Baby led weaning - what's your opinion?

Question

Don't know whether to try this? It scares me a little in case of choking!

Answer

I'm not comfortable with it honestly. I'm just going to do purées still and when he's eating a bit more I'll switch consistently until he's eating bigger pieces. He's been on solids for few weeks and could still take it or leave it so I'm just trying to get him used to flavours for now. Purees have worked for years and years so I'm not worried about him not learning how to eat properly or whatever!

Answer

We initially tried for a few days. After too many heart attacks from gagging, and my LO getting huge chunks off of the strips of food, We gave up. I did purées for 3-4 weeks, and am now transitioning to soft finger foods, MUCH LESS STRESS and it's going great! This was her dinner last night.

Answer

Good luck with whatever you choose! Just know that there is some new research showing BLW infants have shown low iron levels. So maybe incorporate something to combat/watch that

Answer

My LO just turned 6 months last Saturday and my intentions were to do blw...but I decided to start with purees and move to soft finger foods in a month or so.  Someone also commented about the recent studies showing low iron levels in babies that do BLW.  I also recently saw some medical studies on that as well, and since my delivery did not allow me to do delayed cord cutting  (i hemorraged during delivery amd had to be rushed into emergency surgery right after her birth) I picked up an iron supplement to give her.  So like the other person mentioned l would suggest supplementing iron or also giving some iron fortified baby cereal as well.  Good luck!

Answer

We started BLW last week and are loving it. We have started slowly and most days he doesn't have anything at all. I recommend reading gill rapleys book 'baby led Weaning' and doing your research. You'll be surprised what babies are capable of to prevent them from choking. Also Do a first aid course if you don't know what to do in the event of choking. Gagging and choking are very very different and it's important u know the difference and how to deal with them before u start BLW 😁

Answer

We skipped the purees and are full-force in BLW. Our LO picked it up right away, and I make sure to either give her things that are super soft (overcooked noodles, roasted zucchini, tortillas) or too hard for her to get chunks off of (raw bell peppers, for example). I read up on it and only give her things in a stick shape (about the length/width of an adult finger) and she does just fine. If she bites off more than she can chew, she spits it out. She does a lot of gagging- which is normal because of their super sensitive gag reflex- and it's terrifying, but she always figures it out without help (I watch her closely, but do a lot of sitting on my hands. Jostling her can only make it worse). Do what's comfortable for you both, but remember that your LO will eventually go through this all anyway!

Answer

We are doing it and it has been great! Learn the difference between gagging and choking before you start and you'll feel more comfortable. When they're young the gag reflex is higher up so the chances of them choking is less. Plus up to a year most of their nutrition should come from milk, so you don't have to worry about how much their eating! My LO gets so excited to eat with us. It allows her to learn to eat on her own while allowing us to enjoy our meal! Plus it makes meal time so much less of a battle! I also think it depends on your baby. Ours was grabbing and putting everything in her mouth since 3 months. BLW seemed like the most natural thing to do with her!

Answer

I give purée food then big bits of bread, banana, rusks etc. She hates textured food just gags on it but will suck on bread no problem. Just go with best for you and baby. Honest no mater what you chose it won't affect baby long term. I haven't seen any teenagers still on purée because they don't like lumps.

Answer

At my moms group the topic was on solid foods and our guest speaker just mentioned Baby Led Weaning is more of a choking hazard but if you choose to do it just make sure the foods are big chunks for baby to suck and munch on. Me personally, it scares me at this age so I'm waiting a  a couple more months to give him a chunks of solid foods when he has more teeth to chew. I'll do purées and foods that are more of a " melt in your mouth " food before something hard.

Baby led weaning - what's your opinion?

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