Baby-Led Weaning Support Thread #1

[Bryony]

Thanks Cathy - I just spotted it and have printed it off.

Baking powder can have a range of different ingredients, but cream of tartar plus bicarb of soda would produce a basic baking powder. So you could try it with baking powder if you have some.  However I am not sure if the ratio is the same - worst case is that they might rise a bit too much I guess!

Bryony

[Freya'sMum]

Aleesa,

Eryn's appetite varies enormously, of late she's having minimal lunches and huge teas, and it's always been the same so I personally wouldn't worry too much... remember the BLW theory is that lo's regulate their dietary intake based on what they need, so if you can't explain it on the basis of illness, teeth, tiredness, distraction, then I guess she's just asserting her preferences !

Have you had Lily weighed recently, see if she's gaining still - if she is, then I'd say she's taking enough? How about posting your approximate Eat/Sleep schedule to see if there are any other possibilities we might've missed? Otherwise, I'm sure she'll pick the interest up again in the not-too-distant future! She's still really young in the grand scheme of things, there's really no rush!

Ax

[VickyB20]

Hi!  Just wanted to say that my boys are really enjoying finger foods but I can't really claim to be doing BLW at the moment.  I am still spoon-feeding them (am continuing to hope - probably in vain - that it will help them go through the night!) but I'm hoping to cut down on spoon-fed amounts and up the BLW foods.  They love to feed themselves so much!!!  Kayden has just sprouted two teeth too so that should help.

Yesterday I gave them dried pears (from Tesco).  They LOVED them!  Sweetcorn, cucumber and cooked carrots have proved popular too!

I guess I'll be lurking around this board for a while!

Vicky
x

[Freya'sMum]

Welcome! You'll get lots of encouragement here, tho it doesn't sound like your boys need it!

Ax

[Aly Mac]

Alison, I think w L alot has to do with timing...if she's tired, she won't eat much....and I'm probably giving her lunch just before her nap, so that may be it.  Bfast went well this morning as I gave it to her a bit early.

thanks for your help!

[Corinne's Mommy]

My LO finally started gumming things today!  She usually sucks on everything, so it was exciting to see her take bites and gum her pita and guacamole. I'm enjoying this process more each day- especially as her food choices become less selective.  Can't wait to try all of your great recipes- although I'm not much of a cook- so we'll see!     Just thought I would share! 

Ashlee

[Bryony]

Ashlee -that's fabulous!  Attagirl Corinne! 

Our Health Visitor gave me a really hard time yesterday about how little Katie was eating. She said I really *had* to start spoon feeding her. I really do disagree, but it left me feeling very inadequate       Katie is still on the 9th centile which is where she has always been since the day she was born, she looks very healthy and only has 5 BF's a day (dream feed but no other night feeds). So I think she must be doing OK.   Just rocks your confidence a bit. Sigh!

Bryony

[Cornish smiler]

Oh Bryony, I wish these HVs weren't like that.  They really should be supportive of us and some babies are at the bottom end of the centile (Sam is too as you may know) - they can't all be big babies can they.  Big hugs to you as you're doing the right thing by Katie no matter what your HV says.  Why would you want to be spoon feeding her - I know Sam won't eat anything (apart from yogurt/ice cream) from a spoon and just shoves it away.  He really wants to be feeding himself.

So don't feel inadequate - Katie is thriving by the sounds of it, she's healthy, happy and contended so ignore that stupid woman.  I'm lucky in that we have a young HV at the moment who is really supportive of BLW and is genuinely interested in how we're getting on, but will be getting a new one soon so let's hope she's not like yours.  I think the older ones don't understand the concept so well and want everything done by the  book iykwim.  Big snarl to that HV from me.

Ali x

[Aly Mac]

I know what you mean Bryony. We put our routines and food on our birth thread, and one of the bubs is having 10oz of cereal and fruit for bfast.  I thought it was a typo and she meant 1 oz...nope, she was right.  MInd you she is at daycare and not eating much (hasn't been there long)..  Really makes me feel like I"m not feeding her enough........ but she looks fine, is happy, hates teh spoon these days anyway,,,,and bf 4times a day...

hold in there girls!!! L could at least eat her bits of cheesy toast while we were shopping instead of me stopping and feeding her....shopping benefits...!

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Bryony - remember, milk is still really really really important - wait a sec - I just checked your ticker and your lo is not even 7 months old!!! Sorry to say but I don't agree with your HV AT ALL!!  Milk is not just really important right now, it remains the MOST important part of her diet.  So as long as she's getting enough milk, DON'T WORRY!  Solids are still mostly for practice and the calories she'd get from a couple of spoon fed calories are NOTHING compared to what she's getting from the milk.  Compare this: a Tbsp of carrot purree and few tsps of cereal versus a milk shake.  What will make you fatter??? 

Katie sounds like she's doing great! (You're HV on the other hand... )

[Bryony]

Thanks all!  Yes I know really that Katie is doing fine and she's getting 5 tummy fulls of mummy milk every day - but it did just rock my confidence a bit. Thank you for restoring it!  Katie won't have anything to do with a spoon either - she seals her lips and pushes it away. That's my girl...

Erin - good point about which makes you fatter - I need to remember the milkshake versus the carrot!

We are now at my parents' house in Cardiff. I bought a booster seat for Katie and she sat with us at lunch and munched on bits of the bread that we were eating with our soup.  My mum insisted on using the best lacy tablecloth though, which Katie's tinydiner mat wouldn't stick to, and so she amused herself by putting her hands through the lace and pulling it off. Somehow I suspect my mum might listen to me tomorrow that the lace tablecloth isn't the best plan!!

Bryony

[Lydiasmom]

Bryony - those cutesy chubby chops on your avatar don't look like they need a spoonful of mush to me!!

Lydia enjoyed stuffing bits of a mini Sunday lunch into her.  Sucked merrily on bits of roast chicken & veg.  Still unsure on what's going in but even if her grip is improving I'm happy!

Ali - I'm going to try your pizza recipe tomorrow, my mouth is watering, hope Lyd's does too!

Great news Ashlee, so exciting isn't it!

We are still at 2 'meals' a day, may try lunch in a couple of weeks, does that sound about right?

[Bryony]

Bryony - those cutesy chubby chops on your avatar don't look like they need a spoonful of mush to me!! 

     Good point!

We have just started lunch (our third meal) this week - mainly because Katie's nap times have changed so that her afternon nap isn't until 2pm - and I am usually starving by 1pm so it makes sense for me to eat my lunch then and for Katie to join me. So all a bit selfish I am afraid 

Bryony

[Freya'sMum]

Shame on that health visitor!

Feel free to print off the BLW FAQ sticky, and the Gill Rapley BLW summary found on at post #237 on page 16 of this thread, to take with you in case she repeats her ignorance next time you go!

So glad to keep reading that everyone's los are self-feeding so well - am very proud of them all for proving (yet again!) that the 'experts' aren't always right! I love it when the underdog/minority fights back and wins!

Ax

[Aly Mac]

Erin I like that analogy.  I am worrying about the amount she eats esp at lunch.  I've snuck in a few spoon feedings (shame on me) but just worried she's not eating enough.....will stop today.  Just that 10oz has really thrown me.  I just feel that she is eating less not more. mind you her bf is going really well - no biting for a couple of days. 

1. HOw long do you all give your lo's to eat their meal?  I'm sort of giving her half hour - main meal is about 20 or so meal, and if I'm giving fruit or desert, after that.  If no fruit/dessert, I give her the half hour.

2. do you put all the foods you would like her to eat on the table/mat/tray? Sometimes L looks confused and can't decide which ones to eat.  so I'mjust doing a couple at a time. is this right?

3. and probably for Alison, when do you introduce snacks?

TIA! off to do bfast now.