Baby-Led Weaning Support Thread #1

[grahamsmama]

I'm aware though that the stuff that they really properly eat is mainly wheat based stuff (apart from the oat cakes, of course).  How do I avoid that?  Fruit and veg tends to just slip out of their fingers.

I found a baby fork with a thick rubbery handle and rounded (not sharp) prongs and have been stabbing food on it and letting Meghan eat from that (like a popsicle).  Someone else suggested rolling the slippery stuff in wheat germ or baby cereal.  You could also try spreading fruit or veggies on the toast or oat cakes.  Like avocado or banana, something mushy or mixing it with the cheese. 
I'm going to try a safety feeder today and I'll let you know how it goes.  My dd #1 wasn't very into that, but we'll see if Meghan likes it.

[Lippy Chick]

Lotteloulou, it is really fascinating that people think they have the right to pass judgement on what we are doing.  You're the mother and know what's best for your child.  People around me are trying to be polite, but I think they think I'm totally mad for going down this route.  People think that the child needs puree for sustenance, which just isn't true.  Other people are really interested to see how we get on.  A few counties in the UK are starting to use it as their preferred method of weaning now, so it is getting out there.

Vicky, good for you for recognising your children's cues and following them.  Have you had a look at the recipe post?  I think when we get a bit more established I'll be raiding it for ideas.  My nursery nurse said that after 7 months you can give peanut butter, of course, only if there are no nut allergies in the family.  Maybe another idea for you.

Pauline 

[grahamsmama]

I tried the mesh safety feeder for dinner.  What a mess.  Totally not worth it, IMO.  She liked to suck on it, but mostly just ran it over her head, leaving banana in her hair.  It was way messier than just letting her eat with her hands.  I may use it for ice to entertain her at restaurants or for teething, but that's about it.  I know this isn't totally BLW, but I took the banana out of the feeder and used my finger like a spoon, letting her suck the banana off it.  She thought that was pretty fun. 

[lotteloulou]

I bought the safety feeder when charlie was about 5 months, what a waste of money she would only chew on the handle.

[Lippy Chick]

What are the safety feeders?

Today I think Alice took a few wee, tiny bits of banana.  She was mashing a bit in her mouth, gagged a bit and nothing came out, so assuming she swallowed it.  Is that basically how yours did it?  There was barely any mess at all and I was thinking, "wow this is so much better than yesterday", then I gave her some pear for lunch.  It's so slippy, it kept falling out of her hand and onto the floor.  We have a "falls on the floor, goes in the bin" policy.  It was way messier.  Probably do roast veggies next week.

Pauline

[Freya'sMum]

Safety feeders are kinda like the bags you put laundry powder tablets in when you use the washing machine but attached to a solid handle - you pop bits of food in and the mesh prevents los getting big lumps! I never used one and the reviews on here about success with them varies enormously - they don't really support the BLW process but do help some parents to relax about the lumps/choking thing!

Slippy fruit is tricky for new self-feeders, perhaps stick to more solid fruits and veggies until they get the hang of it eg. steamed carrot, parsnip, fine beans, baby corn, potato, apple sticks, and broccoli/cauliflower florets (built in handles ! More first foods ideas in the Finger Foods for Young Babies thread (post #1 has more like these),

Ax

[Bryony]

...broccoli/cauliflower florets (built in handles ! Ax

Yeah that's what I thought - but Katie prefers to pick them up by the frilly floret end and suck on the stalk end 

Bx

[grahamsmama]

Slippy fruit is tricky for new self-feeders, perhaps stick to more solid fruits and veggies until they get the hang of it eg. steamed carrot, parsnip, fine beans, baby corn, potato, apple sticks, and broccoli/cauliflower florets (built in handles !

Do you all cook the apple or just give them a raw piece.  Meghan happily chews on her apple, but it isn't cooked so nothing is coming off except juice.

[Bryony]

Lyn - I tried lightly cooking the apple, but it was too slippery for Katie to handle so now I give it to her raw. I know some people are worried about giving it raw as it's quite hard and may be a choking risk - I watch Katie closely! She used to ignore it, then suck on it, this week she has started knawing on it...

B

[Lippy Chick]

We have a load of pear for this week, so think I'll see it out and then next week do something different. I was thinking the same thing about whether to cook the apple or not.  I can't remember where I read it, but someone said that they roasted the vegetables for about 25 mins and that wasn't too squishy. Will certainly have a look at that thread.  Think I may roast a batch and freeze some of it and maybe have some of it for myself with couscous.

I kind of feel that most of our activity time is taken with Alice either feeding on milk or trying out solids.  Oh well, she'll last out longer soon I guess.

Pauline

[grahamsmama]

It's ok Pauline, at this age eating is a fun activity for them.  They're exploring!  Think of it as the equivalent of finger painting or something. 
Plus, we always have a "conversation" while we're eating too, so that's another good activity. Today I found myself playing peek-a-boo with Meghan while she was in her high chair, bending down so she couldn't see me and then popping up.  I have to be careful about encouraging her to laugh while she's eating. It was so cute though!

[mikiweiser]

the mesh feeder works really well for us with fruit.
lately adi has been taking bites of with his gums and then choking - argh...
and he has even vomitted up food after swallowing big pieves of brocken cookies and bread...
i've discovered that i can't feed him solids without constantly watching and puttin gmy fingers in
any advice?
he isn't chewing!!!!

miki

[Lippy Chick]

Today Alice just hasn't seemed interested at all.  I guess she'll have days when she just can't be bothered.  Less messy today though.  The pear wasn't very ripe, so it was easier to hold.  She seemed to suck on it for ages though.

Lyn, thanks for the encouragement.  Indeed, I was making Alice laugh just before bed last night and I was told off by husband for not helping calm her down right before bed    Oh well.

Miki, sorry can't help you, just starting out ourselves.

Pauline

[VickyB20]

Hi all.  Well we had a good lunchtime today.  I fried up some mushrooms then just as they were ready, put in the yolk of an egg (I read that yolk is ok from 6 months, but not the whites?!?).  Both the boys seemed to really like both the flavour and texture, so that was successful.  (That would be a good one to do on the days I have Ella at home for lunch too... a simple modification makes it an omelette for a toddler!)  They also then shared a fruit pot and a fromage frais.  Very non-BLW but I just can't resist trying spoons so I know how much they've eaten!!!  I wish I could just let go and trust them to eat what they need but they're not sleeping through yet and I live in hope that one day soon they'll eat enough during the day to get them through the night!

Regarding apples... I've found they take them well when peeled, cored and then sliced into rings (the opposite way to how you'd normally cut an apple, IYKWIM).  The hole in the middle seems to make them easier to hold.  Mostly they suck them but there are often little bits bitten off.  They have got two bottom teeth though, which helps I'm sure.

Going now to check out the finger foods for babies thread...

Vicky
x

[grahamsmama]

Vicky- cutting them into rings is a wonderful idea!!!  See, this is why I love this site, I would never have thought of that.   

So, I have a BLW question.  Is it "BLW" to do purees as a spread on toast?  Like, avocado dip or mashed carrots or something? 
Also, because Meghan doesn't have any teeth, I do leave some of the peel on her fruits to make them less slippy.  She had peach today, just cut in wedges with the peel still on.  She can hold that a lot better (she's using two hands) than without the skin. As soon as she starts biting off bits of peel, I'll stop it so she doesn't choke, but in the meantime...

Pauline- there are some days when Meghan doesn't want to eat at all.  No worries, she won't starve.