Hi gals,
Ali, yes, we've been experimenting with BLW. You're right - he does seem to prefer his veggies in 'whole' form, for the most part. However, just yesterday and today he took sweet potato puree, and even pea puree! I've discovered he quite likes cucumber, munching away on the soft seeds.
I always start with whole food - cut up pears, veggies etc., - which actually gives me time to prepare other/more food for my older son, then once I sit down to eat/join the table, I'll try a few spoons of puree.
Creations, I tried whole squash the other day. The first round he dug right in... however 'left-overs' at the second meal didn't go quite as well, and he's turned up his nose at it the next offering too. Ah well. I'll try that again another time. Asparagus is a GREAT option! As are green and yellow beans. They don't 'break' quite the way other veggies like carrots do when steamed so he can gnaw away at them.
I have tried mixing some pear with veggies, and that has worked sometimes, but I think the key is also to space out his solids. Giving him solids an hour after BF didn't allow him to work up enough of an appetite, so he could 'refuse' most foods quite happily. When he's hungry, he certainly is more open to trying whatever I've got for him.
I really like the idea of BLW, and I'm exploring with it and seeing the benefits of different textures for my little guy, knowing he really likes to 'be in charge'... lol. When I'm a little pushed for time, or I'm out, I'm glad he'll take some pureed foods though. It's a good balance for me at the moment.
We've managed quite well down to 2 naps a day now! Yesterday was a 3 nap day, but we haven't done that in quite a while, but he's teething at the moment and we had an EW. I'm working with Tracey's 'observation' routine on page 38 and found this works well for us.
Thanks for the encouragement ladies... his naps are extending beautifully too now. Creations, you'll be thrilled to hear that he goes at LEAST an hour and 15 now, but more often sleeps for an hour and a half, and sometimes I'll even get an hour and 45 min!! YEEHAW! Far cry from 4 months ago!! I'm so relieved!
I just keep speaking my new mantra: Every day gets easier and easier...
Chat soon! xx