Baby-Led Weaning Support Thread #2

[lovedtodeath]

Bryony, I was told Jake should be 9 months old before taking away any milk feeds. I was planning 8 months because we will be traveling, but it looks like I need to back off on the solids. His digestive system just isn't normal (neither is mine).

I really trust the site in this link. mother-2-mother samplemenus It says at least 5 milk feeds in 24 hours until they are 9 months old, and then down to 4 until they are 11 months.

This link should help you, but 10 months shows up in 2 categories, so you still have to figure it out on your own  babywhisperer routines for solids and BF

Jake is 6 per day and one in the middle of the night, when he is on a good (for him) schedule. Every once in a while I notice he is drinking less after lunch, but now I am cutting down on solids again, so I can't cut that one for a while.

[lovedtodeath]

I am not doing strictly BLW and Jake is so much younger than Katie, I don't know why I replied to that! I realized I didn't need to after I did all that work on it, so I am leaving it there

About the book idea; I am wondering if we are allowed to publish anything that appears on these boards. It may be the property of The Baby Whisperer.

[MJMom]

Pauline- I agree with lovedtodeath.  It's not like there can only be one "finger food" book out there!

[Bryony]

thanks lovedtodeath, that's really helpful 

sounds like you have it all worked out ready for Jake!

Bryony x

[Lippy Chick]

Hazel,

How did you transition to 3 bottles a day?  Did you do it cold turkey (so to speak)?  So does she have her solids first then the bottle and was she around 9 months?  How do you feel the change went?  Sorry so many questions, I'm thinking about the next stage and needing to feel prepared, as ever.

About the book.  There is a finger foods for babies and toddlers out there.  It's by Jennie Maizels.  I guess if Gill's book doesn't have recipes in it, then we could go down that route and do a Baby-led weaning recipe book, with Gill's permission.  I haven't actually come up with anything, because we're still at the mushy veg and fruit stage.  Saying that she had French toast (without the ketchup and maple syrup) today and loved it.  She hadn't pooed since yesterday, so didn't eat very much.  She had oven chips tonight and seemed to like those too (had pooed by then).  I guess just saying this is what your baby can eat and it's OK not to feed purees solely, is good.

Also, I think the recipes belong to you if you have made it up, it doesn't matter if you have put it on this website.  Even if something is unpublished, but I have written it, the copyright belongs to me.  Ideas are different, they're fair game; unfortunately.

So not sure what to think about the book.

Pauline

[Lippy Chick]

Forgot to ask.

Does anyone have any ideas if it's OK to freeze French toast?  I think it might be a good going out type food, as it's not too messy.  You see, already thinking a chapter, called "going out type foods".  How sad am I? 

Pauline

[Freya'sMum]

Pauline,

Just replied to this other post, thought the response might be relevant

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=109828.0

btw, I don't think you could use the Famous Sausage Recipe in the book, because I kinda stole it from another babyfood author ,

Ax

[lovedtodeath]

I know it is ok to freeze french toast but the texture may not be the best.

[DJs mummy]

Pauline - to be honest if Hannah had been more interested in her bottles we may not have gone down to 3 bottles when we did.  It was just always hard to fit in a bottle around 3, dinner at 5 and then bottle at bedtime.  She just couldn't eat that much in so few hours.  Once we moved to 3 bottles she continued taking about the same total amount of milk each day as she had done before anyway, she was just 'happier'. 
We did go cold turkey.  For the first week or so I did worry a lot that she was going a long time without milk (7am - 1pm), but now I don't give it a second thought.  She's happy with the routine now so that's what counts.  I think she's quite a small eater, because some days I can't even get her to have any kind of snack mid morning.  So some days she goes from 8.30 am til midday with little more than a few sips of water     Seems a long time when I compare her to my DS who was an endless pit.

[lovedtodeath]

BLW guidelines

From the above: "Continuing to feed 'on demand' will have the added advantage of allowing the baby to decide how and when to cut down his breast milk intake. As he eats more at shared mealtimes, so he will 'forget' to ask for some of his breastfeeds, or will feed for less long at a time. There is no need for his mother to make these decisions."

Of course, being on a scedule as a babywhisperer changes this a bit, guess it is just a reminder to listen to the baby.

We are getting back on track for naps, but feedings are still all over the place. Starting solids coincided with Kindergarten and viruses, plus he never eats solids consistently, so nursing is not consistent either. As long as naps and bedtime sort themselves out, I think I will be happy.

[VickyB20]

Interesting that the 'how many milk feeds' question has come up.  I often feel frowned at that my babies 'still' get so much milk.  They have 3 formula feeds now (after am nap, before pm nap and in the middle of the night) amounting to about 20ozs.  They also get two breastfeeds (on waking and at bedtime), which I feel are really good, substantial feeds.  But that's what they want to do so I have to go with the flow!  Since they're still waking up hungry in the night, I don't feel confident about cutting down their daily milk intake for fear that we'd just end up with another night waking.

They haven't been eating much the last couple of days although Brynley has picked up a bit.  They had Morroccan meatballs with giant cous cous the other night!  (I regret to say that it was a 'ready meal', although a good quality organic one.  I just didn't have the energy to cook!)  They were really intrigued with the meatballs - first time they'd had lamb - and the cous cous was great fun to chase around their trays!!

Vicky
x

[lovedtodeath]

Wow. In my circles when they wean from the breast/formula at 12 months(and some don't) They replace it with about 15-20 oz of cow or soy milk. And I am continually reminded that milk is to be baby's MAIN (and could be the only) source of nutrition for 12 months. (of course milk alone won't work for me--he is 25 lbs and one hungry boy!) Before coming here, I never knew there was pressure to cut down milk feeds. It is funny how there are such contrasting views.

[lovedtodeath]

Jake is eating Rice Krispies with soy milk out of my bowl and saying MMM  MMMM  He heard the popping and made a grab for it. I hope the soy milk is ok. He loves rice krispies..they are harder for him to pick up dry.

[elliesmama]

hi.  do  you mind if i join in?  i haven't started BLW yet but am really interested in it.  I started my lo on solids last week--sweet potatoes and oat cereal after her morning BF.  She was 5 1/2 mos.  She has no teeth yet so I'm not sure what to do for BLW and how to start and when to feed her etc.  She's on a 4 hour routine and is still eating lots at her BFs.  I've been amazed since starting solids that she eats as much as she does.  Her morning BF is huge and then she'll eat 3-4 bites of cereal and a jar of sweet potato.  But that's all I give her for the day.  Any tips for transitioning to BLW?  Thanks. 

[MJMom]

My DD at 8 mos still has no teeth.  This did not stop her from eating a whole banana yesterday and a half a pear yesterday.  I mean... a half a freaking pear!!!  Unbelievable what you can gum down if you're motivated! 
Teeth are not a requirement.