BLW - Apples?

[snoopy5386]

We've just started solids with 6 month old DD and so far she's not been a fan of anything. Tonight, out of desperation while stuck in traffic, I gave DD a wedge of apple with the peel to suck on. Well, she loved it! So how can I serve her apple that isn't a huge choking hazard (besides applesauce)?
Thanks!

[Knitting Mama]

Just like you did! It seems to work best when it's a large chunk that can be held in a fist and they can basically gum off tiny pieces (or bite off if Kelsey has any teeth; Cecilia doesn't).

Also have you checked the April thread lately? ;-)

[Lauren31]

Our DD loves apples as well. We cute off the skin and then just give her long pieces, which she gums off.

[alegna]

Best apple idea I ever heard for babies was to grate it! Just peel a chunk and take a grater to it (can use coarse or fine- whatever works) Make a little pile of apple gratings and let baby go at it.

-Angela

[Maela]

Both of my kids have LOVED apples their whole (solids-eating) lives. But I found that as babies they were always choking on them. So we have a love/hate relationship with apples. I'm definitely going to try the grated apple idea for DS as he's still at that choking stage.

[octobermom]

THe bigger sliced apple (pears, peaches ect) works better for my LO than small cuts or gratting she tries to put too much in her mouth when I grate it but does great sucking and gumming on the big slice..
I My LO love sucking on bell pepper slices and toamato slices as well..

[Llyra]

What about stewing or baking them? If you cook them in water for a few minutes, they'll soften. Not enough to get applesauce-- just enough to soften them. You can also slice them and bake them for a few minutes.

[dakotablue]

Big slices I always watched for choking and *knocks on wood* he hasn't yet. I liked leaving the skin on so that large chunks couldn't break off as they were attached to skin.

Although, I will add I wouldn't ever give non organic apple skins, only twice non organic apples (Although I did do local/ fresh picked a few times)

[AislinCarys]

DD stole my whole apple a 7 months. I'd just bitten off one piece, and she ate it, slowly, with no problems. She wasn't eating much else at that point.

She has eaten whole apples ever since, never a problem. Chunks of apples, however, of any size, she has choked on, several times, the last time she was over 18 months old.

[Tattooed Hand]

My DD (who is a late bloomer with solids) loves apples - it's the only thing she actively wants. She does gag on them when we give her uncooked wedges, to the point of throwing up a few times. So we steam them to the point that they are soft, but still graspable and they go down easier.

[TreeRose]

My heart is racing thinking of choking hazards coming in our future! How do you do it (introduce solids without fear of your baby dying)???

[Knitting Mama]

Well, basically you trust that their bodies will do what they are supposed to do (like breastfeeding-- ever see a video of a baby doing the nursing crawl and getting to their mama's breast right after birth?). One of the big benefits of going the BLW route is that it's really easy to tell if they're actually ready to be eating solids or not. If they're not, as much as goes in will come right back out because of the infant tongue thrust. If they're ready, that tongue thrust is gone and they will actually start ingesting food.

If you're anything like me, you also hover nearby ready to do a finger swipe of the mouth if needed.

[TreeRose]

Originally Posted by Cecilia's Mama

Well, basically you trust that their bodies will do what they are supposed to do (like breastfeeding-- ever see a video of a baby doing the nursing crawl and getting to their mama's breast right after birth?). One of the big benefits of going the BLW route is that it's really easy to tell if they're actually ready to be eating solids or not. If they're not, as much as goes in will come right back out because of the infant tongue thrust. If they're ready, that tongue thrust is gone and they will actually start ingesting food.

If you're anything like me, you also hover nearby ready to do a finger swipe of the mouth if needed.

Awww... what a fun and precious time! I can't wait til she's eating - what an adventure. I just try not to have too many neurotic fears and this one popped up about choking. Mouth swipe: good visual, and good remedy for the situation! Thanks!

[dahlialia]

once our DD had front teeth, top and bottom, we could give her an entire apple, peeled, and she would essentially grate bits off with her teeth. She's 14 months now and we still give her apple this way; if we give her wedges then she bites big pieces.