Preparing for weaning

[michaeljacknnugg]

Ooh, good to know! I need one for the change bag.

[creations]

Oh aren't those adorable!!!!! Really lovely design!

You know me, always the bargain hunter, not as pretty as the bibs above but I got very similar (flexible plastic not PUL) bib from the £ shop, they were great.  I'd totally forgotten about it until I saw that link.

Great to hear he's enjoying his first tastes - isn't it exciting

[cath~]

Well we have started and he is loving it!

yay

[cath~]

I got similar bibs from John Lewis for DD2 and they were great.

Like this, but a different design:
http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-baby's-noah's-ark-terry-bibs-pack-of-two-multi/p1837413

(They are selling a few different designs ATM).

 When she outgrew then we switch to one of those scoopy bibs.

[michaeljacknnugg]

Thanks Cath, I'll look out for that.

It's amazing to watch, it really is. Tonight I made sweet corn fritters (pulsed everything, bit leery of big bits atm) and he was just picking up bits, chewing and swallowing. I didn't expect chewing to come so quickly. Granted I'm giving him soft stuff for now, but wow, I'm blown away. All this fuss about lumpy food when you go down the purée route and bingo, with BLW all you do is hand them a mini pancake. Job done.

[creations]

haha! yes it really IS amazing isn't it?
I saw a good few LOs struggling with lumps or mashed food when DS was a toddler, they were still on puree beyond 12 months, it was such a struggle for the parents. And yes, hand them a bit of finger food and they just eat it
I'm so pleased to hear you sounding so positive and enjoying this experience.

I just noticed on another thread you mentioned meat, not sure if anyone covered that here or not, so I wanted to say chicken breast (maybe those mini fillets as you could freeze raw in individual bags then defrost one at a time when needed) boiled is nice and soft. I know boiled doesn't sound all that appetising but it stays so moist, we cook it this way for the grown ups too as it is so moist.  If you used a full chicken fillet I would suggest slicing into strips before cooking as that helps to ensure it is cooked all the way through - it is super fast too, much quicker than other methods.
I think your DH eats meat, if I'm right, then so long as it is not highly processed and salty it is fine to offer LO some. My DS had roast beef in a pub lunch place at 6 months. I took steamed veggies with us so that I wasn't giving him veg cooked with salt etc but he got the meat from my mum and very happily gummed at it until there was just a strip of gristly fatty stuff remaining.
Slow cooked lamb shank was another big hit with DS, very soft but pieces big enough to pick up and get to his mouth.
In fact mine was not a meat lover and still isn't really, but certain things he does enjoy. I use beans and lentils to up his protein.

[michaeljacknnugg]

Therein lies the problem; I think we have too much processed/quick meaty stuff as we tend to do a main that's common and meat on the side. I could do chicken and look up some lamb shank stuff, thanks. Maybe a roast chicken, too.

DH has promised to make him fish cakes!

[Scottishmummy]

Sounds like he's doing great- could you share your recipe for homemade baked beans?

Fish is a good protein stand by. I buy frozen white fish or salmon fillets which cook in the microwave in 3-4 mins. I give DD a chunk and she'll happily gum it. It is soft, moist and flakes off nicely for her.

[michaeljacknnugg]

How do you check for bones, SM? And that it's properly cooked? Without eating/tasting it yourself, that is.

Here's the recipe: http://babyledfeeding.com/recipes/baked-beans-refined-sugar-free-salt-free/

[Scottishmummy]

I buy boneless fillets and trust the supermarket! (Perhaps naively!)
I usually cut a piece off the fillet to give to her and then can see whether it looks properly cooked. It should be a solid colour- if it's at all translucent I give it a bit longer.
DD loves it & gets a good amount too, more than she does from chicken pieces,

Thanks for bean recipe, will give it a try
Xxx

[michaeljacknnugg]

I've fallen in love with my microwave steamer today!

Baby had strips of steamed organic chicken for dinner and it was SO quick. The others tried it too and pronounced it good, so another idea for non-processed meat-on-the-side family meals. I'm using BLW as a learning process.

But oh, the mess atm! And every meal takes so long!!!

[creations]

I also found every meal took a long time. Initially it was all we did in A time!!  Around 45-60 min eating so there wasn't much time for anything else really once you've done the milk, nappy, got the food out, then clearing away...at times mine was so tired I had to whizz him straight to bed for his nap.
I remember a point where I realised thought that although we had very little play time he was still learning a huge amount about the world by exploring his food.

The chicken sounds lovely   I don't use a microwave but do find boiled or steamed on the hob is very nice too. And thumbs up to non-processed meats

[cath~]

although we had very little play time he was still learning a huge amount about the world by exploring his food

indeed - and to LOs at this age, and especially with BLW, they probably don't see the distinction between "play time" and "meal time" as much as older kids and adults do, or even at all! It's just a new kind of "play" which happens to involve putting things in your mouth

[michaeljacknnugg]

Yes, totally understand that. As we have a separate dining room and I can't leave him, it means I am kinda tied to the dining table. Unless someone else is with him, of course.

[michaeljacknnugg]

I made these today, really nice.

http://www.feedingfinn.com/carrot-apple-muffins-no-added-sugar/

Baby ate about half an adult-sized muffin, in the middle of the afternoon!