Baby Led Weaning - Page 2

[sgmom]

Hey, awesome! I wonder why that thread didn't show up in my search!

THANKS!

[alinajoy]

Originally Posted by MadiMamacita

i've seen these before and they look lie such a good idea but i've read nothing but terrible product reviews (which i generally try to take with a grain of salt..) . i'm glad to see that someone does like it- do you find it difficult to clean? that, and loosening of small plastic parts seem to be the biggest complaints.

The brand I linked to was great (there are cheap knockoffs that i tried and HATED). There are two plastic pieces and a mesh bag. Never once did it loosen even in the slightest... Easy to clean too. We put the handle, ring and mesh baggies in the dishwasher and it worked perfectly. The only thing that made one bag funky was a ripe banana with lots of strings. I didn't feel like using vinegar, cleaning by hand etc so I just tossed it and got replacement bags.

I don't think I have a single complaint about it. From my experience it was safe and easy to clean, will definitely use it again.

all the best
alina

[jillmamma]

:

I used this for DD when she was ready to try some solids but could not yet do the spoon herself and refused to let me feed her. I just put cut up chunks of fruits and veggies in there and she went to town.

[finnyroo]

My little man is nearly 18 months old. We are a BLW family and I thank BLW for his eclectic diet. I also feared the chocking thing, but he has never choked, and still, spits out (throws, smears, and rubs in his hair…) anything he can't swallow or doesn't like for that matter. However, I think a few guidelines are necessary for caution's sake. I always tested food out before giving it to him, and would always error on the side of over-cooked rather than under. His first foods were roasted asparagus, avocado and mangos. I recommend just peeling a mango and handing it over. What a juicy mess, but easy to suck on and gum little bites off. The pit is too large to end up in a baby's mouth. Peeled poached apples or pears are super easy too. Here http://theoakfin.com/category/baby-led-weaning/ you can find some posts I've written about BLW. I want to keep writing about it, and would love to hear anyone's recipes or tips. Or does anyone write a BLW specific blog. I would love to read it. BLW is so much fun, and really teaches babies to regulate their food intake. It takes the pressure off trying to figure out how much breast milk versus food a baby needs - your baby will tell you. I love that part! Good luck. 

[finnyroo]

My little on adored Indian food too! Babies have a much more interesting pallet then most would think! 

[megannt]

All you have to do is remember that gagging is normal and not dangerous. My husband was absolutely terrified of my daughter choking and would get upset when she would gag. I would just talk to him and remind him that it's completely normal. With my baby, she gagged a lot in the beginning (almost once or twice every meal) but it quickly went away. She would stuff her mouth too full and she obviously wasn't going to swallow it, so  it had to come out some how! It's actually a really good thing - the gagging reflex. It's their way of saying 'too much' or 'too big' because they aren't quite coordinated enough to actually purposely spit it out or take smaller bites.

some suggestions of foods we gave our daughter: naturally mushy foods like bananas and avocados, steamed veggies like yams, sweet potatoes, carrots, and broccoli. Soups and stews work really well because the veggies that are in it are cooked and mushy, you can just fish out some veggies and give it to baby. I would also give her sips of the chicken broth, she really liked that.

really, when they are little, there isn't much eating going on. more exploring and feeling and mushing between fingers :) it wasn't until eight/nine months that my daughter actually started eating and by then she was able to grab little bits of food with her thumb and forefinger. now, it's super easy to feed her because i can give her little bits of food, like peas, little bits of chicken, etc. and she can eat them easily. once they get teeth they can eat foods like apples and pears.

it's such a neat way of feeding baby, you will really enjoy it. just try not  to worry too much about the choking. i love baby led weaning because my daughter and i can eat together, rather than me spoon feeding her and then trying to find time to eat myself.

and if you are really worried about choking and just can't shake it, it would be a good idea to brush up on infant first aid - there are a lot of places that offer classes. that might make you feel more at ease if you feel prepared.