Baby-Led Weaning Support Thread #1

[Bryony]

Well we've had our first few attempts at Katie feeding herself with a spoon - see photographic evidence below!  We had fromage frais EVERYWHERE.  On the walls, floor, Katie's hair, my hair... you name it!  I think a small amount *might* have made it into her tummy though and she seemed to enjoy it.

I'm a very tidy person who hates mess so I am struggling a bit with not getting freaked out - we do messy food for breakfast (before Katie gets dressed) or tea (just before her bath), and I am trying to regard it as fun so that we don't get an issue about it (for either of us). But it's quite hard!!

We are still getting so little food swallowed - those of you with older LOs. at what age did you feel they really started "eating" rather than just sucking on stuff?  I am now a bit more chilled about it - I figure that Katie is getting her calories from her milk and the experience of different tastes and textures from sucking and playing with solid food. But I would really like to drop the DF and understand that this should not be until solids are "established".   That will be when she's about 2 years old at this rate 

I will definitely make some sausages at the weekend - last weekend we had Katie's 3 year old cousin and family to stay, and they made a meatloaf as the cousin likes this - and Katie tried some and seemed to enjoy it.  So I thought it would be good to make something similar in shapes that she can pick up, as it would be good to try and get some iron into her.

Bryony x

[Aly Mac]

so cute bryony!   I have not been this brave.  agree on the bfast and dinner - i try to keep lunch food less messy.

L had some musshy food too, so not real sure what age, but prob around the 7-8month mark where at least a decent amount seem to goin.

[Cathy_D]

Love the pic, Bryony!

You've inspired me to upload one of Anna's 1st encounter with solids last week.

We are still practicing with a spoon - she happily holds it, shoves it in her mouth and chews it, but with nothing on the end!  I try to imagine where yoghurt would go if there were any one it. Once she gets past the point of regularly sticking it in her eye, I might try actually letting her have something on the spoon ... I doubt that will be terribly soon 

[evanskimberley]

I'm here to join in!

Decided to do a bit of BLW as Sophie doesn't drink her 'quota' of milk so was worried about forcing too much solids into her by spoon feeding. I have a toddler and have school runs to do twice a day around lunch time so I will be doing a mixture I think.

Sophie had a rusk to start with and loved it! she's really good with the hand eye coordination thing. She had a banana yesterday and wasn't so keen, but we'll keep trying! This weekends job is to get the highchair cleaned and assembled so we can put a variety on her tray for her to choose from.

[Bryony]

Kimberley - welcome!!

Cathy - love the pic, also your avatar is so cute!

Bryony x

[Cathy_D]

Kimberly - Hi! Nice to see you here!

Bryony - It was her first outing in the backpack and she loved it.

Everyone - Just seen our HV who was fine about BLW (hurrah!!) but seems to think I ought to get beyond just fruit and veg and onto protein rather sooner than I was planning to.  She recommends lentils.  I can honestly say I have NEVER cooked anything with lentils in it in my life, and am slightly struggling to think of a way that they could be turned into finger food. Any suggestions?

I was assuming we would do several weeks of just fruit and veg in their individual forms before I got onto 'cooking' mixtures of things for Anna, and that meat and fish would get incorporated at that point. Not sure why I thought that, though.  Am I OK to stick with individual fruits and veggies for several more weeks (say till she's at least 7 months?) or should I be getting meat and 'mixtures' introduced before then?

[Freya'sMum]

Cathy,

It's not about 'shoulds' really... not sure why your HV is pushing the early introduction of proteins, did she give you a nutritional reason? Anyway, lentils could be made into burgers, but I reckon you'd need to combine them with egg, onion, maybe grated carrot and apple too, so if you don't want to mix foods yet, and haven't tried Anna on some of these ingredients, perhaps you want to wait a bit longer?

It really is up to you... Eryn was on fruits, veggies, carbs and grains for ages, her first proteins were cooked turkey ham and double gloucester cheese but not until around 8-9 months at least - but then my HV was advocating trying her on any food that she would eat (chocolate pudding, wotsits, skips, quavers ) - the pure BLW approach would say that you can offer literally anything and that baby will innately know what to eat and what not to based on his body's nutritional needs!

HTH a bit?

As for when they actually begin to eat the food they're gnawing on, I think it can take as little as a week (look at Sam!) or up to a couple of months so Bryony, don't worry if Katie takes a while, babies have a survival instinct, they'll let you know if they're hungry, so she must still be getting enough of what she needs!

Ax

[Corinne's Mommy]

Cathy- I've had Corinne eating fruits, veggies and carbs for a long time and haven't given much thought to meat yet.  Guess I should start thinking about it too.  I guess I just keep thinking about how Milk is the main source of nutrition for our little ones at this age (Corinne is only 6.5 months) and so I haven't worried too much about what she's eating, just as long as she's getting the hang of feeding herself.  I read on one BLW website that meat can be introduced by giving a big chunk of it ( a whole chicken breast) and letting them suck the juices out of it.  That presents such a funny image, and seems like such a waste!  I think I'll start with the sausage recipe that everyone raves about!

[Bryony]

Cathy - Katie has sucked on a chunk of chicken breast but didn't seem all that interested. The other protein source we've been doing is cheese, which Katie likes. But I haven't really been thinking / worrying about protein intake

Bryony

[Aly Mac]

chicken was one of the first for L.  she loves it. talking to my mums group friends it's pretty popular.  I think it might be easier to digest than beef.  I normally buy a hot chicken at the supermarket, and she has some of that.

[Cornish smiler]

John did us a stirfry last night with chicken and vegs, bless him, and Sam loved it.  Only problem is we paid the price this morning as there was a very nasty explosion in the engine room iykwim  - I've never seen John leave for work so quickly!!!!  Sorry for that, but I just felt I needed to share it with people who understand! 

Sam definitely prefers chicken to beef, he also likes turkey, ham and sausages.  I try to get the lowest salt content meat I can, and it isn't until you look at the packet that you realise how much salt is in our products.  Scarey isn't it.  I hadn't thought of getting a hot chicken at the supermarket Aleesa - you may lead me astray hehehe!

Have a good day everyone.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I finally introduced cheese!  I was waiting due to allergy concerns (2 of her uncles are lactose intolerant) - I'm still going to limit it a bit and not give straight cow's milk. But she LOVED it - I made baked broccoli and cauliflower in a cheese sauce.  She shoveled it in - it was really cute! Now if only her sister would be as cooperative....

[Bryony]

Well the stir fry and the cheese both sound like real successes!

Today we took Katie to the local pub for lunch. I ordered a side order of steamed veg which she sucked on, and she ate one of DH's chips    I was very proud of her sitting in the high chair (which was WAAYYY to big for her) munching on her lunch while DH and I enjoyed a meal and a natter 

Bryony

[Cornish smiler]

Oh, had a great day with Sam and he actually had seconds today  !!  One of my made up meals which I'm not sure if I should put on recipes because it may have food in which some more allergic babies shouldn't have.  What do you think Alison?

Sam's favourite pasta sauce
Onions
Garlic
Mushrooms
Aubergine
Tinned tomatoes
Courgette
Spinach
Fromage frais
Sundried tomato paste

If you think it's OK to post, then I'll do it on recipes but don't want to cause any bother for babies with less resilient sytems than young Samuel!

I was so proud seeing him eat it and he didn't drop a thing on the floor, although his lap was slightly splattered as was the highchair!!!  His face had sundried tomato type stains all over it but he was a happy little man who went straight in the bath afterwards. 

[Aly Mac]

WEll done Sam, Sam and Katie!!!!

DD is not eating much at the mo. Teething I think is happening big time as having lots of nap and sleep probs (as Bryony knows.....)