Baby Led Weaning
- Thread starter skatty
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Just wanted to say what a fab thread this is! As Debs is only 7 1/2 weks old, I haven't really started to think about weaning yet, but I think I was naturally planning on following BLW. We're all a bit tubby in mine/OH's family, so I want to get her used to eating to appetite only, which I think BLW will do. Plus as she is already a booby baby, it will hopefully reduce her chances of being too fat lol.
Skatty - for the allergies thing, if you have them then how long are you supposed to avoid potential allergens for? I'm allergic to gluten, nuts, dairy, seeds and egg. I'd read somewhere that avoiding these foods until one year was best, so I'm hoping to do that. I have a pretty good diet, but it doesn't include soya which you're not good with.
Thanks again, great thread!
Skatty - for the allergies thing, if you have them then how long are you supposed to avoid potential allergens for? I'm allergic to gluten, nuts, dairy, seeds and egg. I'd read somewhere that avoiding these foods until one year was best, so I'm hoping to do that. I have a pretty good diet, but it doesn't include soya which you're not good with.
Thanks again, great thread!
Do any of your baby's choke while feeding themselves?
I'm hesitant to let Finlay feed himself because due to his reflux, he has a strong gag reflex. Usually when he gags he'll bring up (often projectile) everything he's swallowed in the past couple of hours
Are they any guidelines related to this?
Izzy
I'm hesitant to let Finlay feed himself because due to his reflux, he has a strong gag reflex. Usually when he gags he'll bring up (often projectile) everything he's swallowed in the past couple of hours
Are they any guidelines related to this?
Izzy
Izzy - during most feeds Otis does choke a wee bit but always coughs it back up, obviously I do worry but that's the thing with BLW you have to let your baby decide for themselves and learn.
I've also found that Otis isn't eating as much as before - I use to give Otis roughly mashed up foods mainly, still I'm sure that if he is hungry he'll eat, in the meantime I'll just keep servering up his meals!!!! However he does love his fruit
I've also found that Otis isn't eating as much as before - I use to give Otis roughly mashed up foods mainly, still I'm sure that if he is hungry he'll eat, in the meantime I'll just keep servering up his meals!!!! However he does love his fruit
Thea had a moment when she tried to stuff all the rusk she was eating into her mouth and it made her sick. Other than that we havent really had any choking incidents. Apart from when daddy tried to spoon feed her something.
Hi girls 
Gingerpig, Leorah is intolerant of milk and soy so I avoid these in my diet and will avoid giving them to Leorah too but everything else I have decided to see how it goes. So far the only thing that has caused any concern is yesterday Leorah had some fresh tomato which she gummed for a minute max and then put down and she went a little red around the mouth. I think it may have been too acidic but the fact she left it makes me lean towards believing babies will tend to avoid things that aren't going to agree with them if left to their own devices. Here is a link to sequence of foods for allergy risk babies:
http://www.hallpublications.com/title2_sample2.html
I would definitely do some more research as you have full blown allergies, you can get a lot of good advice here, these women are a mine of information. I think with so many allergies it may even be recommended that you wait 2 years. Could you see specialist to be on the safe side?
http://www.babywhisperer.com/smf/index.php?board=62.0
As regards to the gagging, Leorah has done this a few times but basically just spits out everything in her mouth. It also usually happens when she stuffs too much in but also I find some times bread or dried fruit will get stuck to the top of her mouth so she will cough to get it out. The advice is to not panic and let them deal with it as they are not choking, if they see you panicking then they could too panic. All babies gag and it's even more common in babies that go from smooth puree to having lumps. Of course if your baby can't breath or cry and is turning blue then they are choking but this is very unlikely to happen as that is why babies have a gag reflex. Here is a link from the BLW site about gagging and choking.
http://babyledweaning.blogware.com/blog/TheGaggingThing
Izzy Leorah also has reflux and sometimes it seems her whole feed comes up
I have found she hardly sicks up any of her solids at all though sometimes can smell strawberries or garlic in her milk 
The timing of when to gve her solids is so hard as I don't want her to drink less milk but she gets really tired with the weaning as it takes a lot of concentration so I can't leave it a few hours after a milk feed, just 1½ hours at the most. I am sure it will get better as time goes on, practice makes perfect Perhaps that is also why Otis doesn't sem to be eating as much Daggers? I think it is quite tiring for them as they have to use a lot of coordination to feed themselves.
Melanie, do rusks contain milk? Do they help Thea when she's teething? We are praying a tooth is on the way, Leorah's nose and mouth are running like a tap and she cried in her sleep all night last night, waking once with her I need medicine cry (yes she has a cry for medicine my poor baby
) On the plus side she seems to handle the teething much better in the day and I am sure BLW has helped this as her hand /mouth coordiantion is great now so she'll always find something to bite on. The baby safe feeders are still so handy for putting frozen things in, totally recommend them to all
Sorry for such a long post, Leorah amazed our visitors yesterday by chomping on garlic and herb chicken and sundried tomato ciabatta yesterday and then had a fit when one of them dared try and feed her a strawberry, she doesn't need help thank you very much!!!
Gingerpig, Leorah is intolerant of milk and soy so I avoid these in my diet and will avoid giving them to Leorah too but everything else I have decided to see how it goes. So far the only thing that has caused any concern is yesterday Leorah had some fresh tomato which she gummed for a minute max and then put down and she went a little red around the mouth. I think it may have been too acidic but the fact she left it makes me lean towards believing babies will tend to avoid things that aren't going to agree with them if left to their own devices. Here is a link to sequence of foods for allergy risk babies:
http://www.hallpublications.com/title2_sample2.html
I would definitely do some more research as you have full blown allergies, you can get a lot of good advice here, these women are a mine of information. I think with so many allergies it may even be recommended that you wait 2 years. Could you see specialist to be on the safe side?
http://www.babywhisperer.com/smf/index.php?board=62.0
As regards to the gagging, Leorah has done this a few times but basically just spits out everything in her mouth. It also usually happens when she stuffs too much in but also I find some times bread or dried fruit will get stuck to the top of her mouth so she will cough to get it out. The advice is to not panic and let them deal with it as they are not choking, if they see you panicking then they could too panic. All babies gag and it's even more common in babies that go from smooth puree to having lumps. Of course if your baby can't breath or cry and is turning blue then they are choking but this is very unlikely to happen as that is why babies have a gag reflex. Here is a link from the BLW site about gagging and choking.
http://babyledweaning.blogware.com/blog/TheGaggingThing
Izzy Leorah also has reflux and sometimes it seems her whole feed comes up
I have found she hardly sicks up any of her solids at all though sometimes can smell strawberries or garlic in her milk The timing of when to gve her solids is so hard as I don't want her to drink less milk but she gets really tired with the weaning as it takes a lot of concentration so I can't leave it a few hours after a milk feed, just 1½ hours at the most. I am sure it will get better as time goes on, practice makes perfect Perhaps that is also why Otis doesn't sem to be eating as much Daggers? I think it is quite tiring for them as they have to use a lot of coordination to feed themselves.Melanie, do rusks contain milk? Do they help Thea when she's teething? We are praying a tooth is on the way, Leorah's nose and mouth are running like a tap and she cried in her sleep all night last night, waking once with her I need medicine cry (yes she has a cry for medicine my poor baby
) On the plus side she seems to handle the teething much better in the day and I am sure BLW has helped this as her hand /mouth coordiantion is great now so she'll always find something to bite on. The baby safe feeders are still so handy for putting frozen things in, totally recommend them to all Sorry for such a long post, Leorah amazed our visitors yesterday by chomping on garlic and herb chicken and sundried tomato ciabatta yesterday and then had a fit when one of them dared try and feed her a strawberry, she doesn't need help thank you very much!!!
The rusks I buy here are made by HIPP organics. The say the are suitable for babies who are lactose intolerant if that's any good to you Katt. I know there is another company in england who make them like that too but i cant remember the name right now. Im pretty sure Farleys rusks contain milk though.
Thea seems to like them to chomp on for her gums more than anything else but she always has a bog smile on her face while she is doing it lol.
Thea seems to like them to chomp on for her gums more than anything else but she always has a bog smile on her face while she is doing it lol.
Skatty, thanks so much for that! I've printed off the first link and will definitely be visiting the forum you suggest! So helpful 
I am going to try and see a specialist - apparently there isn't one in Berkshire, but I was told by a nutritionist in hospital that I can demand to see one further afield, which I will be doing. Thanks again.
I am going to try and see a specialist - apparently there isn't one in Berkshire, but I was told by a nutritionist in hospital that I can demand to see one further afield, which I will be doing. Thanks again.Tina & Gabs
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Hey Girls
Looks like all your little ones are doing brilliantly!
I am doing a bit of a mixture of feeding as I started Gabriella on baby rice and purees from about 5 months but she is also able to feed herself mini sandwiches, banana, red pepper and lots of other bits but I would really like some inspiration for some other foods to feed.
Could we maybe do a list of food ideas that people are trying/giving to their babies??
I'll post some piccies of Gabriella feeding herself later
Looks like all your little ones are doing brilliantly!
I am doing a bit of a mixture of feeding as I started Gabriella on baby rice and purees from about 5 months but she is also able to feed herself mini sandwiches, banana, red pepper and lots of other bits but I would really like some inspiration for some other foods to feed.
Could we maybe do a list of food ideas that people are trying/giving to their babies??
I'll post some piccies of Gabriella feeding herself later
Tina & Gabs
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Some piccies of Gabriella
Reaching for the strawberry
Yummy strawberry
Red Pepper
Mmmmm Rice Cake
Reaching for the strawberry
Red Pepper
Woohoo, Gabriella is looking like a pro there and so neat and tidy 
Her eyes are gorgeous!!!
Tina these are some things I give Leorah:
Rice cakes with anything (mashed banana, guacamole, hummus, you could use philadelphia too)
Toasted pitta bread
Toast with spread
chopped raw veggies - cucumber, carrot, peppers
meat balls with vegetable sauce poured over
pasta and sauce
strips of chicken, again with sauce (she loves sauce with garlic!!)
I found this recipe on the net for making homemade potato wedges that i thought could be handy for all sorts of root vegetables (without the salt and pepper obviously but you could add rosemary or basil or something to make them more interesting!):
http://www.recipezaar.com/193370
I'd love to hear some more ideas of others too as I am becoming a bit stumped for new stuff.
http://www.recipezaar.com/193370
Thanks for the rusks info Mel, I think I'll take a look when I am in London. Leorah can tolerate lactose but not milk protein but I would have to really check first.
Gingerpig good luck with seeing the specialist, with your allergies I am sure you should have some different guidelines to regular weaning. It's definitely better to be safe than sorry
I did want to ask has anyone given eggs yet? In Denmark we are not told to wait and after studying the effects of my diet on Leorah so closely I am pretty confidant she will be ok with them. It will be so much easier if she can have them as the no dairy is already quite limiting. I think Imay just brave it out!
I hope you are all having fun this easter weekend, you are having much better weather than us
Her eyes are gorgeous!!!Tina these are some things I give Leorah:
Rice cakes with anything (mashed banana, guacamole, hummus, you could use philadelphia too)
Toasted pitta bread
Toast with spread
chopped raw veggies - cucumber, carrot, peppers
meat balls with vegetable sauce poured over
pasta and sauce
strips of chicken, again with sauce (she loves sauce with garlic!!)
I found this recipe on the net for making homemade potato wedges that i thought could be handy for all sorts of root vegetables (without the salt and pepper obviously but you could add rosemary or basil or something to make them more interesting!):
http://www.recipezaar.com/193370
I'd love to hear some more ideas of others too as I am becoming a bit stumped for new stuff.
http://www.recipezaar.com/193370
Thanks for the rusks info Mel, I think I'll take a look when I am in London. Leorah can tolerate lactose but not milk protein but I would have to really check first.
Gingerpig good luck with seeing the specialist, with your allergies I am sure you should have some different guidelines to regular weaning. It's definitely better to be safe than sorry
I did want to ask has anyone given eggs yet? In Denmark we are not told to wait and after studying the effects of my diet on Leorah so closely I am pretty confidant she will be ok with them. It will be so much easier if she can have them as the no dairy is already quite limiting. I think Imay just brave it out!
I hope you are all having fun this easter weekend, you are having much better weather than us
Thanks for that Mel, I will definitely try omlettes and gypsy toast etc soon
We have just had a hectic weekend of loads of visitors so I haven't been on. Leorah impressed eveyone with her quite impeccable table manners really (she must have been out to impress, she was very neat!!) and ate lots of lamb (easter tradition here) and all the trimmings.
My poor baby has another cold though! Its quite funny as she is losing her voice and is obviously really enjoying the new sounds and wont shut up, she sounds like a tellytubby!! This morning she couldn't even manage her soggy toast and was getting really frustrated as she obviously wanted to eat so I decided to try and feed her some very sloppy weetabix from a spoon! All I can say is thank god we are not weaning this way! All she did was keep trying to snatch the spoon and wow it was so messy! She also kept gagging on the weetabix In the end I just gave her pears and dried plums which she sucks the insides fromand throws the skin on the floor . She has been wanting extra boob I guess because her throat is dry so I may leave the solids for a day or two until she is a bit better.
I hope you have all had a lovely Easter
We have just had a hectic weekend of loads of visitors so I haven't been on. Leorah impressed eveyone with her quite impeccable table manners really (she must have been out to impress, she was very neat!!) and ate lots of lamb (easter tradition here) and all the trimmings.
My poor baby has another cold though! Its quite funny as she is losing her voice and is obviously really enjoying the new sounds and wont shut up, she sounds like a tellytubby!! This morning she couldn't even manage her soggy toast and was getting really frustrated as she obviously wanted to eat so I decided to try and feed her some very sloppy weetabix from a spoon! All I can say is thank god we are not weaning this way! All she did was keep trying to snatch the spoon and wow it was so messy! She also kept gagging on the weetabix
In the end I just gave her pears and dried plums which she sucks the insides fromand throws the skin on the floor . She has been wanting extra boob I guess because her throat is dry so I may leave the solids for a day or two until she is a bit better.I hope you have all had a lovely Easter
Awww poor Leorah having a cold... Arianna is just getting over one now. It's awful when they are ill isnt it.
I gave Arianna roast lamb on Sunday as well for the frst time and she loved it to bit.... I have some pics so will load them on later!
I gave Arianna roast lamb on Sunday as well for the frst time and she loved it to bit.... I have some pics so will load them on later!
Those pics are fab, Arianna is such a cutie. I love her bib
I have a few questions for you Sarah as you are a few months down the line with this BLW malarkey
Arianna looks like she is very competent with the spoon there, does she manage to feed herself from a bowl with a spoon already? I have ordered some short, fat handled spoons as Leorah likes to have a go but obviously doesn't have the skills to actually scoop up and deliver to her mouth properly yet (though she does give it a good go!!) Also are they slices of meat I can see? When did Arianna develope her pincer grip? When did she start taking down enough food that you could actually begin to call it a meal? Leorah has had bits in her nappy and her poos are darker but still have the smell and consistancy of a BM poop!! Also is she a neater eater now? I can't believe how much ends up on the floor after a food session Oh just one more, when you first started did yougive Arianna things like yoghurt, mashed potato and porridge to eat with her hands? I have been doing this and although it's messy it's been great she gets a handful and squeezes it in her fingers and then licks them but I can't let her do this while I'm out!! Have you any tips on what to take while out and about?
Big thank you
I have a few questions for you Sarah as you are a few months down the line with this BLW malarkey
Arianna looks like she is very competent with the spoon there, does she manage to feed herself from a bowl with a spoon already? I have ordered some short, fat handled spoons as Leorah likes to have a go but obviously doesn't have the skills to actually scoop up and deliver to her mouth properly yet (though she does give it a good go!!) Also are they slices of meat I can see? When did Arianna develope her pincer grip? When did she start taking down enough food that you could actually begin to call it a meal? Leorah has had bits in her nappy and her poos are darker but still have the smell and consistancy of a BM poop!! Also is she a neater eater now? I can't believe how much ends up on the floor after a food session Oh just one more, when you first started did yougive Arianna things like yoghurt, mashed potato and porridge to eat with her hands? I have been doing this and although it's messy it's been great she gets a handful and squeezes it in her fingers and then licks them but I can't let her do this while I'm out!! Have you any tips on what to take while out and about?Big thank you
Morning Mummy's! Hope you all had a good Easter - Ours was fairly busy so glad all is back to normal now and we're just chilling out enjoying the weather!
Well still progress with the BLW but like you Skatty sometimes feel like I'm running out of ideas! I have given Otis scrambled eggs but he can't really eat them as they just slip through his fingers! He does eat (suck) toast and eat probably just over half a piece of tiast yesterday. I was getting a bit worried that maybe he was eating enough when he feeds himself as he eats more when I spoon feed him, but I do try to remember that this is still not his main feeds the BM still is so I guess letting him play with his foods os okay for now?!
Last night I made a tyoe of veg burger again he ate most of it but it was rather squiggy so a lot just slpit though his hands, again had to help by spoon feeding Otis - eventhough he does take the spoon and help to feed himself a lot of the time. Will definately give the potato wedges a go. Also do you all just give your baba's homous and such spreads out the jars from the shops or do you make your own? I'm just so paranoid about the salt and sugar thing - what do you and don't you give out the jar???
Well still progress with the BLW but like you Skatty sometimes feel like I'm running out of ideas! I have given Otis scrambled eggs but he can't really eat them as they just slip through his fingers! He does eat (suck) toast and eat probably just over half a piece of tiast yesterday. I was getting a bit worried that maybe he was eating enough when he feeds himself as he eats more when I spoon feed him, but I do try to remember that this is still not his main feeds the BM still is so I guess letting him play with his foods os okay for now?!
Last night I made a tyoe of veg burger again he ate most of it but it was rather squiggy so a lot just slpit though his hands
, again had to help by spoon feeding Otis - eventhough he does take the spoon and help to feed himself a lot of the time. Will definately give the potato wedges a go. Also do you all just give your baba's homous and such spreads out the jars from the shops or do you make your own? I'm just so paranoid about the salt and sugar thing - what do you and don't you give out the jar???skatty said:Those pics are fab, Arianna is such a cutie. I love her bib
I have a few questions for you Sarah as you are a few months down the line with this BLW malarkey
Big thank you
Thanks hun...
She is just getting to grips with the spoon herself now. I started by letting her hold the spoon but I would guide her hand to the bowl and then to her mouth and then I'd just let go of the spoon as she put it in her mouth, then giving LOADS of praise when she put it in herself.
She can feed herself from a bowl, but not a yoghurt tub as she hasn't quiet mastered the aim into the smaller tubs.
I have just started giving her slices of meat... she is coping really well... obviously it is really messy, but her pincer grip is really good, she will sit and pick up little bits of pea or sweetcorn and put it to her mouth herself.
She is just starting to eat "Proper meals", she'll have quite a big breakfast (ie. toast and porridge and fruit), lunch I'll give her a small sandwich but she never really eats much of it, although she will have some fruit and a rice cake in the afternoon after she has had her nap and before she wants to play. And then at dinner she usually has what we have... a couple slices of meat and some veg. Then she sometimes but very rarly will have a yogurt after her bath before bed... but I feed that to her.
I have gave her baby yogurts since she was about 6 1/2 mths, but when she is feeding it to herself I will empty the pot into a bowl.
With regards to the messy floor... if she throws food it never quite reaches the floor as their is always two dogs sitting under her highchair in hope that food is falling their way
This was taken the other week (excuse the lampshade collar on my dog Sparx, he'd just had an op on his ear)
Hope this all helps.... if you want to know anything else... just ask!
Just as an idea.... Arianna loves tortilla wraps... even if there is just a fruit spread in it or if you do fill it...
It's great finger food.
I have never gave Arianna houmous as yet... but I think I would make it rather than use shop bought because of the salt content.
It's great finger food.
I have never gave Arianna houmous as yet... but I think I would make it rather than use shop bought because of the salt content.
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Right well im going to post a few pictures ... alot of pictures sorry about the quality it was really sunny,
well the fritters were a bIG hit Katt he loved them, strawberry and coconut, he also had fish sticks which he enjoyed also, banana which is always a favourite, daireylea filled pata shells which he found hard eating, pineapple which was hilarious his little face bless him, and chargrilled chicken, hich he liked also, it was messy and good fun, LOVE IT!
The plate before but the food had to come off the plate because he was after tipping the food on the floor so ... lol
waiting patiently for his food
dont want that bit mummy it can go
mmmmmmmmmmmm
oh ohhhhhhhhh too much nar-na mummy
right no more food here, see if theres any i can have down there ....hmm
oooo pineapple ...
bit sour ...
lol and FINALLY
AHHHHH ... stick a fork in me IM DONE!
alot of pictures sorry about the quality it was really sunny, well the fritters were a bIG hit Katt he loved them, strawberry and coconut, he also had fish sticks which he enjoyed also, banana which is always a favourite, daireylea filled pata shells which he found hard eating, pineapple which was hilarious his little face bless him, and chargrilled chicken, hich he liked also, it was messy and good fun, LOVE IT!
The plate before but the food had to come off the plate because he was after tipping the food on the floor so ... lol
waiting patiently for his food
dont want that bit mummy it can go
mmmmmmmmmmmm
oh ohhhhhhhhh too much nar-na mummy
right no more food here, see if theres any i can have down there ....hmm
oooo pineapple ...
bit sour ...
lol and FINALLY
AHHHHH ... stick a fork in me IM DONE!
