BLW and the 4 month old

[Terrilein]

For a variety of reasons we have decided to go ahead and introduce our baby to the wonderful world of solids. We were wanting to BLW, but alas, although our lo is able to grab and ferociously bite all his toys to oblivion, he is not able to get a stick of avocado/pear/melon to his mouth to even suck on it. The pieces are just to slippery and pop right out of his little fist. And obviously his coordination needs a lot of work. So I end up mashing everything up and spoon feeding him, trying as much as possible to let him spoon-feed himself with me just helping him aim the spoon. But what are good non-slippery BLW foods for ds to try? I'm a little stumped here.

[MJB]

Originally Posted by Terrilein 

For a variety of reasons we have decided to go ahead and introduce our baby to the wonderful world of solids. We were wanting to BLW, but alas, although our lo is able to grab and ferociously bite all his toys to oblivion, he is not able to get a stick of avocado/pear/melon to his mouth to even suck on it. The pieces are just to slippery and pop right out of his little fist. And obviously his coordination needs a lot of work. So I end up mashing everything up and spoon feeding him, trying as much as possible to let him spoon-feed himself with me just helping him aim the spoon. But what are good non-slippery BLW foods for ds to try? I'm a little stumped here.

We're in the same boat. For now we are spoon feeding but I am sure she will be feeding herself a month from now.

Also, rolling slippery foods in cereal can make them easier to hang onto. 

My girl can communicate her wants pretty clearly so I'm not too worried that I'm giving her anything she doesn't want. Her problem is that I'm too slow!

[KellyandBean]

It might be a bit to early for BLW but who knows i could be wrong as all babies are different. We started at around 5 months very loosely but usually babies don't have the hand/eye coordination for it until 6 months or so. She started really getting the hang of solids at around 7 months and now at 9 months is FINALLY actually eating it instead of just playing with it. You will notice a LOT of changes happen with you LO in regards to eating/tongue thrust/hand eye coordination in the next few months.

Here are some ideas to try that might work NOW.

teething cookies (they just suck on them and gum them)

Rice Rusk (called mum-mums)

A whole pear that is really ripe with the skin peeled off

But really what you should be waiting for is him to be able to pick things up with his thumb and forefinger (pincher grasp) which happened for my DD around 6.5 or 7 months and then you are able to do a whole new world of tiny cut up chunks of finger foods and the baby will actually CHEW. I was so amazed when i saw DID pick up a pea put it in her mouth and chew with her gums for the first time.

have fun!

[Terrilein]

Good tip with rolling it in cereal! I'll try that tomorrow. ATM we just hold piece for him and he gums it or sucks on it. It's pretty funny to watch him try to chew. He'll throw his arms back and lean forward trying to get the most of it. He looks like a little bird.

[P.J.]

Part of BLW is waiting until the baby can feed him or herself, which includes the hand/eye coordination that doesn't come until 6 months or so. I would think until the baby can put food into his own mouth, you'll have to improvise with some of the tips you get here, and/or continue spoon feeding until he can manage better on his own.

[tzs]

bananas and avocados were the toughest foods for us in teh beginning. they start out slippery and then they just mush in the fist and make them even slippery-er.

for melon leaving the rind on helps alot. watermelon was the easiest for us.