Baby Led Weaning - Starting Solids « Back to Group Discussions

[LunaLady]

So, R is almost six and a half months old and at his 6 month appointment last week his doctor said that he's showing signs of food readiness - weight gain plateau, watching us eat and mimicking putting things in his mouth as we are, no tongue thrust reflex, etc. He's not sitting unassisted, yet (but very close!) and he's not using a pincer grip, either - but I have tried just a few little things with him and he seems to really enjoy it. I've given him some warm egg yolk from my morning eggs and a banana to play with/gnaw on.

I'm using this website as a guide. I really like the idea of baby lead weaning (and this is weaning in the UK sense of the word, not stopping breastfeeding) and letting R choose what he wants to eat and how he wants to eat. We are a no-grain household, so we certainly won't be doing pasta or toast as mentioned on that website, though.

We got R a high chair at Ikea yesterday and he really likes it! 

Edited by LunaLady - 3/28/12 at 7:53pm

[LunaLady]

I DO have some reservations, however... 

Being that R was 7 weeks early, I feel that his digestive tract is probably still a little behind, even if he has caught up to his 'actual age' with milestones and whatnot (according to his doctor). Is this reasonable thinking or do you think his tummy will have already adjusted just fine?

Also, I feel like we haven't actually been breastfeeding that long and I'm still really enjoying it (and so is he)! We are obviously not going to be stopping BFing, but I guess I do see introducing solids as the 'beginning of the end'. I do hope for R to nurse until at least age 3 (but will be following his queues as far as weaning). 

And, I have a pretty good grasp on what foods I want to introduce that are in line with my nutritional beliefs... but I'm a little daunted by the fact that I will need to start consciously preparing foods for another person!!

And lastly... I am worried, still, about the fact that R isn't gaining weight very rapidly anymore. He's only gained a few ounces in the last TWO WEEKS! 

Edited by LunaLady - 3/28/12 at 7:54pm

[Jaimee]

We do BLW as well and follow an allergy chart to introduce very low-allergen foods first.  I would personally caution against feeding egg at this point.  I start with pear, banana, avocado, squash, and sweet potato. Food introduction can be fun, sometimes frustrating, and messy!  I suggest offering very small amounts b/c a lot of food will be wasted as they experiment.  Do not focus on actual ingestion and don't expect immediate weight gain as very little food will likely be digested at first.

When preparing foods, I cut into large pieces that they can hold and gnaw on.  In the case of squashes and sweet potato, I cut spears that I steam.  I freeze the extras on a cookie sheet and then store in a container.  You can serve frozen to alleviate teething pain or allow to thaw. 

And lastly, always keep in mind the difference between gagging (should always be allowed) and choking (requires attention).

Edited by Jaimee - 3/28/12 at 12:41pm

[seraf]

Shay has slowed down, too.  They're pretty close in adjusted age, right?

Shay has gained 2 ounces in 2 weeks, much slower than he was previously (half a pound a week before, but can't keep that up, he's over 19 pounds already).

Shay currently sits up in his high chair during meals with food in front of him.  He has nibbled on raw banana, apple, carrots, avocado and cooked steak, chicken and sweet potato.  He has only managed to swallow banana (he nurses on bananas to get it down his gullet) and water.  It makes for stinky poop that looks like little black worms (so you don't freak out).  His tongue thrust is still too present, but he likes the tastes.  He drinks water from a little sake cup (we hold the cup).  

[seraf]

They changed the allergy recommendations, didn't they? I keep my babies off wheat, dairy and honey til a year because my kids have issues with wheat and dairy.

I've read the egg yolk recommendation, I trust the eggs I get, but I don't feed the to babies until they are really feeding themselves since I think he's getting good nutrition from me. 

[LunaLady]

Originally Posted by seraf 

Shay has slowed down, too.  They're pretty close in adjusted age, right?

Shay has gained 2 ounces in 2 weeks, much slower than he was previously (half a pound a week before, but can't keep that up, he's over 19 pounds already).

Shay currently sits up in his high chair during meals with food in front of him.  He has nibbled on raw banana, apple, carrots, avocado and cooked steak, chicken and sweet potato.  He has only managed to swallow banana (he nurses on bananas to get it down his gullet) and water.  It makes for stinky poop that looks like little black worms (so you don't freak out).  His tongue thrust is still too present, but he likes the tastes.  He drinks water from a little sake cup (we hold the cup).  

What day was Shay born? I think they are pretty close.

Thank you so much for reassuring me on his weight gain. I feel better knowing Shay has slowed down, too. Rhyko had been gaining consistently 2 pounds a month from birth until the start of this month. I think he's gained about half a pound since the end of February. 

THAT'S the other thing I meant to ask his ped and forgot. About water. Thank you for bringing that up. How much water? We also want to try a cup instead of a sippy/bottle thing.

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

How much water? We also want to try a cup instead of a sippy/bottle thing.

We have never bothered with water until they are actually ingesting enough food to want to drink while eating.  It's not really something you need to introduce since you're nursing and that quenches thirst at all other times.  The occasional sip from your glass or whatever is all I might do at this point.  Sippies are handy so that water is not being spilled everywhere once they do start drinking more water- especially in the car- and they are handy to carry around in a diaper bag when out and about.  Everyone in our family uses water bottles instead of cups for the most part simply b/c they are easier to carry around and always have handy.
 

[LunaLady]

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

We do BLW as well and follow an allergy chart to introduce very low-allergen foods first.  I would personally caution against feeding egg at this point.  I start with pear, banana, avocado, squash, and sweet potato. Food introduction can be fun, sometimes frustrating, and messy!  I think my best advice is to offer very small amounts b/c a lot of food will be wasted as they experiment.  Do not focus on actual ingestion and don't expect immediate weight gain as very little food will likely be digested at first.

I've been just giving him a small amount of yolk for about a week, now. I just dip my finger in it and let him lick/suck the yolk off. Just about two or three 'finger dips' each morning. I haven't seen any reactions in him at all, so I feel pretty good about going ahead with the egg. I won't be doing whites until he's much older, often it's the egg white proteins people are allergic to. 

I feel good about offering banana as it has a substantial amount of amylase present to help baby digest it, but as far as other very sweet fruits or high starch veggies, I think I'm going to hold off a bit on those. We are not big potato eaters as I'm a bit on the fence as to whether or not I think they are suitable for human consumption (http://paleolithicdiet.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/original-introduction/). 

I am looking forward to trying avocado with him, though! We LOVE avocado! 

Thank you for the advice on starting with small amounts. I learned that yesterday when half of a banana got tossed on the carpet. OOPS! 

[seraf]

Shay was due the 8th but came the first.

I put about a tablespoon in his cup and he spills a lot, but I give him as much as he wants.  We started when he started going after our water glasses.  It looked ridiculous:

and made a mess so I fished out a little sake cup from DDs tea set.  We give him little drinks whenever he wants.  He is getting better at swallowing the water but he never drinks the whole tablespoon and he asks 2 or 3 times a day.

[LunaLady]

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

We have never bothered with water until they are actually ingesting enough food to want to drink while eating.  It's not really something you need to introduce since you're nursing and that quenches thirst at all other times.  The occasional sip from your glass or whatever is all I might do at this point.  Sippies are handy so that water is not being spilled everywhere once they do start drinking more water- especially in the car- and they are handy to carry around in a diaper bag when out and about.  Everyone in our family uses water bottles instead of cups for the most part simply b/c they are easier to carry around and always have handy.
 

Oh, okay - that's good to hear. I'll just stick with BFing for thirst, then, until he's actually eating more. Yes, I do envision a sippy or water bottle of some sort for outings and such, I just would like to try cups at home at the table. We do use water bottles or glass jars with lids at home, too. More so that our crazy cats don't knock over open water containers. As they have done. And destroyed things. 

[LunaLady]

Ha, Sara, that is sooo cute! 

Yes, Rh was due the 5th, so they are about as close as they can get in terms of his adjusted age. I feel like Shay is very 'ahead' of his age. Do you feel that way?

How does Shay ask you for water? I feel like I am terrible at reading R's queues for things!

Edited by LunaLady - 6/27/12 at 8:56pm

[LunaLady]

Here's another article I found interesting and relevant for my nutritional beliefs. I'm sorry about the title - it's not necessarily the 'right' way - just one way. 

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/right-way-to-feed-babies/

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

I feel good about offering banana as it has a substantial amount of amylase present to help baby digest it, but as far as other very sweet fruits or high starch veggies, I think I'm going to hold off a bit on those. We are not big potato eaters as I'm a bit on the fence as to whether or not I think they are suitable for human consumption (http://paleolithicdiet.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/original-introduction/). 

You follow paleo?  How is this different from GAPS?  I'm curious as I haven't looked into either one deeply enough to see the differences.  Many foods are not really meant for human consumption, but yams (not white potato) are an ancient food source if you're just speaking anthropologically.  

Thank you for the advice on starting with small amounts. I learned that yesterday when half of a banana got tossed on the carpet. OOPS! 

Yeah, this is when you start to realize that food off the floor really isn't that big of deal. 

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

How does Shay ask you for water? I feel like I am terrible at reading Rhyko's queues for things!

My kids would just grab at the water glass/bottle and try to drink.  Pretty clear cue!
 

[jbk21]

I love your new avatar, Christina!

Anyway, I am glad you started this thread.  I am thinking I might start giving D some things just to gnaw on, but don't anticipate he'll ingest anything.  I think his tongue thrust is in full effect- it was the last time I checked.  He can sit up though.   He was due the 17th and born the 24th.  He is only just 4 months so I would only give him foods to hold as a way to occupy him.  He likes sticking things in his mouth- might as well give him something that tastes good?

Actually, now that I am thinking about it, I won't start for a couple more weeks at least.  I am trying to see how cutting gluten out of my diet affects him, so I don't want to introduce anything new, just in case.  

 

[LunaLady]

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

You follow paleo?  How is this different from GAPS?  I'm curious as I haven't looked into either one deeply enough to see the differences.  Many foods are not really meant for human consumption, but yams (not white potato) are an ancient food source if you're just speaking anthropologically.  

Yeah, this is when you start to realize that food off the floor really isn't that big of deal. 

Yeah, I just rinsed the cat hair off and ate it myself 

We follow a Paleo/Primal/GAPS/Nourishing Traditions sort of mash up. We don't eat grains at all at home (though sometimes we do allow ourselves treats when we are out and about - but I usually pay for that later with tummy upset) and we don't eat a lot of high sugar fruits and high starch vegetables. I think that's where the difference is with GAPS. On GAPS you can eat several different kinds of beans, sweet potatoes, and lots of very high sugar fruits. With Paleo, you don't eat beans and there is a division in that community over potatoes. We choose not to eat very high sugar fruits (other than banana, I guess. That's a pretty high sugar fruit! But it is very easily digested). GAPS also allows for certain dairy products and Paleo obviously doesn't - although 'Primal' does. Primal being a variation of Paleo.

ETA: And I don't do cow's milk dairy because it brings about clear upset in Rhyko - but I am starting with small goat's milk dairy experiments. Cultured butter and aged raw milk cheese. I had gluten free mac n cheese at this very cool gluten/cmd free organic restaurant last week and Rhyko showed no indications of upset from the goat's milk dairy. YAY!

So confusing!!! 

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

Here's another article I found interesting and relevant for my nutritional beliefs. I'm sorry about the title - it's not necessarily the 'right' way - just one way. 

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/right-way-to-feed-babies/

Interesting...

Children who receive sufficient omega 3 fats in their diet tend to speak clearly and understand verbal direction from the parents at a very early age.    I just went back and looked at my children’s baby books and all 3 of them (even the boys) spoke short sentences by 15-17 months of age (with first words at around 7 months).   While these sentences were very simple (“Get that”, “Don’t want that”, “More of this”) I have no doubt that getting ample omega 3′s from their diet played a big part in their ease of communicating at an early age with clear enough diction to be understood by even those outside the family.

I don't mean to be that person that picks everything apart and assumes that you believe 100% of the article you posted, but I will say that this is a little out there for me.  While of course I agree that omega-3's are great and a necessary part of our diets, I hardly think that ample amounts will equal early communication.  My diet was definitely not as good with my first child and she talked fluently quite early.  My diet was improved with my second and at 26 months is still not talking nearly as well as dd did at 20 months.  Seriously.  Every child is different and what they are exposed to is different even within the same household.  First children tend to be earlier talkers than their siblings and boys tend to be on the later end of the talking spectrum than girls.  Just something to keep in mind as verbal ability is definitely an area of parenting that can cause a lot of anxiety if it appears that your child is "behind."  My SIL's boy is the exact same age as ds1 and he speaks in very complex sentences.  When the two were together the difference in their ability was astounding and hard to take sometimes.  But I have to just remember that every child puts energy into different areas of development at different times and second children tend to talk later anyway.  And let me say that my nephew's diet probably does not contain "ample amounts" of omega-3's. 

[jbk21]

Yeah I think it might be best to leave our ideas of "optimum nutrition" out of it.  We have a wide spectrum of beliefs here, in that regard (vegetarian, vegan, paleo, standard, etc) and I think that it can be a serious point of contention.  

[seraf]

Haha, the communication differences are wild.  DS1 spoke in 3 word sentences and DD spoke in syllables at 18 months.

I don't think Shay is advanced.  Rhyko is kicking his rump in several areas.  He's just older than a lot of the other babies.

[LunaLady]

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

Interesting...

I don't mean to be that person that picks everything apart and assumes that you believe 100% of the article you posted, but I will say that this is a little out there for me.  While of course I agree that omega-3's are great and a necessary part of our diets, I hardly think that ample amounts will equal early communication.  My diet was definitely not as good with my first child and she talked fluently quite early.  My diet was improved with my second and at 26 months is still not talking nearly as well as dd did at 20 months.  Seriously.  Every child is different and what they are exposed to is different even within the same household.  First children tend to be earlier talkers than their siblings and boys tend to be on the later end of the talking spectrum than girls.  Just something to keep in mind as verbal ability is definitely an area of parenting that can cause a lot of anxiety if it appears that your child is "behind."  My SIL's boy is the exact same age as ds1 and he speaks in very complex sentences.  When the two were together the difference in their ability was astounding and hard to take sometimes.  But I have to just remember that every child puts energy into different areas of development at different times and second children tend to talk later anyway.  And let me say that my nephew's diet probably does not contain "ample amounts" of omega-3's. 

I totally understand. As you said, all babies are different. I guess that was just that woman's experience and she attributed it to her diet. She has no way of knowing if her diet actually did play a role, but a good diet for the nursing mother and baby is always a great thing :)