Baby-led Weaning

[Lisa&Isobel]

We are just starting to wean Isobel (6 months on May 29) and we're going down the baby-led weaning route (BLW). We were a bit nervous about choking at first but after reading books and going to the local talks on weaning and first aid we feel more confident about her being able to feed herself.
She hasn't started swallowing yet but she can pick up finger foods (carrot sticks, cucumber, rice cakes etc.) and get them to her mouth for a good gumming :) Sometimes she misses and puts food in her eyes but it doesn't seem to bother her and it's fascinating to watch!

We haven't started on messy stuff yet like porridge or stew but I'm looking forward to it all. We met friends and went for a picnic on Monday which was an ideal setting for Isobel, and baby Jacob, to join us in a finger feeding lunch - what fun! I'll post some photos if I can work out how!!!!!

I've never done the puree thing, although we have spoon fed her very runny baby rice, but I can highly recommend BLW even at this early stage. It seems so natural and much more fun than playing airoplane games with mushed carrot!

[tinkertoes]

I can (so far) heartily recommend the baby led weaning approach - we're about 2 weeks in and Jacob is an enthusiastic little eater of just about anything he can get his hands on!! Well I say eat - it's probably more a case of gumming, sucking thing at the moment but we have some unsavoury evidence that shows some food is now getting through. The book by Gill Rapley recommended by Chris (in the introduction thread...I'll go back and try add a link to it from here) is great -well worth a read even if you're not convinced by the approach there is a some really good advice on helping your little ones have a good attitude towards food. If you are interested but are finding there's not much support from your health visitor team - then there is loads in the book to help get some confidence to try it. I had thought I would go for a mixed approach with some purees - but after reading the book decided to just go for BLW... and so far very happy about it. Would love to hear from someone else that's further down the line with it too ....

[Amy&Daniel]

we could see if anyone was interested in a picnic to swap experiences and mange tout!!

Sounds like a great idea! Are we allowed to come even if we're not really BLWers? Where's a good spot for a picnic?

A

[tinkertoes]

Yeh, cool - more the merrier - just so long as you dont bring any purees :D !!! I just thought it would be fun for anyone that feels a bit out on a limb with the blw - to have a chance to meet others and build up some confidence.

As for good places... I dont know the area too well yet or whether there are any great picnic venues. Riverside in Ilkley or Otley - or one of the parks?

[Kirsty&Felix]

Bolton Abbey? My dog loves it when Felix eats finger foods!

[Fatrascal]

Ooh that sounds like a good idea. I was down at Ilkley riverside yesterday and it was lovely, and lots of trees to hide under for us pale skinned ones!

Izzy doing well so far on the BLW front, although we've just gone through a week of her being very constipated. Not nice. I think it could be because she's starting to swallow more and more, and her digestive system isn't quite up to it yet. She has developed a taste for fresh apricots which I'm hoping will help move things along a bit and maybe counter her penchant for cheese!

[Diane]

Hi, Isak and I are also trying to go down the BLW route, av had to puree his evening meal though cos he was BF'ing every hour and it was tiring me out. Isak really loves his morning toast and although we are only 2 weeks in, I noticed some seeds in his poo, so some must be getting through already. I have not done anything too messy yet, but I load up rice cakes with all the purees I had made (aka Annabel Karmel) and then sit back and marvel as Isak sucks and slurps the purees off.

Am I too late to join your picnic?

[Diane&Rose]

Hi all - just saying hello, I am planning to do BLW with rose but she is only 4 months, so I will be preparing by lurking here a bit to see how you all get on! I have read the Gill Rapley book and it sounds like a very sensible way to proceed. Wishing you all luck with the process!

[Amy&Daniel]

Erm, it is becoming apparent (much to my annoyance as I quite like the purees), that Daniel refuses to be fed with a spoon but would much rather smear the food all over his face on the off chance that some of it lands in his mouth!

This evening, we had Brussels pate (coarse) on bread (French) and brie (SmartPrice from Asda). He loved it. Tried to feed him puree before, during and after - NO WAY mummy! I'm doing fine here just on my own, thank you!

I'd better read this book! Anyone else having the same problem? (And finding that pate smeared over your face makes it a bit red?)

A

[Jess&Frank]

Hi all - just saying hello, I am planning to do BLW with rose but she is only 4 months, so I will be preparing by lurking here a bit to see how you all get on! I have read the Gill Rapley book and it sounds like a very sensible way to proceed. Wishing you all luck with the process!

Hello! Welcome to MoorMums! Feel free to start new threads about 4-month related stuff rather than letting these 6-monthers hog the site with their BLW chat! ;)

Hope you enjoy the site. Please get in touch (http://www.moormums.co.uk/forum/sendmessage.php) if there is anything you'd like to see on the site or if you would like to contribute - we are looking for birth stories and reviews of baby carriers at the moment.

Best wishes

Jess

[tinkertoes]

So.. picnic it is then - now the interesting bit finding times/days when people can make it. I'm happy to try and coordinate if people can let me know approx availability (or when you definitely cant make it - if that's easier ... ) perhaps by private message if you prefer. Will try and find something that suits as many people as possible but am unlikely to find a date that works for everyone - so please dont be offended if it ends up being at a time you cant make. :) If you can let me know within the next week - then we can get something sorted.

Will Moor mums put the time on the site when we get one?

In terms of location - not sure what everyone's transport situation is. I'm sure there could be some lift sharing if needed. But feel free to let me know of any limitations. I guess now the weather looking more typical - we should ideally head for somewhere with an amenable cafe close by. At the mo Bolton Abbey and Ilkley Riverside park have been suggested.

Look forward to hearing from anyone that's interested!

[Jess&Frank]

Sounds fab! Yes, if you send them through (http://www.moormums.co.uk/forum/sendmessage.php), I'll put the details on the events calendar.

Presumably, this is also open to those considering BLW?? - if they have younger babies.

Also, I did wonder if you would like to invite someone from the Otley health visiting team as they are so pro-BLW? Or is that too much like inviting the teacher to a night out?

Is there a place with lots of picnic tables on the Otley Chevin? Although there is no cafe near there (I don't think).

How exciting!!

J

[Ruth&Arthur]

Hello all - its great to hear about other people's BLW experiences as I've not met anyone else doing it. My little boy is now 9 months old and we started BLW at 6 months after reading the Gill Rapley book. I would certainly recommend it to anyone considering this approach to weaning as it has been really enjoyable and unstressful. Arthur has recently moved on from the 'playing' stage and I was delighted when he gobbled up half a (small!) jacket potato with tuna mayo and cheese the other day! Admittedly it is pretty messy but we deal with this by covering him with a SillyBillyz bib and placing an old tablecloth (courtesy of Ebay) under his highchair and having a stash of cheap flannels to hand for wiping him and then the highchair - the whole lot can go in the wash then. He really seems to enjoy his food and apart form some houmous which turned out to have chilli in it, he has never refused anything. It was particularly helpful when we went on holiday to Portugal as he just ate what we did - I was so relieved we didn't need to listen to an in-law's advice to take a weeks supply of shop bought purees and baby foods in our luggage.
The picnic idea sounds lovely - would love to come if not at work.

[tinkertoes]

Hi there again - sorry for delay! We're looking at tuesday 21st July... which hopefully gives people enough notice. Location still to be confirmed - but this lovely website have promised to put up all the details as soon as it's sorted. Trying to find somewhere that also offers shelter in case of rain!

Everyone welcome - blw'ers or not... and any aged babies - seasoned weaners or those who are only just starting to think about how they would like to wean. watch this space.... !