For dinner she had avocado and meatballs and managed to chew on a bit of the meatball too. It was funny; I was having to feed dd1 with a fork using the old aeroplane trick, while dd2 happily fed herself! And I don't consider dd1 to be a bad eater either... But this blw is great :)

Oh and she does gag a bit but I keep my eye on her, stay calm, and she always sorts herself out :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 05, 2011, 18:27:21 pm
Thanks all.

So bizarre that she can spend half the day with her thumb in her mouth and yet if you put something in her hand (food) she can't seem to get it to her mouth...! I guess another 2 weeks when she's 6m might make a difference? I just can see she is so ready to eat, but she's not capable of doing it herself yet and I don't want it to be frustrating for either of us before we even start.

Beckyg - it's great that you're enjoying it all so much with Sophia.

KM - love the avatar of B, munching away!

Rach. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 05, 2011, 20:25:22 pm
Rach, I'd just start giving her some simple food to experiment with. She'll soon figure it out  ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 05, 2011, 20:43:52 pm
Welcome Rach! Agree with pp - give her some simple stuff like carrot sticks if she seems ready. She'll soon pick it up.

We try to do it as much as possible to give her lots of practice. Gave her savoury flapjacks today and she scoffed them lol! Xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 05, 2011, 21:29:58 pm
I thought you ladies might appreciate Lil B enjoying his chicken on the bone.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 05, 2011, 21:51:03 pm
So bizarre that she can spend half the day with her thumb in her mouth and yet if you put something in her hand (food) she can't seem to get it to her mouth...!

That's sooo what i thought!! Hamish has only just started to manage putting things in his mouth- funnily enough it has coincided with him getting his foot into his mouth rather than his hand only (I thought this might happen). Hamish didn't really seem to be THAT frustrated. As Khamams mum said i would at times hold up the food for him to grab- but he really did seem happy to squish and suck (maybe). I think it's actually more of a killer for us o see the food ALMOST make it into their mouths. I guess she doesn't actually know that food goes in our mouths and we swallow it- she just sees her parents muck about with the stuff and put it near their faces... so for her she's part of the action just by playing!. Our favourite foods are pumpkin, kiwi fruit, and the top food- mango. (I let him have lots of mango as the season is short and then we;'re back to boring old apples and bananas..)

Khalamsmum- OMG!! (do we say OMG? It makes me feel like a teenager saying it...) I CAN"T BELIEVE that yu are letting baligh eat with no bib!!! HAmish still eats naked and gets food EVERYWHERE!! I have to clean the food off from behind his ears sometimes!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 05, 2011, 21:53:58 pm
It was just before bath time so was about to strip him off and put the clothes in the wash anyway. He usually eats with a bib in the day time. He does make a big mess.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 05, 2011, 23:32:41 pm
We went straight on to three meals per day, I had no choice as DS was demanding food and it was the only way to stop him moaning and crying (I kept offering milk and he hit it away and cried harder!), however each 'meal' was limited to one or two different types of food.  This was more to do with not wanting to overwhelm him with choices rather than looking for allergies.  I did find at the start he couldn't cope with lots of items on his tray at once even though he took to BLW so brilliantly.

Gagging - ha will it ever stop?  He's approaching 11 months now and still gags and still doesn't care that he's doing it.  He used to eat a prune so daintily, gumming bits off until the whole thing gradually disappeared, he knew what he could cope with I suppose, now though he is bigger and more confident so just rams the whole thing in his mouth gives it a bit of a whizz around his teeth and swallows it whole, gags and brings it all back out then eats it again!  Not the best table manners to be honest.  He will even be gagging on something whilst simultaneously trying to get the next piece of food in his mouth.  If gagging doesn't both him then it doesn't bother me.

The scariest moments for me have been once when I found him chewing on some random bit of plastic (it was from a board book with a push down music button!) and had to fish it out of his mouth (not to be attempted unless absolutely necessary as this in itself can cause choking!) and once when I found him playing right next to a button that had fallen from his cardigan.  Luckily I found the button before he did.  I went cold with the thought of what could have happened.  Food wise he gags and occasionally voms back up something that he's swallowed in one massive piece, but I have total confidence in his eating abilities.

Moon shapes are good for picking up. ie avocado halved, stone removed then cut into half discs, it makes a nice shape for picking up.  Fleshy fruit in wedges is tricky at the start as it's so slippery, a slight squish to indent part of it (not mush it) will give LO somewhere to grip onto and make it a bit easier.

When you start don't be surprised by increased milk intake (say asking for another milk feed straight after solids), or some sleep disruption, or constipation.  The thread on laxative foods is worth a browse, you can monitor your LOs poop and feed the necessary food item to firm it up or loosen it a little without the need for meds, much nicer.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 06, 2011, 00:04:57 am
Loving the photos of B! She's loving it! xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 06, 2011, 00:16:45 am
He was indeed!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 06, 2011, 10:30:58 am
It was just before bath time so was about to strip him off and put the clothes in the wash anyway. He usually eats with a bib in the day time. He does make a big mess.

Ok- this makes me laugh :D.. i was JUST telling my mum tonight about 'this baby on my forum who's only 7 months and doesn't need to wear a bib!"- mum thought that we were more than a month off that... i now see that you guys are too :P!!

Well things have really taken off in the last couple of days!! WOW! Tonight he pretty much ate 3/4 of a kiwifruit- i cut it up and left the skin on he wasn;t concerned- I held some up for him and he grabbed them and ate them all!! Couldn't get enough!! He also had quite a bit of pumpkin, some apple, made an attempt at broccoli (although i think that he thought it was kiwifruit..he was probably disappointed... ).. when nanny went to clear away the food from his tray he knocked the water that he was drinking out of a cup in order to get to the food again!! I'm not sure how it fitted into his little tummy!!

How do you know when he;s finished? Sometimes he gets over it and starts whining... but other times it seems that the longer he sits the more he'll eat... Do you just keep going?

Oh- on the poops- Hamish has always been a more than once a day- or once a day pooer.. the last few days he's been an every second day sort of man... but when it comes out (TMI?) it's not too solid, or loose... is this fine? Just part of the change with solids?

SOO Excited!!   ;D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 06, 2011, 13:49:33 pm
Can the skin of a kiwi be eaten??

I usually stop giving her food when she stops eating! Usually after a while she'll either just stop or might start getting a bit irritable. Sounds like Hamish is doing really well! Sophia is doing pretty well but a lot still ends up in her bib or on the floor. She's certainly enjoying it though!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Buntybear on December 06, 2011, 13:50:59 pm
Can the skin of a kiwi be eaten??

Don't think so  :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 06, 2011, 19:11:32 pm
I've eaten the skin before.  Not sure I'd give it to LJ tho!

Sorry Khalam's mum - that was a typing error!! The worse one out but a typing error indeed. Joys of using iPod touch to type bw messages xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 06, 2011, 19:49:28 pm
He gets called a girl all the time. Because he is so pretty I say.

He had another go at the chicken leg today and was loving it. I am quite squeemish about meat on the bone so I had to look away. He seems to prefer it to the drier off the bone breast though.

I keep taking finger food to playgroup and the other kids try to steal his lunch! Bread sticks and flap jack and banana today (home made fast food!).
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 06, 2011, 20:32:57 pm
i eat the kiwifruit skin- mainly laziness... but at this point he can't gum it up and i'm here of course...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 06, 2011, 20:51:22 pm
ugh I hate the skin on the kiwi. I hate if even one hair gets on the fruit!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 06, 2011, 20:54:26 pm
oh- i'm a sort of orally hyposensitive type i guess.. i don't really respond to much... my mum said that i used to choke ALL THE TIME as a baby- i think i just shoved soooo much food into my mouth before i registered it was there!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 06, 2011, 20:56:56 pm
I have a lot of issues with texture with regards to food, lumpy mash! chocolate and ice cream! ripe banana!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 06, 2011, 21:24:10 pm
Ooooh me too!! I hate sloppy food like custard, slimy, mushy like over ripe banana... I'm very fussy about texture. Hope my girls don't take after me! So far so good
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 06, 2011, 21:55:49 pm
I have to try hard to to flinch when K has raisins in his porridge or B sucks the grisle on a bone... I also don't want them to pick up on it.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 06, 2011, 22:27:50 pm
ha! clearly it was my speech path spidey sense picking that up! my sister is the same... shocker!! (she's really bad)... BLW is meant to help with tht tho i think- no transition to lumpy foods and that to worry about...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 06, 2011, 22:57:47 pm
How do you know when he;s finished?
When they stop eating ;)
Sometimes there is some body language like turning the head away and looking elsewhere, it's not always obvious.
Mine rarely drops any food by accident but when he is finished eating he begins to purposely drop it over the side of his high chair.  I've spent a couple of months explaining to him that this is unnecessary and he is just starting to get the idea so now he pushes his plate away ever so slightly (oh yes, we progressed onto plate and bowl eating rather than directly off the tray) and if I am quick I catch it, otherwise the lot would go over the side lol
It is still hard to tell though, he sometimes looks finished and then just as I'm about to clear up he launches into round two and polishes off another entire meal-worth.  I do not know where he puts it!
You can teach a sign for finished, either an official sign language one or your own home sign.  If you do it each feed LO will likely pick it up.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 07, 2011, 07:29:19 am
I'm fine with eating meatt off the bone actually. Funny how we all have pur quirks eh?

Wow, I cannot imagine S using a plate or bowl! A couple of times I accidentally left one within reach and she lunged for it and sent it flying with all its contents! :o. On a similar note, anyone know how easy it is to transition to a spoon or fork later? DD1 is a very good eater and has been capable of using a spoon since early on, however now she chooses not to use cutlery (except for stuff like yoghurt) and just uses her hands. At 2yrs 8mos I'm not sure if I should be concerned?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 07, 2011, 09:48:39 am
could she be doing it because Sophia has just started to eat using her hands? You said she COULD do it... i wouldn't worry too much i guess if she CAN do it- but is just choosing not to...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 07, 2011, 10:50:31 am
I agree. K sometimes uses his hands even though he has fed himself since 13mo when i suddenly realised i should give him a spoon.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 07, 2011, 12:38:33 pm
I made hamish this little batch of long meatball type things tonight (kind of little sausage shapes)- he LOVED THEM!! DH and i sat watching as the whole half went into his mouth.. DH said 'are you ready to tip him upside down' as i mentally ran through what to do in the event of choking!! But No probs! Also loved the brown rice and pumpkin today!! I kinda mixed it together to make it easier to shovel... I'm now wondering why anyone even bothers with puree! (I know... 5 posts ago i was a nervous wreck.. )

Oh- and Beckygatt- i just had a suggestion.. perhaps you could work on using cutlery either out or at people's houses (grandma and such) and home can be how you like.. if she's anti using it.. just a thought...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 07, 2011, 13:56:59 pm
Hmmm, I could try but she's pretty hard headed my DD1! ;)

Did H eat the pumpkin and rice with his hands? Haven't had the guts to try 'sloppy' food with hands yet. She devoured some fish and sweet potato chips for lunch today though!

Oh and what do you do if some food gets stuck to the roof of the mouth? Like chicken? Surely you have to remove it sooner or later?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 07, 2011, 19:24:12 pm
Wow, I cannot imagine S using a plate or bowl!
I introduced a plastic plate a while ago, sometimes he lifts food off it changes his mind about eating that piece and puts it down on the tray instead of the plate, never mind, he's getting it a bit at a time.  What's lovely is that he has started to help me 'clear up' at the end of a meal so whilst I am picking things up off the tray and putting them back on the plate so I can remove it all, he will pick something up and put it on the plate too!  My heart melts!  He will also put his fork down on the plate for me to take away, again very cute!  The slightly strange part is when he puts his sippy cup down on the plate :)

Recently he's fussed to get a bowl the same as mine, he does fuss if I don't give him the same.  So I generally give him his pasta on a plate but mine is in a bowl, I don't have a plastic bowl and think he wouldn't like his to be different anyway so I'm giving him a ceramic bowl same as mine!  So far no problems, he is tapping his spoon or fork inside the bowl to try to pick up food too.  I love BLW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 07, 2011, 22:29:58 pm
beckygatt- We eat nothing BUT sloppy food with hands!! It's summer here so he usually eats naked.. and i have a huge drop sheet and the ikea high chair with no nooks and crannies... Also is a good way to avoid sensory aversions  ;) I tried to attach some great pics but i'm not talented enough...

Also- i haven't seen stuff get stuck to the top of his mouth yet.. but i'd probably after a while (before i lay him down) try to clear it... although you may just push is down further.. drinks after a meal may help?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 07, 2011, 22:43:41 pm
For the pics click the plus sign in the bottom left hand corner on the reply page and you can add pics!
We want to see them.

B did get food stuck at the beginnning and I had to move it off the roof as he would gag trying to get it.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 07, 2011, 23:03:25 pm
Mmm, not encountered some of these probs yet! LJ gagged for the 1st time yesterday - on savoury flapjacks. Too much was going in at. Time - loved them!

Ladies, LJ had roast veg yesterday around 5.15pm (with chicken) - parsnip, tiny bit of carrot, suede. Could this be causing her to be gassy tonight? She's waking every sleep cycle crying and seems a bit gassy - small burps! What do you think?

Thanks xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 07, 2011, 23:15:25 pm
snowbird, I would have thought yesterday's meal wouldn't have an effect on tonight's sleep.  Something she had today might though.  Maybe something acidic possibly?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 07, 2011, 23:21:00 pm
I agree. What did she eat.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 07, 2011, 23:44:13 pm
did these work? hamish eating pumpkin!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 07, 2011, 23:44:58 pm
and mango!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 07, 2011, 23:53:41 pm
Katy, photos are fab :)

She had 3 Cheerios at breakfast and then at 2.15pmish mashed banana on toast. Nothing that normally bothers her either hence my looking to the day before...

Xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 08, 2011, 14:12:33 pm
Hi all...

Katy - great photos!! :)

Well we are starting BLW - but slowly. Sofia's not really interested in food in the mornings at the moment and her A time is still quite short in that period, so I've been doing a bit either at lunch or sometimes at dinner time when I've cooked for DS.

She really doesn't have the coordination necessary yet, and when she does manage to get something in and suck on it, she spits out any lumps that may have gone into her mouth. But she's loving the tastes of the things we've tried so far so I'm taking that as a good sign.

She still has a cold at the moment so I'm not expecting too much. The biggest challenge so far is tuning out the stories of mums on my UK birth club who have been doing purees for months now as it just makes me feel a bit behind that I'm only just introducing food...

Rach. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 08, 2011, 17:41:12 pm
Rach - before you know it she'll be eating loads! Sounds like she's doing fine :)

I can't believe how much sophia is starting to eat! Especially in the evenings it seems. Today she had omlette and avocado and she just went on eating! She's managing to handle the food much better too. She doesn't really play with it; just eats it! I haven't noticed much change in her poo though. When weaning DD1 with purees I had noticed a change right away. Sophia's are getting less frequent but same consistency and smell (sorry tmi!!)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 08, 2011, 21:43:05 pm
Katy - hilarious!

Rach - agree with becky, she'll start eating loads before you know it, there's no rush anyway.  As for the traditional weaners, well take a look in 6 months or a year and see where they are up to.  Some of the LOs at groups we go to are 14 or 18 months old, lump refusal, puree addiction, jar addiction, mums who won't let them try to self feed because it's too messy (of course it's still messy they haven't had a chance to learn how to do it!).  The number of stories I've heard about difficulties with traditional weaning I am so glad we went with BLW.

Becky - how I WISH solids reduced the number of poos DS does!  Prior to solids he did one, possibly two per day, now we have 3 or 4 before 9am!!!!!!!!!!!  5 to 7 poos per day is normal for him now.  Sounds like Sophia has take to solids brilliantly, just like DS, he never played with food just ate it.  These days (almost 11 months) once he is full he might play a little, to see what happens if he squishes something but he would never do that before.  Some of them haven't read that 'food before one is just for fun' and want the food in their bellies asap lol
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 08, 2011, 23:05:17 pm
Rach- Yep- as i think i said before i'm convinved- it took hamish 2 weeks.. i'm not sure if that was because that's how long it takes or if he was just developmentally ready.. now i put stuff down and he grabs it and eats it right up!! yesterday i served him an icecube worth of brown rice- so probably a tablespoon and a half? as well as about a tablespoon or so of avacado and mixed it in (I want him to have rice and it's too tricky at the moment.... so i make it more sticky to handle). He ate pretty much all of it and hardly any went on the floor!! He even had a good go at some kiwifruit after that! Just remain calm and don't worry and before you know it she'll be off (and for your own piece of mind bush up on your first aid for choking... we haven't needed it yet by any means but it's good to keep you happy- anyway traditional weaning doesn't prevent choking in the long run!!)

And Sometimes i think hamish will just keep eating!! Some meals though he's just not interested. Often breakfast- but yesterday it was dinner.

Solids have reduced Hamish's poos- or the frequency... he'll now go a day or so with nothing, but usually makes up for it the next day.

My tip for storing rice in the freezer: press it into an ice cube tray and then add the tiniest little bit of water. This means that it freezes solid and you can then turn it out into a container... you guys may have already worked that one out!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 09, 2011, 07:35:25 am
Some meals sophia is not that interested either. I guess their apetite fluctuates!

Yesterday we were out shopping and had lunch out. It was pizza so not very nutritious :-[ so I thought she would be better off just skipping lunch. Haha! Well she had other ideas! She was on my dad's lap and the moment his food was placed in front of him she lunged at it and grabbed a piece of chicken before he knew what was happening! ;D. The I put her on my lap and she complained very loudly till I gave her some bread and rice cakes to nibble on. I guess there's no more eating without her from now on! I'll have to be better prepared!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 09, 2011, 19:20:22 pm
For sure. I cannot eat without B or he gets really mad.

K is always asking me "Is Baligh allowed X" and gives some of his food. He tried to give him chocolate buttons last week. He also told me he gave him a lick of his boiled sweet lolly one day. I really have to watch that boy when he has food. He is too generous.

DH was moaning about the mess B made with some broccoli today. I told him it was quicker to clean the mess than it was to puree it and sit there feeding him!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 09, 2011, 19:57:56 pm
Yes I have to watch Eleanor too! She loves giving Sophia food. Its very sweet actually :). And yes broccoli is VERY messy. It gets everywhere!! :o. But its healthy and as you say quicker than puree
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 09, 2011, 20:29:36 pm
Max is dying to feed and share his food with Sofia, I really look forward to the time (very soon hopefully) that he can hand her something and she can take it and hoover it up!

So we've tried a few things this week, it's helping my confidence to hear you all so enthused about it all. I think the key to it will be her co-ordination as she seems willing to try everything and seems to enjoy most tastes so far (tomato pasta was a big hit, funny because it's Max's favourite too!)

So I'm holding you all to your word that she'll take off with it in a matter of weeks... :)

One question - at this stage do you / are you allowed to spoon feed anything i.e. yoghurt / soup / sauce etc?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 09, 2011, 21:06:07 pm
I believe its ok to load the spoon with food and hand it to her. This can get very messy! Which is why I've only done it a couple of times :P
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 09, 2011, 21:12:37 pm
If you want to give something on a spoon you should allow her to take it and feed herself. Technically you shouldn't spoon anything in to mouth if she is unable to do it.

It is easier to a try to adapt things so you don't need the spoon. Yoghurt can be frozen, soup can be dipped in bread or either can be sipped from a cup which they do surprisingly well. I tend to give a little food pot full as it is easier to drink from a full cup and then just put a finger on it to stop him tipping it up. You could just as easily use a sippy cup. Or just dip the dpoon in a thick version and let him take it.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 09, 2011, 21:22:07 pm
Ok thanks. We're nowhere near that stage, she can barely ram a breadstick into her mouth at this stage... it's half funny half frustrating watching her try and do it. We'll lay off the sloppy stuff til much later then! :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 09, 2011, 21:36:14 pm
Sorry don't know why I kept saying him. I know you have a DD.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 11, 2011, 09:56:57 am
Beckygatt- you mentioned mess AGAIN!!! You are clearly more sensitive than I!!  ;) .. I think you'd probably be horrified at the amount of mess we create each meal!! but then we don't have another little cherub around so we can handle a little bit of extra chaos!!

I have these really long spoons (baby spoons) and i sometimes put stuff on the spoon and put it near Hamish's mouth and hold the other end.. he will grab the spoon (near the spoon end as that;s easier for him).. and put it into his mouth. I keep hold of the end so that it doesn't get thrown (Happy beckygatt?  ;D ) - that way he can move the spoon all around and can put it in and out of his mouth as he wishes.. And this is sometimes a way to eat some of the sloppier things....

I gave Hamish some mushroom cooked up in the microwave today.. with a little water.. the taste was there really well- but the texture was like leather.. or at least too tough for little gums to break up...He LOVED them and i had to hold the end of the strips of them as he was going to suck the whole thing in and i thought that he would have choked on them... (they were perfect choking size...). Any suggestions? I could puree them up.. and give them to him on the tray (yes.. messy  ::) ) but i thought that might make the flavour different...

Rach- Ha ha- yes i was SOOOO at the same point as you!! She'll get there- take some photos when she does!!!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 11, 2011, 13:44:15 pm
We have mess too but it's fine. Like you say, they'll be less messy by the time their little friends are feeding themselves and making a right mess lol!

Took LJ out to lunch with our friends last weekend and she ate Salmon, new potatoes and green beans. Loved the green beans. Ate some salmon which she didn't do the first time we gave it too her. Was a bit of mess on floor but I just cleaned it up - no worries!

She's eating but no necessarily loads. Some times more than others. Still being relaxed about it - she'll eat more in her own time!

Xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 11, 2011, 17:12:07 pm
Hi all,
I'm going to go and buy a splat mat tomorrow I think. We've moved into a brand new build house this year, and spent a lot of money on the kitchen flooring so would rather not have it stained / covered in mush all the time once BLW takes off!

Small steps here. I took some rice cakes and nibbly things for Sofia when we went out for lunch. I was really suprised that she could hold it to her mouth today, and happily gnawed on the rice cake, it broke up in her mouth and she swallowed some. She's also taken really well to a sippy cup... :)

She was not very keen on steamed carrot sticks earlier this week, but has enjoyed sucking on breadsticks and toast, and cucumber sticks (although the stringyness made her bring it back up...!)

I have an egg yolk allergy, so am going to hang back on eggs for a while. DS hasn't got the allergy so will probably be fine, but just need to be careful.

Rach. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 11, 2011, 20:53:13 pm
Rach- YAY!! She sounds like she's well on the way!! I'd hang back if you have an allergy. We got an annabel karmel splash mat- was on special. My hot tip for cleaning it it to squirt a little detergent on it and put it i the shower... I think put mine outside on the line or over a couple of chairs to dry. Otherwise if you can get a heavy plastic one (more expensive) you might be able to mop it better... Anyway- she'll get neater... already hamish gets less on the floor!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 12, 2011, 12:50:24 pm
I didn't used to be sensitive about mess, really!! That's DH's affect on me, he's a neat freak! ::). Also I'm a bit lazy I suppose ;). I don't mind the mess too much... The splash mat really helps.

Rach - sounds like she's doing well!

Snowbird - Sophia too sometimes eats more than others. Doing well though! We had lunch at family yesterday and she amazed everyone eating little tuna cakes and breadsticks all alone ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 12, 2011, 15:21:08 pm
Go Sophia! Xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 12, 2011, 19:39:56 pm
Oh tuna cakes round Yummy. Can you pls post the recipe? B has been so grumpy lately. He is really off his food lately. I hope he continues soon.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 12, 2011, 20:23:07 pm
KM - hope he's back to normal soon.

Beckyg that's great about the family lunch.

Not such a great day here.  I tried Sofia with some bread with cream cheese on it, which she sucked and liked, then obviously she got a bit off which she gagged on (fine), then vomited, then vomited some more, and was covered in it.

Even though it was a good hour after her milk feed she brought up a lot of milk, and the water she'd been drinking with her food.  I can take the gagging, and I can take the food mess, but this is the 2nd time she's had a massive throw up. It was everywhere... I'm sure it's normal but feel a bit despondent now and can see myself reaching for the blender if this keeps happening. Not because I want to rush her to eat, but because I really do not want to be cleaning up huge torrents of sick every meal time... We're only going to find the foods she can manage by trying, and that in itself brings the continued risk of more throw up! And it worries me about eating while out and about.  :(

Reassurance?? Thoughts?? :)

Rach. x

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 12, 2011, 20:39:34 pm
KM: Hamish has been the same yesterday- wouldn't have a bar of the lovely lunch.. spread it everywhere!! But did have a munch on kiwifruit in my arms- ans a strawberry! Yummy!

Beckygatt: ha ha- just teasing!! I agree on the lazy bit- sometimes i've skipped a meal because i can't face the cleanup!

Rach: That;s annoying on the vomiting!! We havent had that much issue with it- but i might have been giving hamish softer stuff- foods that mush up really easily in his mouth... We really haven't eaten out and about much yet- my thought would be that as you don't need to give her full 3 meals every day for a couple of months that you won't need to feed her out and about for a little while- and by then you'll have all mastered things a bit more and thee won't be the gagging and chucking...And i'm ALWAYS amazed just how long after a milk feed Hamish can vomit up milk!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 12, 2011, 20:58:25 pm
What kind of stuff are you giving him Katy? (aside from mango lol!)
Soft fruits aren't in season here, and she wasn't keen on banana... I think I need to get more organised as I just don't know what to give her each time lunch time comes around.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 12, 2011, 21:10:45 pm
ha ha- yes.... a lot of mango!! I have been lucky with the soft fruits in season. But some of our favourites are butternut pumpkin cooked soft. He generally will mash this in his hands and then eat it. Sweet potato sticks- or mashed... Stewed apple (or microwaved apple... with a bit of water) ... Kiwi fruit segments with the skin on, puree peas, lots of avocado, well cooked brown rice- usually mashed in with something else. He also doesn't mind a banana and will give it a go. It doesn't seem like much now i list it!! I generally have thus far been going with foods that squish easily in his mouth- but they also tend to squish easily in his hands. I figure this is part of the learning.... I also did some little meatballs- big success the first night, but then i froze and reheated them and they were dry as!! Even DH said he had trouble swallowing them... so not sure what to do about that!! I don't think i can make a single meatball to suit his majesty every meal!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 12, 2011, 21:25:35 pm
Lol!  I can just see you there every day, frantically rolling meat balls while he sits on his throne, crown on head, thumping his fist on the high chair tray!

We had one of Max's school friends round for dinner and play tonight. It made me realise what a magnificent eater my boy is, this kid wouldn't eat brown bread, only eats plain pork sausages and smiley faces for dinner (which I cooked for him under advice from his mum but wouldn't be something I normally give Max very often) he doesn't like sauce (even ketchup) didn't want yoghurt, won't eat veg, didn't like vanilla icecream (only choc chip...) I just could not deal with that...!   I didn't do BLW with Max, but sounds like this kid could have benefited from it!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 12, 2011, 21:42:23 pm
KM - don't have a recipe I'm afraid as I didn't make them myself; DH's aunt did...

Rach - not sure what to say about vomiting. Maybe stick to simpler things for now? Like steamed fruit and veg? We do carrots and broccoli steamed, roast sweet potato chips, avocado, steamed apple... She didn't like banana. And if those are ok add other things slowly? I'm sure it will pass soon but it is a pain! And yes I hate vomit too! Worse than poo :P
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 12, 2011, 22:11:35 pm
I hate it too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 12, 2011, 22:25:04 pm
Well we just had possibly the MESSIEST breakfast- and all i could think of while he was eating was you Beckygatt and your DH!! We had Yoghurt- the pot set, no added sugar type.. of course served directly onto the tray... He LOVED it!! But let me tell you- it may look firm in the pot but once its been smooshed around the tray a few times it's not so firm... He LOVED it!! Which surpised me as it's fairly tart really... Some peaches and strawberries in it for good measure- fun for the whole family!! I figured it was ok to introduce it as the momtastic website says you don't need to wait till 12 months...

The other thing Rach to keep in mind about the variety of foods is that there's no pressure to have her eating everything. If you were following traditional weaning by the book you'd be doing the 4 day wait rule, so if you'd been at it for 2 weeks you'd only have introduced 3 foods, and they'd probably be rice cereal (bleaugh!), some stewed apple, and maybe some pear or sweet potato... So- no rush...

And also- you probably don't have to take as messy an approach as i've taken.. I'm pretty messy myself (this morning hamish dropped NOTHING on the floor- mummy dropped a piece of strawberry through my hair onto the floor, and a spoon covered in yoghurt!!) and working in disability and paediatrics for 10 years has kinda taken the edge off messy eating for me!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: dburseth on December 13, 2011, 01:36:28 am
Haha Katy, lovely ;D

We had a very messy lunch of mashed poatoes and gravy served on his tray and it was everywhere, but miraculously none on the floor!

Rach, re: vomitting. We tried bread with the same result. I'm just going to avoid it for awhile.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 13, 2011, 06:45:25 am
LOL Katy! I was cringing as I read your post! ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 13, 2011, 07:14:20 am
We had a chuck with egg tonight... doesn't seem to worry him though- he just jumped right back in!! I find that he's getting really good at not getting anything on the floo- unless he's not interested- then we get EVERYTHING on the floor!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 13, 2011, 20:58:51 pm
We're blw but LJ's got a cold and has gone off her food a bit. Could be that!

Finger foods can be anything - brocolli, carrots, cucumber (good to suck on ESP when teething), toast cut into fingers with toppings ( like mashed banana, soft cheese, cheese), rice cakes, potatoes including sweet (parboil and roast a bit do they don't fall apart)...anything they can pick up. I even give LJ mashed potato in clumps now we've been doing it a while.

Once they've had practice you can go for more difficult foods to pick up like the mashed potato or weetabix (drop teaspoons of milk on it 1 by 1 to soak it just enough for it to be picked up), chicken strips ( when you are ready to introduce this). The list is endless

Xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: squeakersmum on December 15, 2011, 08:05:25 am
It seems that my baby girl very much has a mind of her own when it comes to food. It looked like she wasn't going to go for blw at all so we tried purée - fine. But she will only eat yoghurt or fruit purée from a spoon.

So we're back to blw. She WANTS to try things on her own - although very little actually goes in. She's getting there with her pincer grip; but while she can find and get into her mouth a tiny piece of plastic ::) she can't get 1/4 of a blueberry there!??!!?!

So I guess my question would be; When do you 'worry' about how much and the variety of things they actually eat? Or even how much actually gets to their mouth?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 15, 2011, 08:36:49 am
I would say just offer her lots of different foods. She will get there in her own time. I wouldn't worry for a few months yet xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 15, 2011, 12:26:50 pm
you don't really start replacing breastfeeds with solids till at least 9 months.. so therefore the milk is still the most important... and i'd say by 9 months she'l be right.

Today we discovered watermelon!! Soo exciting- looks like summer! And had my first solid food chuck on me... i was unimpressed...

Anyone have suggestions on how to offer mushrooms? I really don't like them yet as a whole finger food as they don't really break down and are kind of airway shaped...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 15, 2011, 13:02:49 pm
Maybe cut them up and add them to rice or an omlette?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: dburseth on December 15, 2011, 13:16:43 pm
Ya, I would say cooked and sliced or cut up.

Summer, Amayzie!? Its so nice to have some Australians on here :')
Watermelon sounds fun and yummy. I thin I'll get some melon for C to try!

No gas with the apples yesterday. Good, because he like them.

squeakersmom, our Doc told us at 6mos check up not to worry how much they eat for the first year really. 

On the side...At his 4 month check she asked what I was feeding him and I said breast milk, and she said good, that was a trick question, and laughed! Docs have a real twisted sense of humour!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 15, 2011, 20:19:18 pm
Sounds like you have a good doctor!!

My tip on the watermelon- cut the pointy top of the triangle of watermelon as that can break straight off into their mouths... you may not be concerned about that... but i was....



Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 15, 2011, 23:37:23 pm
LJ had roast beef and butternut squash for the first time today . A bit nervous about the beef!!! Then she gagged on it!! Deep breaths!! More comfortable as my hubby was right there to...

Xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 16, 2011, 06:52:41 am
Well done LJ! Sophia loved beef! I had made a stew so it was really tender.

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 16, 2011, 07:12:26 am
we had a bit of a scare this morning (more hamish than mummy..) he had some watermelon- a big chunk- and it was in the middle of his mouth and he didn't know what to do with it!! he burst into tears and then tried to bite my finger wile i fished it out!! It was ok though.. we just had some yoghurt with mummy and it was all ok!!

I started Hamish on a cup with a straw today (is this a BLW thing? It thought it was under 'independant eating'). I have been having him drink out of an open cup but today decided to try with a straw as it isn't overly practical to have him use an open cup EVERYWHERE! I had tried him with the spout cup but he didn't know what to do and thought it was a bottle teat. I figured- that rather than teach him to use a spout cup- only to have to teach him to use a straw later, i'd go straight to the straw! He thought it was fun- even if he did get only a very tiny amount!! Any other people have experience with this?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 16, 2011, 13:15:21 pm
Poor Hamish, hope he's recovered! I got a tommy tipee cup yesterday. Its a new type with a very soft spout, but also leak proof. Don't see any reason why you shouldn't use a straw though...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 16, 2011, 20:24:44 pm
I think anything they do independently is BLWish. B can use the tommee tippee cup on his own and could pretty much straight away.

http://www.co-operativepharmacy.co.uk/Tommee-Tippee-Sip-N-Seal-First-Cup-4months-190ml/id-J01
It is free flow so good for the teeth and helps with knowing how much to tip the cup up. he dribbles a bit but gets plenty and really likes it.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 16, 2011, 20:29:29 pm
Beckygatt- I've heard that when they're learning it's good to use a free flowing cup rather than one with a non-drip seal.. do what you want of course- but i usually just remove the seal (i think they are mostly removable). Still a sippy/spout cup... just with the flow. It gives them more of an idea of how a cup works i think. Again- just what i have heard- do what works for you!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 16, 2011, 20:35:33 pm
And it is much better for their teeth when they get them.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 16, 2011, 20:42:07 pm
Interesting! What's the reason for a free flowing cup? Always used one with a seal for DD1. The one I have has a very soft spout, of the same material as a teat, and the no spill is part of this so not removable... I think its a new type from tommy tipee
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 16, 2011, 20:50:18 pm
I think it is because if they have to suck, it pools around their teeth and can rot them. This won't be an issue while they have only water but when they are having other things in the cup (milk, juice etc) it is.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 16, 2011, 21:03:43 pm
Oh yeah- i think i know they type... it's not a massive issue... You could try introducing an open cup at home too or something- that way she is still learning about how to drink from a cup with free flow- then you don't have to introduce it later...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 16, 2011, 21:08:13 pm
Oh I see. I mainly give water anyway. I guess I could try an open cup too though. Do they cope with one so young??
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 16, 2011, 21:14:50 pm
Yes B can do an open cup. I just use a finger in the bottom to stop him tipping it up too suddenly.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 16, 2011, 21:30:18 pm
yeah- i think it's good to introduce it early as they're meant to be off bottles totally by 1- so i started at 6 months. It doesn't really matter how much they get- you really don't WANT them getting too much water anyway... I do hand over hand standing behind hamish- works best behind... he already can hold the handles and knows what to do. I hold it though as he's likely to lose interest and drop it! I figure that will come with time... You can practice in the bath too- although we still lie down in the bath.. he's getting a bath seat for christmas...(nothing says happy christmas like a bath seat!! ) so we'll sit up then....
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 16, 2011, 22:58:24 pm
Ah, Hamish! Poor little thing xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 17, 2011, 00:40:09 am
Ah, Hamish! Poor little thing xx

He he- I can only assume the watermelon in the mouth experience- rather than mummy forcing him to use an open cup!!  ;D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 17, 2011, 01:18:10 am
Lol x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 17, 2011, 06:42:12 am
Bath seat for xmas! Now that's a good idea!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 17, 2011, 13:48:47 pm
yeah- he;s getting all sorts of 'sensible' gifts from mummy and daddy!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 17, 2011, 19:31:00 pm
I've got Sofia some Cath Kidston bowls, plates and cutlery as stocking fillers. I love Cath Kidston, so this was the perfect excuse to buy girlie pink floral shabby chic stuff instead of the usual stuff I'd buy for weaning!

We are still not having much success. I know it's still early days, Sofia is 6m on Monday, but I'm finding BLW a bit frustrating. Either she can't get things to her mouth, or the things that she can, she then gags on - and the gagging leads to vomiting 50% of the time. Even very soft steamed veg sticks... I have no idea what to feed her... I feel like this isn't going to work for her or me at the moment.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 17, 2011, 19:52:04 pm
Sorry you're having trouble Rach! Not sure what to suggest ??? Maybe you should post as a seperate topic and someone with more experience will be able to help. It is very early days but the vomiting must be a real pain! Oh and I love Cath Kidston too ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 17, 2011, 20:50:54 pm
Hi Rach,

Hugs - must be really hard! How much is she vomiting? Just looked at the book for help with this and it does say that gagging sometimes leads to a little vomit and that babies soon learn from it. Are you aware that the gagging reflex is further forward in babies and so gagging doesn't mean the food is near the airways? Xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 17, 2011, 21:44:10 pm
Thanks girls.
Snowbird - the gagging doesn't worry me - I know it's a natural part of the process, and I can see she's not choking so haven't panicked too much. But the gagging seems to just then result in her vomiting up the milk feed she's had an hour or more previously. She doesn't bring the whole feed up, but the one the other day seemed to just keep coming and coming. Must have been a good few ounces. I can't wait any longer to do the solids as she is on the lower end of the A times and I don't want to be putting her down for her nap too soon after eating.

I think maybe she has a very sensitive gag reflex -  I may go back to doing traditional weaning but keep up the finger foods at the same time. Just think it will be much less distressing for the both of us...  :-\
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 17, 2011, 21:49:13 pm
I do give Hamish a lot of mushy stuff- or stuff that easily mushes up in his hands so that he's mainly licking stuff off his fingers and getting it that way. Things like avocado i sometimes mash into the rice, or pumpkin is very soft so he mashes it himself. The avo and rice idea might not work if sophia is a little sensitive as it's essentially that soft lumpy consistency that many adults even find gag worthy! But it might put your mind at ease.

I'd honestly try to give it another week at least before you make a judgement- hamish was 6 mo 2 weeks before he started getting stuff reliably to his mouth. And even now he sometime isn;t interested!! Makes it very clear...

Again i'm sure if you want to add some puree to ease your mind then the world won't crumble.... This is out of the troubleshooting of the book:

'If your baby does accept a spoon there's no harm in combining spoon feeding and self feeding. However if you are attracted to BLW because of the advantages for your baby, we recommend not to spoon feed at every meal. THis is because your baby may not get enough variety of texture, or as many opportunities as he could to develop his skills'

And sometimes the gag is REALLY far forward... stupidly forward... i think that BLW is good for helping to dampen that reflex. You may find that she gags on puree and the spoon too- Like on the occassions HAmish has been not interested in food when i've gone at him with a spoon he's also refused that. So i think it's easy to thinkthat BLW is the problem- when it's not... clearly its the babies who are the problem! ;P  
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 17, 2011, 21:50:17 pm
my intention with the quote was to say that it's ok to combine according to the book... but to maybe try to do both....
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 17, 2011, 22:05:58 pm
We tried baby cereal / puree several weeks ago (think she hit a major GS at just before 5m and I thought it was a sign to start weaning) and she didn't gag, she just wasn't bothered so I stopped and then started last week or so with BLW.

My DH keeps saying that what we did with our son worked perfectly well, he's a fabulous eater, tries most things, doesn't have any problems with textures. And DH is right... (shocking lol!)  I know siblings are not always the same, but my approach to food will be the same (i.e. not dancing around the kitchen making 100 different meals if they refuse to eat what I've given them...!) so I think that counts for a lot.

So yep, I'm thinking combined - which is essentially traditional weaning really isn't it. Just introducing finger foods from the off rather than at 7m.

Rach. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 17, 2011, 22:14:52 pm
You go with whatever you're comfortable with Rach! You might find that after a little while combining she'll do better with finger foods and you can do more blw style again. She'll get there sooner or later!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 18, 2011, 00:29:53 am
I think not waiting to start the finger foods is a really good idea. Looking at how well Hamish is going now with the finger foods i couldn't imagine waiting a few months.... But yeah- honestly traditional weaning is all good- the principles with BLW that include not forcing 'one more bite' etc and following the baby's lead- are also what parents who are good at reading their baby's cues are going to be doing anyway- whatever method!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on December 18, 2011, 08:02:28 am
Yes Rach, i agree - go with whatever you feel comfortable with! Xx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 18, 2011, 08:13:19 am
Ooh!! Hamish can now drink through a straw!! I used the pigeon mag mag cup (it was the only one in the chemist when i had the idea)- I figured it was BPA free and the straw is soft and can only go a little bit into their mouth. It also has handles. After much chewing and accidental water in the mouth i had a go at holding the end of the straw to get some into it and then essentially tipping this into his mouth as he sucked. I figured when he got the idea of why he was there it would help- and it did!! He now drinks through a straw like a pro!! And he can be totally independent with it!! 'll keep going with the cup- but when we;re out and about i can use that!! Amazing how their skills develop sooo fast... (I am always amazed at the normally developing child...)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 18, 2011, 14:22:18 pm
Well done Hamish! I know what you mean about the 'normally developing child'. I used to work with kids with developmental delay so DD1 amazed me with her development :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 18, 2011, 20:01:10 pm
Well done Hamish!
I am somewhat jealous as I kind of wish I'd thought of the straw idea rather than choosing a sippy cup.  It makes sense to learn with a straw as it is a 'tool' used throughout childhood and even into adulthood where as the sippy is pretty temporary.  DS uses the sippy great and sometimes wants it without the lid on (I have let him and helped but I KNOW he will get soaked so it's not something I like to do now that it is so cold here.  When it was warmer I didn't mind).

I'm starting to worry about ditching the bottles now.  'Suddenly' he is 11 months old and that 12 month mark is rapidly approaching when all bottles 'should' be gone.  I think we will be in the group of people that keep the morning and night bottle for a while longer.  Eeek!  My health visitor was disapproving that we still used bottles when he had his development check at 9 months.  At that time he was already using a sippy during the day but still had 2 or 3 bottles of milk too.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 18, 2011, 23:42:10 pm
Try a straw now- he probably won't take long to work it out! I think too it's all in degrees... they say they have to be gone- but thats to encourage people who have kids walk around all day with milk or juice hanging out of their mouth in a bottle- or in bed... I'd say a bottle morning and night isn't the end of the world if you want to keep it.

 What do you ladies do about fat in meat- so for example beef mince- do you use the leanest meat- or the meat with more fat. I usually use the lean variety for us at home, but was thinking i should up the fat for hamish. Is that animal fat what I want to be including more of? I already make sure that the dairy i'm using (yoghurt, cheese) is full fat... and i'm not skimping on avocado etc... but what do you think? It would surely make my little meatballs moister! And how do you serve chicken- I was thinking of making up some little chicken tenderloin strips.. perhaps crumbed in ground nuts or something? Perhaps oats? Not sure yet... I know i could just serve what we're having.. but in the lead up to christmas our diet has been less than ideal. i don't think KFC chicken strips are quite inkeeping with the BLW philosophy....
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 19, 2011, 09:44:44 am
Annabel Karmel often coats chicken or fish in matzo meal, or even crushed up cornflakes. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 19, 2011, 10:43:33 am
I sometimes coat chicken in veg puree and then rolled oats for k. Sure would work for lo.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 19, 2011, 11:41:50 am
hmm.. never heard of matzo meal.. i like the idea of the veg puree and oats.. adding the extra nutrients sounds good. I ended up just putting a little pepper (actually- the poor thing- it was not that small an amount, and out of a pepper grinder so largish bits!) and smoked paprika on them and them grated cheese all over them once they were cooked. He loved them!! Just chewed them to death. I think a couple of bits went down and quite a bit of the juices.

Any of you done any pram feeding? I attempted it today (I know beckygatt- i'm crazy- I thought of you AGAIN as i tried to keep the banana off the pram!)... wasn't a very large success.. but we were out, he was grizzling... you know... he seemed keen for a banana.. Any tips? Or just leave it for when he's 3....
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 19, 2011, 12:36:41 pm
Lol on the kfc! I like the idea of coating chicken in veg puree too! The other day I made little patties with minced chicken and grated veg. Girls both loved them! I froze some too. Animal fat is healthy so I wouldn't worry about lean mince too much. And no I've never tried pram feeding, except a rice cake :P
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 19, 2011, 18:03:04 pm
I've just added a couple of variations of the recipe I use for making oaty bars for DS (kind of like flapjacks, kind of like the organix soft oaty bars).  They are SO easy to make, great finger food, pretty clean eating for out and about, freeze well and are baddy free.

On this page
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=62087.15#top
reply numbers 16, 18 and 20
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 19, 2011, 21:09:39 pm
I try to avoid messy food but we do lots of pram eating. If you put on a bob over the straps it isn't so bad. banana is probably the worst food for getting off the straps so I would avoid that. I learnt that with DS1. He has been able to eat in the pram fine for about 1.5hrs now. I have given B a flapjack and a biscuit on occasions in the pram but it was a bit messy. kept him quiet while out and a bout.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 19, 2011, 21:17:14 pm
I learnt that with DS1.

Yep... i'm on DS1 now.. i actually didn;t have him strapped in at the time as i was sitting in front of him.. Those oat cake biscuit things look great!  so i guess aiming for crumbly things (or uncrumbly) rather than gooey things is best in the pram.. just brush out the crumbs..
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 19, 2011, 21:23:34 pm
Yes crumbley is easier than stodge.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 21, 2011, 09:16:42 am
ok ladies... i thought i'd have a bit of a vent!! I met today with my work people.. all physios, occupational therapists and speech pathologists. I was discussing with one of the young speechies about BLW and she was saying 'oh- the paediatric feeding workshop people are really against it'.. they are the people that provide training and are the experts in the paed feeding field out here.. She said that they say it's a choking hazard... she was soo righteous about it!! I said that you need to supervise- and this is the recommendation of the BLW idea- and she said 'oh- but people don't!' - I thought- Well i'm NOT PEOPLE!! Also that 'they can hoard food in their palates'.. well the book also suggests to ensure that you check for this- The same thing the Dr told me when she was discussing traditional weaning with me!!  It soo frutrated me... it wasn't really the forum to go into too much detail- christmas lunch- but i was soo annoyed!! I have worked for many years studying paediatric feeding myself and have gone with BLW as it lines up with much of this!! And I can;t help it if 'people' don't supervise!! Humph!! I guess it has made me really think about BLW in a more clinical way to ensure that i've made the right decision for me- nd i think that yes i have!! I must say that i would be unlikely to recommend it in a professional capacity as you can never trust that people WILL supervise- although pretty much all of my clients would be unsuitable as they have physical disabilities or swallowing disorders.. but there are definitely things I can do myself as i can have control over it!!!

Also- i say that 'i made the decision to do it as it is right for me'... but do have to mention that you ladies have been VERY supportive!! Oh- how frustrating young therapists can be!!!

Thanks ladies!! i'll be coming to the 7 month thread soon- have missed you guys on the 4-6 month thread!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 21, 2011, 09:38:24 am
Katy, I've vented in a very similar way about 'professionals' attitude towards BLW, but I think my rant was MUCH longer.  It's infuriating isn't it that some people equate it with neglect and poor parenting.
There's no N for 'neglect' in BLW and who's to say that traditional route parents aren't neglectful?

Lets take a poll of all the children who have been removed from their neglectful or abusive parents and see how many were traditional weaned and how many baby led weaned - yeah sounds OTT I know but SERIOUSLY how can people think we would just leave our babies to choke?

Quite recently in the UK a nurse caused the death of her own baby due to force feeding purée (the baby got pneumonia due to food in the lungs and couldn't be saved).  She was obsessed with the baby's weight, I think the news reports said she had been previously warned not to force feed the baby in this way but continued to do so because that was how her own mother had weaned her children.  Does this mean that all parents who wean with purées are going to kill their babies?  No of course not, it means that some parents are STUPID, neglectful and abusive, it has nothing to do with the purée or the finger food.

Now I shall go and take some deep breaths ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 21, 2011, 10:02:35 am
Thanks.. What a horrible story!! Yeah- if you don't supervise, or check that their mouths are clear, or shove foods in their mouths that they can't pick up, or give them whole nuts- then you AREN"T DOING BLW!!!!! You are simply being an IDIOT!!! he he- sorry.. a bit dramatic..

Thanks!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 21, 2011, 10:55:54 am
How funny. I went to a xmas lunch with my physio colleagues yesterday and they were all marvelling at how he just sat on his blanket feeding himself while  caught up with my friends. I was sat right next to him of course.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 21, 2011, 11:00:37 am
That is a horrible story! :( I am a paediatric physio and I think blw is great! Can't believe how good Sohia's coordination is getting! (This morning she managed cheerios all alone). Of course it wouldn't be suitable for certain babies with problems, but as long as you let them feed themselves and always supervise its fine. Don't let them get you down!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 21, 2011, 11:33:15 am
oh i won't.. i think in part it's a young therapist who likes to prove how much she knows... she's a good speech path- but is the type who has to say what she knows... and i always think 'yes dear... i have been doing this a long time now too...'- Yeah- i'm well in favour from a speech pathology point of view too! I think that she was mainly hung up on giving a 6 month old sandwiches.. which i wouldn't personally anyway.. bread is REALLY hard to chew, and goes gluggy.. I always come up with the comebacks AFTER!!

Oh and our zest and deep love of mango has not abated- and our fine motor skills have improved allowing us to eat it much more effectively!! (us=hamish... my fine motor skills are passable...)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 21, 2011, 20:12:32 pm
Katy, it's funny as the "professional" view here (or at least the advice from the health visitors  - which I assume comes from our government which in  turn would come from the paediatric health professionals / advisors) is to go the BLW route...  They are running DVDs at the baby clinic, and basically just saying "give the baby what you eat" (minus any salt / sugar of course.)  You daren't mention the word purees in clinic lol!!

I hate that people always want to get into a debate about how you raise your children... and for the most part we sit there and politely nod along and do a much repeated non commital-don't-want-to-get-into-a-row-with-you version of an explanation when really what we want to do is say that it's none of their business and to stop ramming their opinions down my throat! Or maybe that's just (very British) me...!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 21, 2011, 21:26:30 pm
Lol, I do the same Rach!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 21, 2011, 21:39:47 pm
Me too!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 21, 2011, 21:45:47 pm
Yeah you said before it was the recommendation... vry interesting!!

Oh and i usually just do the same also- i'm all talk separately- or when giving advice on what OTHER people should say... but in the moment I rarely say anything!!!

A vast majority of the people- especially those who have had children, or finished having children, think it makes sense. Although in favour, my mother sitting behind be making 'ooh!' noises when a large piece goes in is off putting though!!

Oh and the other thing i think is funny- we too are not going to give hamish any added sugar or salt till at least 12 months- so no normal people foods like biscuits, chips, crisps etc... And when i say THAT i can see people sort of thinking 'oh... she's one of THOSE people then'.. but if I said that I had decided to drastically reduce the sugar or salt in my diet people would say- great job!! That will be SOO good for your health!! But with a baby it's crazy!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 21, 2011, 22:03:48 pm
OMG no sugar or salt of course! K never had those things until well after a year!

I said on the bc at the time but for those of you who aren't on it a funny (worrying) story.

I was sat in a waiting room with 6mo B and was chatting to a Mum of a 2.5yo boy. He was playing happily with the toys and she called him over "X do you want another lolly?" and proceeded to get out a huge chocolate on a stick out of a bag of 6 and hand it to her son. He of course took it. She then tried to hand one to B and said "does he want one?" I polite said "Oh err no thanks"
B ,meanwhile reached for the shiny foil and she was like "Ah look he does, let him have one"
I just said "No he's ok thanks. We only started solids a week ago, we haven't worked up to chocolate yet!"
I was really thinking "Are you crazy? Another lolly? How many has your poor (overweight) son had? He wasn't even asking for something to eat. There is no way I would feed my 6mo (or 2yo!!!) a huge slab of chocolate"
That is a whole other level to BLW!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 21, 2011, 22:30:28 pm
That is terrible! I only allow my dd1 very small amounts of chocolate. Some family members don't seem to understand this; they keep trying to bring her chocolate and don't seem to understand why I don't seem keen ::). We usually just end up hiding it and eventually eating it ourselves!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 22, 2011, 00:39:29 am
They are running DVDs at the baby clinic, and basically just saying "give the baby what you eat"
Interesting as my HV wasn't at all keen and told me to go on a weaning course at the local sure start centre.  It was THERE that the 'professional' weaning woman started the course warning us of the dangers of BLW and told us that BLWers leave their babies to choke to death.
She went through the traditional route, based on the current guidelines, wait until 6 months, start puree and within 1-2 weeks go to mush, another couple weeks go to lumps...and the WHOLE time from 6 months also offer finger foods.  She went to great lengths to describe what finger food is (size of a finger, fits in fist etc) and how to prepare it.  I sat there flabbergasted and at the end politely asked her to explain the difference between traditiona weaning finger food carrot batons and BLW finger food carrot batons.  She said that with BLW you just plonk it in front of the baby and wlak off to another room to leave them to choke.

I am not joking!

I didn't dare mention BLW at clinic until one day another HV weighed DS and asked me what he ate...erm erm erm...everything!  Another couple of questions and I eventually admitted that he was a self-feeder (wouldn't use the term BLW) she looked really confused, asked me if I meant BLW and seemed to be fine with it.
So - different stroke for different folks, but the scare mongers should be shot with sharpened carrot batons.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 22, 2011, 00:46:50 am
Since reading your chocolate sotry KM, I have to add to my weaning rant.
At the same weaning course, a woman and her twins were there.  She already had about another 4 kids who had all weaned traditionally without problem.  These twins wouldn't eat anything other than skips (not organix baddy free corn snacks, SKIPS the sugar laden muck that I would happily shove down my throat but wouldn't dream of giving to my baby) and this mother had come on the course in desperation to find a way to get her boys onto some real food.  They were about 12 months I think and had never accepted anything other than skips.
By the end of the course the only advice the weaning professional had given to her was to just keep giving them skips as at least they liked them.
Aaargghh!
It was ME that politely suggested she might look at the organix range and at least move them onto a healthier snack.
I felt so sorry for this mother, she clearly had no idea what to do with her twin boys as all her girls had weaned fine.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 22, 2011, 04:08:51 am
AHH! Facepalm over the evil carrot sticks of the BLW!!! That i must say is a reason that i thought i'd go with BLW- i would STILL be giving inger foods and encouraging him to self feed anyway!! I also get frustrated when people come to health workers with issues but still don't get directed to the right place! THe twins sound like some intervention from a speech pathologist or OT would help- rather than a generic talk!! THose talks are more for people after information rather than people with specific needs...

Luckily i won't have trouble with my mum and giving sweets and such as she didn;t let us have lollies, or chips- even at parties for YEARS- i'd say not till we were at least 4... I clearly remember asking to have a chip and being told no!! Finding a middle ground is important though... for all mum's hard line approach it hasn't stopped me from being too overweight and my sister being too underweight!!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: squeakersmum on December 22, 2011, 07:35:05 am
Well reading these I have to applaud my HV (and, trust me, I have NEVER done tgT before) as when I spoke to her briefly about the problems we were having with Abi being sick a lot with BLW she actually said that she was all for BLW!

It's funny isn't it; I quite happily stuffed my face with pringles and chocolate chip cookies yesterday...and made DS and DD some sugar free fruit and oat bars! I really should eat more like my children!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on December 22, 2011, 14:36:30 pm
Creations - that's mad isn't it? That from one area of the UK to another you get such different advice!?  I though BLW was standard advice now, I'm pretty sure my birth to five book says to give them what you're eating although it doesn't explicitly use the phrase BLW. 

Anyway, we are progressing with a mixture of softer mushed food and still giving finger food. Her coordination is improving a bit so hopefully the finger food will take over...  She actually grabbed my sandwich earlier today, and I felt really bad taking the bread back off of her because that soft doughy bread is what caused all that vomiting before... Soon baby, soon!!

KM - I remember the chocolate story! Still kind of horrifying really... My son didn't have his first taste of chocolate or anything sweet til his 1st birthday when he had a taste of his birthday cake. He likes sweets these days, but I am careful to limit them, and he's really not fussed about chocolate.

Squeakers mum - I agree, I would do well to follow the habits I've set up for my son! I am prone to weight gain so I'm really careful with monitoring what he has, thankfully he takes after DH's side so far and is tall and lean. Hopefully he will stay that way!   

R. x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 22, 2011, 18:18:42 pm
Squeakersmum - me too!! I love my chocolate but of course limit dd's. So I eat it while she's asleep ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 22, 2011, 21:13:43 pm
yes- the trouble with BW babies who get to sleep at night at a reasonable time!! We have sooo much time for eating junk after he's in bed!!

Rach: Bread is REALLY tricky- it's one of those things that seems soft and easy to eat, but it very quickly goes gluggy in the mouth. Day old bread is better- or at this early stage i'd say toast is a better option.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 22, 2011, 21:20:19 pm
wow- i was intrested rach in how you said it was standard- and gig some googling... here is the NHS (national health service?) recommendation for how to start introducing solids:

Getting started
Let your baby enjoy touching and holding the food.
Always stay with your baby when they’re eating in case they start to choke.
Allow your baby to feed themselves, using their fingers, as soon as they show an interest.
Don’t force your baby – wait until next time if they're not interested this time.
If you’re using a spoon, wait for your baby to open their mouth before you offer the food. Your baby may like to hold a spoon too.
Start by offering just a few pieces or teaspoons of food, once a day.
If the food is hot, allow it to cool and test it before giving it to your baby.
Don’t add salt, sugar or stock cubes to your baby’s food or cooking water.

Um.. did they take this from chapter 1 of the BLW book!?!?!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 22, 2011, 22:37:07 pm
yes, when you actually read the various leaflets they produce it's amazing how little puréeing there really is and there is much emphasis on finger food and joining in with family meals asap (based on starting to wean at 6 months which is the current guidance).  But I think many people are still stuck in an outdated train of thought that puree goes on for months and months, this is because LOs used to be started on puree at 6 or 12 weeks so of course it went on for a long time.
The outrageous professional who ran the weaning course I attended basically spent the whole of the first session reading an enlarged version of the same leaflets I'd already read as though we were illiterate.  Very unprofessional.
The only thing she did do well was push for home cooked food rather than jars or packs of baby mush.

Seems to me there's a large number of people (parents, health visitors etc) who don't know what the guides are for traditional weaning and don't know what BLW is, so don't realise that the two are not really all that different now.  In reality the two remain VERY different though when purées are continued month after month.  I know babies in our toddler group who are around 14 months old still on purée (packet stuff too) rather than family food.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 29, 2011, 13:53:05 pm
Hey what sort of bread are you guys introducing to your little ones? I was going to toast it for hamish.. but was wanting to avoid 'white death' bread.. i would want to give him multigrain but thought the grains might stick in his throat... i have bought some wholemeal and it's fortified with iron... which i thought could be positive.. but i'm not sure!! Any advice?!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 29, 2011, 14:34:18 pm
I use brown bread, toast it, and spread it with unsalted butter or coconut butter. Once I tried spreading on some mashed bananas too. She loves her toast!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: dburseth on December 29, 2011, 17:42:43 pm
Does toasting it really help stop the lumping up once its wet?

DH has been very nervous with my BLW.  So I explained it to him how purees were pushed so much because years ago(well, still nowadays, too :'() people started solids so young and so had to feed purees, but by 6 mos were on to finger foods anyway.  He seemed to 'get it' then.  It also helped to have DS eating at the table with DH's parents on Boxing day! lol.  They weren't worried, so he relaxed.  They were more worried about me getting solids and honey water into him at 2mos, haha, nod and smile, just nod and smile.  The power of generational learning.

Thankfully, DS loves his meat and potatoes, DH is quite concerned I'm raising a vegetarian, tooo funny! 

The leaflets I got here in Canada talked about readiness (sitting up, interest, etc.) but stressed the purees first.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 29, 2011, 18:44:58 pm
Katy, it's advised not to give whole grains to LOs because it fills them up too quickly and doesn't leave enough space in their tummy for other foods (veg etc) and (most importantly at this stage) milk.
That said, so long as you don't give brown rice, brown pasta, etc etc then I don't see the harm in a bit of brown/wholemeal bread.  I gave multigrain because that's what I eat and there's no way I was going to buy an entire loaf of white just for DS to eat a quarter of a slice.
I did change my bread though as I used to buy the in-store baked stuff covered in tons of seeds, I went to one that was a little more baby friendly.
And now that he eats more (approaching a year) I do buy some bits of white bread, things like bread sticks, crumpets, tea cakes, melba toast.  His preference for this is clear.  I don't want him to be a white bread junky though.  I also only use white flour in baking for him.

As for toasting, I toasted for the first trials of bread, it doesn't clog so much, but it's amazing how quickly they get used to things.  I also use unsalted butter, and have used various spreads, humus, taramasalata, pate, marmite, mashed banana.  Obviously some things that contain salt must only be a very thin spread of it.
Watch out for salt content in bread, it's really high and you can go over the daily salt allowance pretty quickly if your LO likes bread or toast (although I saw a TV prog that said UK bread is higher in salt than other countries so it might not be quite so high where you are).

Cam's mom, how lovely to have DS eating with the family on boxing day.  My DS totally LOVED Christmas dinner.  He was very aware that something different was going on, very patient for a much later lunch than usual (I would have given him a snack but he appeared to want to wait), ate lots and then waited SO patiently at the table whilst we all finished eating.  I'd never make him wait like that and usually he wants out of his chair as soon as he has finished eating but on that day he was really happy to sit with us whilst we finished.

Do you think once he is 1 year old we are classed as 'weaned'?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on December 29, 2011, 19:16:00 pm
Oh no! Why can't you give whole grains? Is it just because of filling them up? I have given brown pasta... Doesn't seem to stop her taking milk though...?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 29, 2011, 19:21:49 pm
I'm just going by the guidance in the UK.  yes I think the reason is just that they get full on it, perhaps harder to digest too.  I think it's fine once they are a year old and considered good to go whole grain then to encourage a healthy taste and lifestyle.  I really don't think that some here and there would do harm unless milk was really dropping.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on December 29, 2011, 19:50:34 pm
I read about the whole grains too. Giving a bit isn't the end of the world but as pp says it fills them up so they may not get all the nutrients they need and also it can stop them absorbing some minerals (irona nd calcium etc). It does say you can give some brown bread.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 29, 2011, 21:03:30 pm
oh- i do wish everyone would get themselves organised and give the SAME information!! Other stuff i've read says brown rice etc is fine!! He does have a bit of brown rice and seems ok on it... I'll check the salt content of the bread. I recently found a low salt cheese 'elbo' style.... whatever that is! What's your take on bread that's fortified with iron? I thought that could be a good thing.... but what do you guys reckon?

And the honey water thing- how funny- they now recommend NO honey till 12 months because of the infection risk!! botulism i think.. not sure... great that DH has relaxed- it;d be hard to do it otherwise!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: dburseth on December 29, 2011, 23:43:24 pm
Ya honey is stressed as a definate no no here due to botulism.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: baileyscommet on December 30, 2011, 09:33:36 am
Hi Ladies, Just joining this thread, looking for a little advice. My lo is 11 months next week and we BLW. I feel that I give him lots of the same foods and not much variety. I get so hung up on not giving him anything processed and limiting his salt intake (which I still don't fully understand - is it 0.4g) that I'm wondering if I'm not adventurous enough. Can you ladies with lo's of similar ages give me an idea of what your breakfasts/lunches/teas look like or is there a thread elsewhere for that?

Also in the UK what bread do you give lo's - it all looks like it's full of salt?

Thanks ever so...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on December 30, 2011, 12:45:08 pm
Salt intake is no more than 1g per day up to 12 months.  This is the equivalent of 0.4g sodium.  Some packets of food list the sodium AND salt equivalent but some only show one of them and you have to work it out (times sodium by 2.5 to find salt).  hope that makes sense.

At 12 months the salt intake can increase.  We are just about reaching this ourselves.
1 - 3yrs = 2g salt per day
4 - 6yrs = 3g salt per day
7 - 10 = 5g
11 - 14yrs = 6g (this is the same as adult salt intake)

I limited the amount of bread and processed foods I gave him.  So only half a slice of bread and a spoon full of canned baked beans (this was rare, I tended to use beans in water rather than regular baked beans in tom sauce as beans in water don't have any salt) and then nothing with salt in for the whole rest of the day.
Another day I might give a spoon full of canned tuna (NOT in brine, must be in oil) because he likes canned way better than fresh (I say Yuck to canned tuna but I do sometimes give it to him as he needs some protein and isn't a big meat eater so it's almost all beans and fish here).

Once I worked out from the packs how much I could give I kind of had it in my head and didn't go beyond that but stopped checking stuff as the pre-pack things are quite limited foods in our house.

Don't have time atm to list our meals but hope some of this info is helpful x
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on December 30, 2011, 20:15:44 pm
that's great creations- thanks!! I was going to ask about the salt intakes, but thought i could google it.. i had not realised the salt/sodium difference tho!! Great!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on January 01, 2012, 19:35:01 pm
Maybe have a look here for meal ideas Baileyscommet
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=186714.0
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 01, 2012, 19:51:28 pm
ugh.. i looked at the bread but it;s in mg not g... so i have to do complex maths to work it out!! (i'm not a mathematician!) (At all!!) I'll grab a calculator and work it oout when his majesty is not sitting eagerly in the high chair!

Tried a peanut butter with 100%peanuts, nothing else, no salt sugar or oil! (For hamish).. I now realise why the add these things!! I added some yoghurt to it and this made it a little smoother and very yummy!! He was still not convinced much on the broccoli tho!! I'm very sad as he really doesn't like greens! More broccoli has hit the ground than anything else around here!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: baileyscommet on January 03, 2012, 21:56:56 pm
Thanks Khalam's mum, this is great! Is my 11 month old considered a toddler now? I think I've been giving him a very bland diet so time to experiment a bit more. Also I don't think I've been giving him enough to eat, so I'll try to add in more snacks. That thread was really helpful, If anyone knows of any others with receipes please do let me know! Is there a way that we could all share receipes do you think?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on January 03, 2012, 22:12:56 pm
oh- i do wish everyone would get themselves organised and give the SAME information!!

Lol katy - the HV I saw today even managed to contradict herself within 2 sentences... there is literally NO hope that advice will ever be aligned internationally!   
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 04, 2012, 07:36:18 am
Baileyscomet - I think I tend to give a lot of the same foods too :-\ Partly cos that's what we eat but also cos I'm not sure how she'd cope with certain foods on her own. Like pie, or cottage pie ??? Actually yesterday I gave her some soup with a spoon and mainly fed it to her myself! :o. Is that terrible? She feeds herself most things which I think is great but surely me giving her a bit of soup is ok? I don't want her to miss out on healthy things like that because she can't do it alone. After the soup she had some salmon and carrot sticks all by herself ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 04, 2012, 10:03:22 am
Beckygatt- Sounds like the neat freak is coming out of you again!!!  :P I think she should manage cottage pie very well!! It might be just very messy!!! (that is assuming the small pieces of veg are well cooked... if that is your issue then i take back my laughing...). Have you considered offerring the soup in an open cup? It's a good opportunity to practice this, and a more practical and acceptible way for her to have soup even for a couple of years. I think there's nothing wrong with a three year old having a cup of soup- i know i do it!

HOWEVER- i don't think there's anything WRONG with giving some things on a spoon, especially if that's how they;re served- it's not as if you should thicken or not offer soup that you are eating just to avoid serving it on a spoon. Like very early on with us we were all having mashed potato and pumpkin and i almost left hamish's whole as i didn't think it was very BLW of me to mash it!! I offer yoghurt on a spoon now but often use a long one, hold the end and he grabs the front and puts it into his mouth. If you have a thicker sort of soup (pumpkin etc) then this could also work. I hold the end as otherwise the whole thing will hit the wall i'm sure (see- i am SOMETIMES neat!)

I can find things a bit same-y here too.. but also as sometimes i make a batch of stuff and it can last ages! That and hamish usually prefers to eat stuff he's eaten before. So my new plan is to offer a larger amount of a familiar food- plus a small amount of a new food at some meals- rather than the whole meal a new food. this was i hope we have a little less squish factor!

Hey- what;s your take (everyone) on store bought sushi, no soy sauce.... pre made.... salt content? They said they don't add salt.. but this question was relayed to another person in korean... so i'm not too sure...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 04, 2012, 15:34:40 pm
Yes Katy I admit it, the mess does put me off!! The soup in a cup is a good idea, I'll try that! I have to lighten up a bit, but I just seem to spend the whole day cleaning up! ::). I hate housework but like to have a decent house, not a great combination ;). And of course DH being a neatfreak doesn't help either

When you mention sushi I assume you don't mean raw fish... Not sure if the nori sheets have salt, or the rice vinegar... ???
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 04, 2012, 20:56:41 pm
Baileys commet, there are several recipe threads, sorry i don't have time to link them just now but if you look in the solids board main menu there's a bit at the top called 'child boards' and one of the boards has recipes.
I think there's a few that would be useful, don't be put off by the various ages if your are doing BLW it makes no difference if your LO is over 9 months or not as they can have anything (within reason, health risks aside etc).

I would have thought sushi would be salty.  Hmm, didn't I read somewhere no raw fish before 12 months??
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 04, 2012, 21:01:21 pm
no no- not raw fish... just the rice bit. Anyhoo- i gave him a bit but it was much more fun smooshing it everywhere than eating it- that stuff is surprisingly messy!! I thought it would brush off, but it kinda goes pasty!! lie rice glue or something!!

I do ind it confusing sometimes to remember the health rules- you know like no honey, no raw fish etc- as they are ALMOST but not quite what i was avoiding during pregnancy!! But no... i figured the raw fish was really a big boy food...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 04, 2012, 21:04:56 pm
Ok- just did some googling FYI.. on the recipes i found the sushi rice is made with about 1/4 cp sugar and 1/2 tsp salt per 9 cups of rice. It may be more when they make it in the shop... but that doesn't seem like HEAPS? Would you agree? That much across all the rice when you consider the serve he'll have? Opinions? 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 04, 2012, 21:50:51 pm
Lol Katy! Do you look for the messiest foods possible? :P
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 04, 2012, 21:57:17 pm
Honestly i think i sometimes do! I thought that the sushi would be safe!! And i do think of you- especially when something is unexpectedly messy!! 'oh.. beckygatt would NEVER be in this situation!'! Possibly with 2 LOs in the house a bit more forward planning/mess reduction makes sense!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 04, 2012, 22:11:05 pm
Lol ;). Actually I often make sushi so I know just how messy and sticky it can be! But my new years resolution is going to be to embrace the mess and just let her do what she will. I think once you need to clean up after every meal the amount of mess doesn't really make that much difference... Just as long as the clothes aren't anything special. Weaning in summer with just a nappy must be great!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Buntybear on January 04, 2012, 22:31:34 pm
Thanks Khalam's mum, this is great! Is my 11 month old considered a toddler now? I think I've been giving him a very bland diet so time to experiment a bit more. Also I don't think I've been giving him enough to eat, so I'll try to add in more snacks. That thread was really helpful, If anyone knows of any others with receipes please do let me know! Is there a way that we could all share receipes do you think?

Here you go

http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=178221.0
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 04, 2012, 22:34:00 pm
Weaning in summer with just a nappy must be great!
But not very BW ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 05, 2012, 00:34:56 am
It's nappies only here most days for meals!! (sorry creations... i don't get what you mean by 'not very BW'?)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 05, 2012, 08:28:53 am
(sorry creations... i don't get what you mean by 'not very BW'?)
Not very Baby Whisperer.  Tracy's guidance on meal times, she advised against LOs eating in just their nappies as this is not normal for older kids or adults, and she felt it set the wrong tone to a meal, kind of disrespectful to the LO to strip them off to eat.
But, I typed it 'tongue in cheek', I doubt every BWer follows every single BW guidance to the letter.  I know I don't, I use it as an amazingly valuable resource, but if I feel doing things slightly differently is best for me and my LO then I do so.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 05, 2012, 08:36:57 am
oh- i figured it was tongue in cheek... i just wasn't sure what you were getting at! But that makes sense.. i think tho that around here in summer it;s not unheard of for kids to eat with not much on as it can be hot and summer tends to be casual- so it's not that different... I'm the same- i use BW for much of the useful info- but on a lot of the feeding stuff actually i've followed other guidance- I don't think that the book suggests BLW for a start, and some of the BF stuff i found more useful info other places.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 05, 2012, 08:50:53 am
It gets so hot here it can be quite normal for kids/toddlers to run around in their nappies/pants! ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 05, 2012, 08:57:06 am
I think that in england where it often doesnt get  that hot that yes it would be strange to suddenly strip off a kid.. i'm going to have to buy one of those bib with arm thingies for winter i think..
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 05, 2012, 08:57:38 am
There's a sticky regarding how BLW fits with the BW philosophy, although Tracy still gave a traditional puree led weaning guide in her book she was very much of the attitude to respect the LO, hold back, encourage exploration, limit choices (too many are overwhelming and to stay within the LO learning triangle)...all things which fit with BLW.
The BF guidance has been updated on this site to reflect new information that Tracy wouldn't have been aware of.  If she was still with us I imagine she would be updating her guidance based on relevant recent research on various things.  She changed her advice on when to start potty training in the light of learning about EC and reduced it from 18 months to 9 months...so I think she was very open to changing attitudes and approaches etc.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 05, 2012, 09:01:40 am
Katy, I would think by the time you get winter you won't need a cover all bib.  The mess reduces rapidly.  I can use a 'normal' bib on DS now just to catch the chin dribbles.  I still put a muslin over his trousers for any accidentally dropped food but the cover all bibs with arms didn't do that job, still had to have a muslin there.
My favorite bibs have turned out to be the cheapest possible sort form one of those bargain shops (here they are pound shops), all plastic, short sleeved, just dunk in the sink with the washing up.   All other bibs with the velcro fastening mess up all the other clothes in the laundry even when I make sure they are fastened before going in the machine...they became a pet hate of mine!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 05, 2012, 09:18:14 am
I didn't use the long sleeve bib for very long and now I only use it for something really messy (not a word Katy! :P ;) ). Muslin over the legs helps too but she tends to kick it off. My favourite bib is a soft plastic one from mothercare with a flap to catch food. It doesn't interfere with eating and I just wash it in sink
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 05, 2012, 09:44:14 am
Ah- i can't wait for that!! I must say i also like the aldi silicone ones that have a catcher bit and they can be washed in the sink! I have a couple of IKEA ones too- plastic... much better than soaking them etc!

beckygtt- I got a mothercare couple the other day! They are ok- the food catcher is good! And i would NEVER say ANYTHING!!

Lucky you guys don't think i need a coverall bib- as i bought one and lost it!! I don't want to buy another till i find the first!!

Oh- and was it you Beckygatt the other day offering your LO weet bix? How did you serve that? I gave him a 'kids' weet bix- lower sodium and sugar... with a little bit of milk on it...(smidgy amount) he LOVED it! I only gave him one tho- and he didn't eat the whole thing.. i;m being mindful of the whole wheat thing... But i don't offer it at every meal, and brown rice is apparently not included- so im all good i think!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on January 05, 2012, 10:39:38 am
Sofia likes to play peepo with her plastic pelican bib... :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 05, 2012, 11:02:04 am
No I've never given weetabix actually. For cereal I give cheerios which she loves and is becoming really good at picking up!

Is it OK to give ricotta before a year? Thinking of making a ricotta pie...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 05, 2012, 11:26:54 am
I've read cheese is ok.. and i think ricotta wuld be included...- just read it again on the momtastic website (you know it don't you.. tell me if you need a link.. it's a bible for me!!)

So cheerios- i thought they were all sugary? I haven't actually read the box.. i think i;m getting my impression from the fact that the cheer leeders in Glee are called the 'cheerios'

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: MommyMoulton on January 05, 2012, 13:14:03 pm
É will be 6 months next week and we have started purees but I would like to give him some finger foods after the purees and again whdn he sits in the high chair when dh and I eat a little later. Suggestions on what to start with?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: suzannemoore on January 05, 2012, 13:23:22 pm
I just wanted to pop on her as my lo is 8 months old and eating off of my plate and has totally given up on the food I have prepared for her in the past.  She does very well mashing food with her gums, and has two teeth.  I just wanted to find out exactly what BLW is.  I know I should know this, but...  The only thing that she will still eat that are smooth is yogurt.  Thanks!  I look forward to joining the chat!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 05, 2012, 15:05:55 pm
In BLW you simply put food on their tray and let them feed themselves. You give them whatever food you are eating, within reason of course, not too much salt, sugar etc and no raw meat or eggs, honey etc before a year. If you google it there is a website with lots of useful info. I did purees with DD1 and blw with DD2 and I think its great! She's eating so much already. It should prevent problems with fusiness, refusing lumps and that sort of thing.

MM - I started with steamed vegetable sticks, like carrot, beetroot, apple, and roast veg like sweet potato and parsnips. I soon moved onto pieces of chicken and pasta. I think its a very good idea to give finger foods too and encourage self feeding from now :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: MommyMoulton on January 05, 2012, 15:48:41 pm
Beckyg- so like a whole carrot stick? Or do you chop it up into bits? If the latter howsmall?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 05, 2012, 19:22:31 pm
It would be a few inches long, enough to be able to hold and still bite. So for an average size carrot I'd half it down the middle then quarter it longitudinally to make them thinner. Does this make sense??  At the beginning I aimed for all foods to be cut in a 'finger' shape.

So this evening I bit the bullet and gave S cottage pie to eat with her hands!! It wasn't actually all that messy either. She had the long sleeve bib on but probably didn't really need it :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 05, 2012, 20:26:05 pm
Good work beckygatt!! You are coming along!

MM: A couple of the basic 'safety features' to go with BLW are that you don't offer foods that are too hard and will break off. SO if you were too offer raw carrot sticks for example, they may break the end of them off and get a small piece they can choke on. The other thing is that babies can't physically handle objects that they can't put into their mouth... so for example- at 6 months they can't manage to safely eat a small piece of food like a blueberry (for example), but at 8 or 9 months they probably can.... at 6 months they don't have the fine motor skills to use a pincer grip (index finger and thumb) to pick up such a small onject, or even access the food thats in the palm of their hand. The 'safety' part of that is that you are not meant to put food into the babies mouth for them. So- if they can't pick up a tiny piece of food- but you put it in their mouth for them they are at more risk of choking.

I usually- at least initially- offerred foods that were very soft, this meant that i knew that he'd chomp them down very easily. To start with (at 6 months) they just do a lot of exploring with the food (fancy word for playing with)- then after a little while (for us about a week or 2) they start eating the stuff. Now Hamish eats heaps right away! I know that if he isn't eating what i've offerred him- he's probably not going to have anything, and that if i was doing purees it'd be a day i'd have a fight to get stuff in anyway!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: MommyMoulton on January 05, 2012, 21:59:20 pm
Ok thanks ladies... seems silly to steam up one carrot.... can I microwave it? No dishwasher here(actually yes.. but its me! BLAH)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 05, 2012, 23:28:35 pm
I pretty much microwave it all! Just watch for hot spots... what i tend to do is microwave it, then leave it to cool- if i'm in a hurry pop it in the freezer for a few minutes- we also have a person powered dishwasher.... HATE!!

I LOVE the photo of the dog and the baby! Very cute!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: MommyMoulton on January 06, 2012, 01:39:22 am
Katy- so like a carrot stick in as microwave dish with like a bit of water for like a min or two? Sorry I'm not much of a cook... Hence ht feeding solilds is rough....really do need an instrucctions manual with steps or an on call nanny or cook or something!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: suzannemoore on January 06, 2012, 02:20:57 am
This is a great spot.  My son was and still is a terribly fussy eater and had a huge problem with textures. For a while I had a feeling that I was giving my lo too many solids, but she just loves everything and she is still having 4 good bf's a day.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 06, 2012, 08:35:01 am
MM- ha ha- yeah... i'd put a couple in, then you can put them in the fridge for later... i'd probably do them in 30 second bursts? Especially if you only have a couple in there. The othe reason a couple is good is that uyou can take a little bite to see if they're done. Sweet potato and butternut pumpkin, butternut squash are a couple of my favourites. easy to make soft....Just do them in the same way.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 06, 2012, 10:33:31 am
MommyMoulton - Make plenty, some of them will end up on the floor (or in the dog) so it's good to have extra cooked so you can pop another down on the tray.  Also the best way for your LO to eat is to see you eat exactly the same thing.  I always made a point of telling and showing DS that I was having 'same'.  Yes it means slightly odd meals or snacks for you for a little while but you can also prepare a full meal for the family and just offer LO a part of it.  So if you have pie chips carrots give him just the carrots part.
It's a good way to improve your own diet because you will increase veg and fruit intake and reduce salt, sugar and junk food intake (not saying you eat a lot of junk, I have no idea, but we all eat 'naughty' foods don't we).
I found it a little strange at the beginning as I was having these quite limited meals at odd times with DS but now we have a big lunch together and it is my main meal of the day, then more of a snack for dinner.

FWIW to all - approaching 1 yr old DS has recently started to re-question food he is offered.  He used to put everything he was offered straight in his mouth.  Now there are times he looks at things and seems to be unsure if they are ok to eat.  If he hasn't seen me eat it yet he offers me a piece of his (to check for poison I reckon!) and I either nibble his or take a piece off my own plate and show him me eating it.  I think this is a natural process as they explore and have more chance of encountering danger.  I don't know if anyone else found this.  To me it seems similar to separation anxiety - as in LO becomes more cautious.  With SA it can be linked to mobility, they get on the move and SA kicks in to keep them close to mummy and safety, wander off and you can get eaten by the lions.  I've read nothing about this sort of thing with food but to me it sounds logical.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 06, 2012, 11:10:33 am
makes sense creations! love the ticker- is it new? And whens the big birthday?! Veryexciting!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: baileyscommet on January 06, 2012, 20:29:24 pm
Thank you Creations and Buntybear, this is great. I think I have been a bit 'cautious' on what I've been giving my lo.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Tecike on January 07, 2012, 08:01:47 am
Hi all!

Been reading along, as I also want to start finger foods...V is 6 mo next week and so far he's had purees of fruit..and didn't have veggies yet.
So, as I'm in a different culture than most of you, ladies, we don't have many of the things you have.... Of course, I mean to start with carrots, but instead of sweet potatoes, can I use ordinary potatoes? And do you steam beetroot the same as you do carrots? I've never tried beetroot, so it'll be interesting. And do you steam fruit as well? Like we have apples and pears here now, can you steam them?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 07, 2012, 09:46:45 am
yup- steam the apples and pears as they'll be too hard otherwise. I'm sure potato will be fine! And i've never steamed beetroot, but it could be fun- messy tho!!

If you have a think about how you prepare the foods like beetroot as you would, and just reduce the salt content and sugar.. if you can! Offerring foods that you are eating makes it easier for you!

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 07, 2012, 10:05:29 am
Hey Tecike - the thing with BLW is to give Lo the 'same' food as the family.  In the very early days I made food especially for LO and I to eat together, it didn't make a full meal for me though.  But quickly moved on to 'real' food.  So you really can and should just offer LO something from your regular diet.  Within reason, no sugar, salt, honey etc.  But one of the positive aspects of BLW is that if you start your LO on the food you usually eat then they get used to those flavours right from the off.

There is no need to start with carrots or any particular food, just whatever you want.
What sorts of food do you usually eat as a family?

Is it things like stews, meat, beans, mousaka, polenta? (sorry to be ignorant of your culture! I just googled it and this is what I read)  My DS LOVES stews with beans, aubergine, courgettes (zuccini), tomatoes and red peppers.  I usually chop the veg in quite big chunks so he can get hold of them.

My DS is not fond of potato unless it is roasted, in the early days I made some potato wedges (skins on, baked in the oven) sprinkled with some herbs or spices and he ate them but he went off them when he discovered there were other foods to eat!

Yes you can steam fruit, DS got lots of steamed apple wedges and pear wedges.  They only take a minute or two though, do watch them or they turn to mush really quickly.
Soft fruits like melon, nectarine, papaya, mango, plum can be given without steaming.
You can offer fish and meat from 6 months too (UK guidelines other places are different).

And cooked beetroot - I LOVE it and don't get it nearly as often as I would like.  That would be a lovely food to offer, but expect some stained clothes!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 07, 2012, 11:28:03 am
Hi Tecike!

I give Sophia steamed beetroots (same as steaming carrots). I've heard that they stain when raw but not once cooked, but don't trust me on that one! My lo loves baked potato wedges or home made chips. She also likes steamed broccoli and cauliflower, though I don't give these at night as they seemed to cause some gas at the beginning. I also made some chicken patties with minced chicken, some grated carrot and marrow and a beaten egg. I froze some before cooking and they're great to pop in the oven for both girls if what we're eating isn't suitable (or ready!).
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 07, 2012, 12:11:40 pm
Is that where i'm going wrong with the patties? Does freezing them after they're cooked dry them out?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 07, 2012, 12:34:26 pm
Hmmm. Don't think I've ever tried freezing after they're cooked. I suppose it might if there isn't any gravy. I freeze them raw then bake them in a dish with a little coconut oil so they don't dry out. You could also fry in a little coconut oil or butter I guess.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: katie80 on January 07, 2012, 16:42:13 pm
Hi Ladies :)

I'm joining in to listen along for now and I'll probably have some questions as well.  DS will be 6 mo in 3 weeks and I'm quite interested in BLW (have just received the book by mail and read a chapter or two). 

DD basically BLWd unintentionally; she did NOT like any purees I tried and I tried them all, LOL!  But, I didn't know I could give her real/finger food at 6 mo, so we started at 8 mo when she could pick little pieces of avocado, sweet potato, banana off her tray by herself.  She LOVED that and it fit her spirited/independent side well.

My main concern with DS is that he's quite a big baby (I think around18.5-19 lbs now) and doesn't typically make it 4 hrs between feeds (EBF) yet (partly due to short naps, but partly due to hunger).  I know he won't be getting much with BLW to start off with (not that he would with purees either, I guess).  And, I know that the main point of starting solids isn't to push other feeds farther apart, but I am getting a bit antsy to get there with him.  Any experiences to share?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 07, 2012, 19:21:08 pm
They start getting food down pretty quickly Katie, and my DD still has a lot of milk anyway, so I don't think it should be a problem... I started letting her experiment a bit before 6 months and she 'got it' pretty quickly. At the beginning you do have to look at it like play and as a learning experience though. Give it a try! Its lots of fun and great if you have an older one to worry about too ;)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 07, 2012, 21:56:41 pm
Katie- we started hamish a week before 6 months (he grabbed my banana and i figured that that was close enough!) It took him pretty much 2 weeks before he'd reliably pick up the food and eat it. THis could mean that it takes 2 weeks fron starting (roughly) or once he was just over 6 months he had the fine motor skills required. Either way- it doesn't take long. It will seem like FOREVER!!! And you'll be thnking 'oh my god- this kid is never eating!!' BUT you need to remember that if you are following traditional weaning, with a new food every 4 days, and starting with a teaspoon once a day and working up slowly to a couple of tablespoons, it would take you a couple of weeks ANYWAY for them to be getting enough nutrition from the food. The milk is still the main source- and if you compare the amount of nutrients, energy etc in a a few tablespoons of puree carrot, to that of the breastmilk/formula, you'll realise that it's not the main source...

And it's great fun watching them try the new things!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: squeakersmum on January 07, 2012, 22:26:23 pm
Maaaaaaan!!! I've just realised that i've been doing it all wrong! Ever since Abi's had pincer grip mastered i've been breaking things into pieces for her. Aggh! Fail!

Do you guys think that if I start giving her bigger pieces again now that she'll cope with them?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 07, 2012, 22:32:49 pm
Yeah- i'm sure she will!! Possibly if you give her sticks of things, rather than airway sized chunks, so that she won't pop the whole thing in... but that's me trying to be cautious!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: squeakersmum on January 07, 2012, 22:42:29 pm
Thanks! I guess it was an instinctive/habit thing because DS has his meat etc cut up for him if he can't do it himself on his plate rather than picking it up and chewing off a chunk! Lol!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: MommyMoulton on January 08, 2012, 00:50:15 am
Well... E was to have pureed carrots tonight.. which he has had before... And he WASNT having it at all... a few spoonfuls then noda. He just loves fruit... but he is gonna have to get used to it somehow. I did steam up a slice of a pepper and gave it to him after... it did make it to the mouth a few times but not a whole lot of eating... just playing with it. Once it hit the floor I gave up for today.

On the up side... E, i think, has figured out how to drink from the sippy cup.... heard the sounds of the water being sucked... too bad nothing ended up down the throat... just down the front of him... LOL Trying my darnest to take everything in stride.... as he is just learning... but there are refusal days like today where I would just like to skip and go straight to 9months old.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 08, 2012, 01:46:10 am
HA ha- don't panic MM- there are still refusal days for us too! THe benefit is that at this point it really doesn't matter if he refuses! There's always the milk back up! And hamish seems to think water is great as a mouth wash- in, swirl around and out again- he LOVES it!! Reaches out for the cup again and again- then in and down the front!! He does get some, and in a couple of months i'm sure he'll be getting heaps! Just keep offerring the finger foods and he'll work it out! Especially foods that he likes like soft fruits. It's hard in winter... not as many nice soft fruits about!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on January 08, 2012, 07:11:02 am
And hamish seems to think water is great as a mouth wash- in, swirl around and out again- he LOVES it!! Reaches out for the cup again and again- then in and down the front!! He does get some, and in a couple of months i'm sure he'll be getting heaps!

haha, F still loves this trick and she's almost one  ::)  She drinks properly when she's thirsty though, so I just try to ignore it the rest of the time. And it is handy when brushing teeth  ;).
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 08, 2012, 12:53:07 pm
Just found this site - looks like some nice recipes there

http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/baby-led-weaning-recipes.html
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 08, 2012, 12:57:11 pm
Love the link creations! I think i've seen it before but had forgotten.. i so need some more inspiration!

so- are people using whole milk in cooking? What about a smidgen on weetbix, or as a dampening/wetting agent? (you know, for dry crumbly foods)

So i'm not sure about this 'offer food till they stop eating' bit- tonight e simply had to stop hamish's dinner as we'd run out of food!!  Just kept eating!! So- for the newbies- it does happen!! Balances out the no eat days for sure!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 08, 2012, 13:14:11 pm
have you all seen Lemonthyme's great blog? http://mamacook.blogspot.com/ great collection of baby friendly recipes- and beautifully photographed and presented! No salt and sugar- perfect!

They are designed for the whole family too- not just babies!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 08, 2012, 19:08:40 pm
Katy, guidance in the UK is that you can use whole milk in cooking or on cereal etc from 6 months so I did.  Just can't give it to them as their main milk source because it isn't as good as breast or formula milk.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on January 08, 2012, 19:39:06 pm
Yes we use milk for cooking/cereals etc but as creations said just not for drinks.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 08, 2012, 19:47:07 pm
great! Have you guys served prunes- you know to help with constipation. How have you done them? Do you give prune juice? He seems a little bunged up... 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 08, 2012, 20:16:47 pm
I give a whole prune.  DS usually has one a day, he loves them and would eat a whole bag if I let him (which I DON'T).  If he starts getting a bit too soft I hold off for a day or two, and offer carrots (although he won't eat carrots atm, he's off many veg atm actually!)

I made a right mess up yesterday though.  Hadn't baked muffins in a while and had ripe bananas that needed using.  Whipped up some muffins and in a strange moment of not really thinking about it I chopped up a load of prunes (got a bag on reduced price as they must be eaten this month) and chucked them in.  The muffins were LOVELY.
We each had one, but then later on DP gave DS his afternoon snack and when he updated me it turned out it was another muffin!  I then worked out there was the equivalent of two prunes per muffin!!!!!!  Talk about laxative foods!
This morning he had the kind of poop you really don't want to see in the morning  :-X
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 08, 2012, 20:26:00 pm
Ha ha ha!! Oh no!!! Oh well- he's not constipated at least ;) ... I might add that prune in then- as insurance..
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: squeakersmum on January 08, 2012, 20:43:28 pm
Lol!!! I HAVE to share...

I made some banana toast from that link (which I great btw! Thanks!) and used some frozen BM that I had left in the freezer. Abi was having a goo chew on one and Ben was eating some too. DH wandered into the kitchen and said 'Ooh, that looks nice Ben! Can Daddy have a bit?' DS of course said yes and before I could stop him he popped one in his mouth!! Priceless!!!

That said, he's also eaten part of the inside of a disposable nappy...

Abi is very enthusiastic about grabbing food and putting it in her mouth - just still doesn't actually swallow much of it!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 08, 2012, 20:46:59 pm
LOL!!! Oh well- if you run out of milk for the coffee you know that DH can just have a squeeze of BM!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 08, 2012, 21:56:07 pm
LOL about the BM!!

Interesting about being able to use milk from 6 months, I didn't know that.

Funny to hear about babies getting constipation. Are your babies poos all formed now? Sophia's are still really loose, like newborn poo! At the moment she's teething but even when she isn't its loose :-\
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 08, 2012, 22:22:09 pm
in the last few days it's become very formed- just what i'd imagine an adult poo would look like!! It's weird for us as we were EBF so it was always VERY VERY runny!! I was actually going to ask if a formed poo seemed constipated! So i don't THINK he's constipated as he did 2 big poos in the period of an hour (since writing first about constipation!!) But I still gave him a prune and some steamed pear for breakfast! And skipped the weetbix...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Tecike on January 10, 2012, 11:50:16 am
Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies, I will sure start trying all of them!

Creations - I'm actually a Hungarian living in Serbia, so I live in a mixture of cultures/cuisines. Yes, we eat a lot of stews, but unfortunately less made of vegetables, it's mostly made of meat...and DH doesn't eat a lot of veggies, so I'm afraid that I'll end up the same as with DS1...He ate all the veggies I offered until he found out his daddy doesn't eat them, so it's now very hard to convince him that veggies are yummy! And we eat a lot of pasta, I'm not sure if there's any recommendation on when to offer pasta. And lucky for us, we eat a lot of soups - so I can cook everything in them and just take them out for Victor before I add spices! What about sour cream? I use it a lot for sauces and vegetable dishes...

I did give prunes to V already - he got constipated (didn't have a poo for 2 days) after rice cereal and bananas. I cooked a few and passed them through a sieve, so I got a puree of it. Gave 2-3 spoonfuls to him and now it's OK.

That website is a gold mine! SO many good recipes! Now I just have to lock myself into the kitchen and cook and cook and bake and cook..... ;D
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 10, 2012, 12:00:29 pm
We've been having a prune each morning the last couple of days and i think it's going well!

Wish me luck ladies- leaving on a week away with a bunch of friends, all with babies.. they'll be there to witness EVERY meal in ALL IT"S MESSY GLORY!! We'll be taking our drop sheet to prevent people accusing us of unduly messing stuff up...

See you in a week!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 10, 2012, 12:04:06 pm
Enjoy Katy, sounds lovely!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: suzannemoore on January 10, 2012, 13:34:17 pm
Hi there.  I have an 8 mo lo and I wanted to get some ideas of what others are feeding their lo's.  SHe has mastered the easy stuff (Cheerios, small chunks of veggies, etc)  Thanks for sharing!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: squeakersmum on January 10, 2012, 13:42:21 pm
Quick question... How long do you let meal times go on for? I discovered yesterday that Abi will actually take in a decent amount (and actually swallow some lol) if we're at the table for an extended time. My BFF was visiting and needed to BF her son so we just stayed where we were even when we'd finished eating. Abi was happy so I left her in her high chair next to us and she kept eating. So I guess she's a slow eater. We were probably there for an hour - way too long for a normal meal so I was just wondering what you made the cut off point? 20 minutes? More if they're still eating?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 10, 2012, 13:51:05 pm
I wonder that too- The general suggestion is to follow their lead- but sometimes Hamish will just go on eating as long as food is being presented to him!! I think as at the moment as eating is as much exploring as eating then an hour is fine- if she were physically EATING for the whole time then there'd be an issue- but sitting there playing, looking and then eating somei think is fine. Especially if she's part of your /meal/ at that time.

And it would have been rude for her not to eat while your BFF's baby was having a meal!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on January 10, 2012, 15:03:59 pm
For the first few months I always allowed at least half an hour  - sometimes she was bored before that but usually that's about as long as she was happy and still exploring/eating, sometimes up to 45 mins. If I gave her things slowly, not too much or too many different things at a time, she would last longer, otherwise she sometimes got overwhelmed early on and acted like she was done, when really it was just a bit too much at once. We always ate together, so it was good for me (and DH when he was there) to sit and take our time!

Now she's a lot more capable of just eating what's in front of her, so maybe 20 mins. If she's not interested in actually eating she lets me know long before that! So now if she starts throwing or pushing food away, we wrap it up.

Suzanne: at 8m my LO was really starting to have a go at most things - pasta was a favourite; rice with some sort of sauce, cottage pie, etc....just put stuff in a pile in front of her and let her go for it! Have you introduced meat? Mine loved big chunks of roast beef to chew/gum on, as well as home-made sausages (from minced pork/beef/chicken) and fish cakes. Vege fritters were good too - eg, grated carrot, sweet potato, or pumpkin. If you don't have any allergy issues, I'd just start giving her whatever you're having, without the salt. (I cook everything salt-free now, and DH and I add it to ours at the table).
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 10, 2012, 17:08:40 pm
Sophia usually starts complaining when she's had enough to eat so that's when the meal ends. Either that or when she stops actually putting food in her mouth. Never more than 20-30mins I'd say; she's quite an efficient eater.

I give Sophia whatever we or DD1 are eating; veg and meat/chicken/fish, pasta, cottage pie, chicken patties...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 10, 2012, 21:34:48 pm
Hamish indicates he's finished by either dropping stuff off the high chair- or splashing in the accumulates juices/liquids- thanks buddy! Sometimes though he just stops eating.... other times we run out of food!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on January 11, 2012, 04:21:37 am
or splashing in the accumulates juices/liquids- thanks buddy!

yes, this too  ::) Usually just when I'm congratulating her on what a tidy meal it's been!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: katie80 on January 11, 2012, 04:35:12 am
Thanks for the replies, Beckyg and Katy. I'm about half-way though the book and enjoying listening in on here.

Katy - Super cute new avatar! Hamish looks like quite the little man. :-)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 11, 2012, 10:29:24 am
Ta! Soo excited we have reception!! We have had our first meal with company- did well, and less mess than the 1 year old!! Yay!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: suzannemoore on January 11, 2012, 13:42:22 pm
Thanks for the food ideas ladies!!  We are having fun trying new things!!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: baileyscommet on January 12, 2012, 20:23:46 pm
Good evening ladies, I was after a little advice. My little man is 1 on the 3rd February and isn't eating much at the moment for meals. I've got a few questions, hope it's ok to take advantage of your knowledge!

He is quite happy to 'snack' but isn't eating a meal - do you think this is just a phase?
Also he won't eat anything from a spoon, so desserts are a nightmare - he just throws the spoons. Yoghurt, custard etc are all of the menu, any ideas? Do I give up or just keep trying?
Also my little man really favours fruit over anything else, he just goes mad for it. I do give him it at every meal but I'm wondering if I should hold back some to see if he eats a variety of other things ie more meat/carbs etc...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 12, 2012, 22:13:33 pm
I'm not sure if there's any recommendation on when to offer pasta. And lucky for us, we eat a lot of soups - so I can cook everything in them and just take them out for Victor before I add spices! What about sour cream? I use it a lot for sauces and vegetable dishes...
They can have just about anything from 6 months.  The things they can't have are salt (no more than 1g per day), sugar, honey, raw shellfish, and whole nuts (and beware of other choking hazard sized things).  If there's any allergy in the family then you would hold back on that food until later (maybe at age 1).  Pasta is fine, big fav of DS's.  It's good to use a shape that sauce gets trapped in, like shells, or twists, they are also easier to pick up with fingers.  Occasionally I make some separate pasta shells for DS when I have spaghetti because he won't entertain the difficulty of spaghetti, he wants food he can eat, not play with.
Spices are ok although I wouldn't put too much in for the LO.  DS has had chilli and curry since 6 months.  The only problem we had was a skin reaction to something in garam masala which I had sprinkled on potato wedges.  He got red blotches on his hands and face but he wasn't sick.
Maybe you could add some big chunky veg in with your stews or soups and take them out just for the LO?  When I make a stew I put in some extra big bits for DS and serve his first, picking out all the good sized chunks for him.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on January 13, 2012, 03:56:30 am
Also he won't eat anything from a spoon, so desserts are a nightmare - he just throws the spoons. Yoghurt, custard etc are all of the menu, any ideas? Do I give up or just keep trying?

Will he eat from a loaded spoon? ie, you put some yoghurt etc on the spoon and leave it on the tray, and let him choose when to pick it up and try to put it in his mouth so he feels like he's in charge? It'll be messy at first (they always seem to want to turn it upside down!) but you might find that he gets the hang of it pretty quickly. My LO is about the same age and is just starting to be able to scoop porridge out of the bowl with her spoon herself, and get it in her mouth, with a little occasional guidance.

Or you could try giving him pieces of fruit and showing him how to dip them in the yoghurt or custard. Or how about a baked custard that's a consistency he could pick up with his fingers? Or forget it altogether for a couple of weeks and then try again =)

My LO is super keen on fruit too, and has it with every meal, but only after she's had other things. If you're really worried that he's not eating anything else because he's waiting for fruit you could limit what you offer.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 13, 2012, 04:42:50 am
I also offer a loaded spoon by using a long spoon, preloaded, and holding it in front of ds... At about mouth level. He then grabs it either just behind the bowl of the spoon- or the stuff on the spoon- and eats it like that. It's a good way to prevent the battle if the spoons (but I want the spoon mummy!) and to give them some control- without it all ending up against the wall. I figure it can be easy to scale Bach my support from there too...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on January 15, 2012, 21:00:42 pm
Hello ladies, not been around much recently but hope you're all getting ok!

WS wondering if any of you would mind telling me what times your Los eat/have milk. LJ's having so much milk at the mo - 30 fl oz - and not eating much at breakfast (unless it's Cheerios) or lunch. She will eat lots of tomato and cucumber if I offer it to her at lunch and fruit also. She's eating much more at dinner (5.30pm). Tonight she ate loads of pasta bolognaise, green beans and broccoli. And then only had only 5 oz before bed. She normally would have 9 oz. so good progress there.

Up until today it's been like this...

7am - milk
8 or 8.30am - breakfast

11am - milk
12.30pm - lunch

3pm - milk
5.30pm - dinner

Milk before bed (between 6.30 and 7.30pm)

This morning we gave her weetabix first. She only had a quarter and then drank 7 oz milk - the same as she would normally have if milk came first.  We thought maybe she was just full up on milk so not that interested jn eating too many solids.

What do you think ladies? Thank you! Xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on January 15, 2012, 22:22:30 pm
Wow, your LO is doing really well. Our timings are similar to yours, but we're getting virtually no solids down. Is your LO managing all those foods BLW style at 6m 1 week? That's incredible. My DD is still gagging a lot and although she much prefers holding and feeding herself her own food vs. purees, she doesn't seem to be making a massive amount of progress as we've been at this like a month now...

Fair dues, Sofia is teething at the mo, but I'm giving her another few weeks to start taking more and then I'm going to switch to food first, milk 2nd, as I think the volume of milk she's getting is interfering. Either by 8m her appetite will have increased to meet the food and milk on offer, or we'll have to bring the 28-35oz of milk down!

I am beginning to feel like I hate weaning!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: snowbird on January 15, 2012, 23:22:52 pm
No, LJ's 9 months. You read the countdown to my wedding anniversary by mistake, Rachel :) we've been purely blw for 3 months now. I'm quite happy with how she's going - but just like you I'm wondering if the milk is interfering. Not sure when to feed. One problem is we're eating every couple of hours so it's hard to get out and about.

Rachel, Sofia's not even 7 months yet so I really wouldn't worry (sure you already feel calmer now you know how old LJ really is lol). It took LJ a while to eat properly and now she doesn't seem to be eating much for breakfast and lunch. I'm stayinG calm about it - they learn to eat at different paces like everything else and will eat what they need.

I would keep offering a variety of finger foods to give Sofia the practice. She'll soon work out what to do and the gagging will lessen. Am assuming it bothers you more than it does her?? LJ just carries on once she's gagged!

And my favourite quote that keeps me going...

"food is just for fun until 1!!"

Xxx
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 15, 2012, 23:54:25 pm
Remember too Rachel that the nutrition density in the milk (so how much goodness per oz) is much higher than in the solids you'll be offering- blw style or purees... So I wouldn't start reducing milk feeds yet to encourage solids... You wouldn't start that till closer to 9 months...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on January 16, 2012, 11:27:37 am
Ah! Sorry snowbird - in my defence, it was nearly 10.30pm and Sofia had been up and down all evening with teething pain so my head obviously wasn't screwed on right!!! :)

That makes more sense then, I was thinking WOW this baby is incredible!!

The gagging doesn't bother her or me, it's the torrent of vomit that comes afterwards. I think she has a really sensitive gag reflex which is fine, we've had no choking worries, but clearing up all that sick every time she gags is just crazy so we backed away a bit from BLW, and started with a few more mushed up things. I continued giving her some finger foods but leaned towards ones that dissolve in the mouth more easily / don't require too much gumming. As you're in the UK you probably know the Organix brand, she loves the carrot corn sticks which she can hold easily and they just turn to mush once they've been sucked a bit.

I know she's thriving as she is (she's packing on the weight without taking much solids) so that's fine, and I know the HVs say food is just for fun at this stage, but I kind of need to have a future plan in mind so that I can relax about it in the meantime. (Control freakish tendancies!)   I was thinking that by 8m (another month to go) we should have dropped the DF, and hopefully her appetite for food will have increased... She has seemed interested for ages, and lunges at people with food, but when it comes to her turn, she just not bothered...

R. x
 

Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 16, 2012, 12:38:24 pm
My Sophia is having 3 solid meals and 3-4milk feeds during the day, plus still having 2 NFs ::). So her day is something like this, although solid meals are quite flexible as she eats with us or DD1. Eating right after milk doesn't seem to affect her intake all that much.

7.30 - milk
8/8.30 - breakfast
12 - milk
12.30/1 - lunch
3.30/4 - milk
6 - supper
7 - milk

Not sure how much milk she has as its BF. Solids are improving all the time but there will be times she doesn't eat much at all, especially if she's teething.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: creations on January 16, 2012, 20:34:50 pm
snowbird at your LOs age my DS had milk and solid feeds at roughly the same time table as you're on.  We were just moving from bottle to sippy cup for the two day milks though.  ie bottle first thing in the morning and last thing before bed but the milks at 11am and 3pm were in a sippy cup along with a snack.  The snack would be something carbsy and something fruity.  Most LOs drop the 3pm bottle/breast first but DS was the other way around and we moved to the 11am sippy and snack pretty well but the 3pm bottle hung on a little while longer.

I really know the feeling of feeding every couple of hours.  I've been feeling like that since DS was born and I keep thinking the next stage is going to make it easier but it doesn't!  You just have to pack some snacks or lunch and go out without thinking about it too much  :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: MommyMoulton on January 16, 2012, 20:37:43 pm
I gave E a cheese stick today... he managed to get it into his mouth and play with it for a bit... but eventually got a piece off... and it was a big piece... I was so worried about him choking that I took it from him and then got the piece out of his mouth... tried again a few min later. same thing only this time he tried to  swallow the piece... ended up gaging then choking where I had to pat his back forcefully... then he puked. eveyrthing... like the cheese stick, his solids and most of his milk bottle from an hour earlier.

Did I do something wrong? Or is BLW not for us?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Papaya on January 16, 2012, 21:25:07 pm
MommyMoulton, that gagging reflex is really common. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong, it just means that your LO is working out what he needs to do with the food in his mouth before he tries to swallow it. The gag reflex is quite far forward in the mouth, so it actually prevents choking - the big bit of food doesn't get as far as the air passage, IYSWIM. The best thing you can do if LO starts gagging is to just sit back and stay calm (I know it's hard!), let him sort it out and then be there for him if he needs you. I bet he won't - my LO gagged regularly at the start, and sometimes brought up some milk too, but she'd always be ready to reach out for more food straight away so I knew I was more worried by it than she was!  There's a big difference between gagging and choking (which is really rare, both with BLW and with regular weaning - my LO was more likely to choke on water from her sippy cup than anything else :)) and putting fingers in LO's mouth can interfere with the gag reflect so could make things worse  :(. The gagging stage didn't last long with us - a couple of weeks tops. And then just the occasional gag after that.

It sounds like he was having trouble with the cheese today though, so perhaps you'd feel more comfortable holding off on that for a week or two until you're both a bit more confident. What else have you tried? You could stick with things like well-steamed veges or soft fruit perhaps, things that will hold their shape to pick up but mush in the mouth a little easier? There's no hurry to introduce heaps of different foods at this stage.

HTH  :)
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Khalam's Mama on January 16, 2012, 21:55:00 pm
I agree I would give things that dont come off in big hard chunks until he gets used to it more and the gag reflex lessens. We had lots of gagging and vomiting to start but it only lasted a week or two.

B has only really started eating good amounts at 8.5mo but is gaining weight great. I did purees from the start with DS1 and he wasn't interested in food for about a month either.
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 17, 2012, 07:54:17 am
MM - I agree too. S does still gag sometimes but always sorts it out. I haven't given cheese sticks yet but I did give her grilled cheese on toast which she loved and managed quite well.

We are on 3 meals a day now and she gets a fair bit down. Should I also start adding a snack? S is 8 months tomorrow! Its only just occured to me, I still think of her as 7. How time flies!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: amayzie on January 18, 2012, 07:32:51 am
Happy 8 months Sophia!! Hamish ate HEAPS whule we were away- ate like a crazy man!! our friends were both impressed and confused... and thought i was crazy.. but still! A new favourite is the salmon spinach potato cakes from lemonthyme's blog.. smashed them down!!

A word of warning ladies- if in doubt check their mouths!! Hamish was eating kiwi fruit wedges today, and i usually keep the skin on as it's ledd slippery- he usually just gums away at it and leaves the skin. This morning he had a wedge and the whole thing ent in-  was going to fish it out but next minute he coughed, and opened his mouth and it was gone! So i thought the whole thing had gone down. Then later this morning he was REALLY fussy, but his teeth have been playing up- and we were packing to leave for home so i thoguht he was just grumpy.. nex thing i pick him up and am about to give him some neurofen for the teeth- when i notice the kiwifruit skin from half a hour ago bobbing around!! I fished it out no probs.. but phew!! Lucky!!

now- if you guys could give some thoughts on the amounts i'm offerring... so we do 2 meals a day- breakfast and dinner- and breakfast is usually 1 weetbix with a smidgen of milk (loves it), about 2-3 tablespoons of natural greek style yoghurt, 1 prune, sometimes in the yoghurt, and some fruit.. so half an orange, or 2 slices of watermelon... something like that.... dinner is usually some meat- like a meat ball or rissole, or something... some vegetable... and some rice or toast or something. Sometimes a couple of slices of cheese. I make sure that it;s all low or no salt and sugar...
Sound right?

 
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 18, 2012, 12:51:29 pm
Wow sounds like he's eating quite a lot! Does that all go down? I don't think Sophia eats quite so much per meal but she has 3 meals a day most days....

Is it normal to still find lumps of undigested food in the poo? I find loads in Sophia's!
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 18, 2012, 12:53:50 pm
Oh and those salmon cakes sound good! Do you have a link to lemonthyme's blog?
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: londonlady on January 18, 2012, 16:16:28 pm
wow - does sound like loads... I wish Sofia would eat just 1 of those things in full...
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: beckygatt on January 18, 2012, 16:44:12 pm
Quick question - can honey be used in food before a year if it is cooked??
Title: Re: Baby Led Weaning Support Thread - Part 9
Post by: Buntybear on January 18, 2012, 19:35:21 pm
Hi, locking this thread as at 30 pages..

please continue over here...

http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=224254.0

 :)