Baby Led Weaning - An update
Ellyna is now 18 months old and has been eating solids since she was 6 months old, through BLW. After reading about this and purchasing Gill Rapley’s book -
http://www.rapleyweaning.com/blwbook.php
It seemed like a natural choice and we began on Christmas day 2009, it was lovely to have Ellyna eating with us, and to see everyone’s amazement that she could feed herself. Now at 18 months I know it was the best choice I could have made, Ellyna is an excellent eater, she regulates how much she eats throughout the day if she has a big breakfast she’ll go easy through the day, small breakfast and she’ll ask for more lunch or tea. Everyone is amazed at how good she is with food, she eats a very well balanced diet and we have never had a problem eating out from day one. Watching and teaching Ellyna to eat has truly been a blessing and so much fun. After spoon feeding my nephews and lots of children through work I see how stressful it is in comparison, and when doing it now it feels so unnatural to me.
Now don’t get me wrong BLW does have its down falls, it is extremely messy. I used to strip Ellyna down to her vest for all her meals, but as she’s got older she has gained more control and it is getting better. Also there are times when you so worry if your child is eating enough, the hardest thing is to trust your child to know what they want. But believe me they do and if they are hungry they will let you know.
On the upside I truly believe BLW has helped Ellyna grow in independence, she is a very confident girl and her speech is coming on leaps and bounds, especially when telling me she would like her meal, what she likes or doesn’t like and the best bit is she puts her plate on the side when she has finished. She is also already very interested in cooking and loves to join in when I am baking or making a meal.
For me Baby Led Weaning has been a wonderful experience, and I have even converted many friends and family to the idea of it. I could not recommend it more and here are some tips I have gathered over the past couple of months.
My first tip is please do not rush into this, it is a wonderful thing but if your child is not showing any interest in food, not grasping toys just yet or placing things to their mouth then wait a little longer. There is no rush your child will still be getting most of their nutrients from milk so take your time and make sure they are ready. If you are not sure speak to your health visitor or get online and get some advice, there’s no harm in taking it slow.
Be patient, with your child and yourself, its easy to lose your temper or give up.
Invest in a highchair, I would suggest a wooden one as these are easiest to clean. We had one with a cover which just got stained and ruined with the mess.
Relax, let your child know its a fun experience with lots of smiles, and even join in. The greatest thing about BLW is being able to eat together.
Get a splashmat to catch all the left over food, they are very easy to clean and can last a while, think about one for the nappy bag too for visiting friends.
Experiment, try lots of different kinds of foods and recipes with your child, they will love to learn about all the new textures, colours and tastes. Remember this is a learning experience for them not just about getting something in they’re tummy.
For the first couple of months milk should still be the main staple of their diet so fit food around this, and try food when they will be slightly more hungry. They are much less interested just after a bottle.
Take lots of pictures, this is a lovely journey that you can re live with your child when they are older, show them all the food they enjoyed, what was their favourite, turn it into a little book maybe?
Its very cheap and time efficient, as your child can eat what your eating you don’t need to go out and buy lots of expensive equipment or spend hours cooking the life out of food, puréeing it and trying to fit it into tiny ice cube trays.
Try to eat at the same time, maybe around the table, switch the television off and show your child how much you enjoy your food, just like them. The best way to learn is through imitation.
Most of all enjoy the whole experience, trust your child to eat what they want and how much they want, and you will soon see how clever your baby really is.
Here’s a few helpful links -
http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplay0_10751_-1_107132_10001?cm_vc=RelatedProductAccessory
This is an excellent highchair, as your child grows it can turn into a table and chair. They will love feeling grown up sat at there own table and chair. It is very easy to clean and maintain, definitely a must.
http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_343+113_10751_-1_14601_104843_10001_14601
Here’s a great splash mat and very cheap, its thick, durable and easy to clean.
http://www.babyledweaning.com/forum/
This is a great forum, for recipe’s and friendly advice especially when you are just starting you BLW journey.
