BLW thread

[DVMmomma]

Who's doing BLW? Hows it going?

DD gets 1/8 cup cereal with BM once a day and some purée fruits and veggies. I eat with her and usually offer her some of what I'm having if it's reasonable. She had chicken yesterday and it was the cutest thing ever. I was shocked at how well she can chew already. She also regularly takes bananas from me and gums the crap out of them. And then returns a mushy slimy banana to me.

[cdseno]

Max gets so excited when he sees food anywhere near him. I made sweet potato chili and gave him the sweet potatoes out of it and he loved them. The next day I gave him more and he looked at me like I was trying to poison him.

He is just starting to get into eating though. He still has a strong tongue thrust reflex so the food comes back out a lot. I thought he was eating the banana I was giving him, but when I took him out of his seat it was all over his butt.

[coleyj88]

I'm so glad this is a thread! We're going to try BLW this time around. LO just turned 5 months though so I have to be patient just a little longer

[pineapplemae]

I have been reading all kinds of BLW info, but we are waiting until V is six months to really start. I did give her a mushy blueberry once just because she was so interested; she did not disappoint with the cuteness

[annapunkalunka]

We just started yesterday. I gave LO some steamed baby carrots. She was so cute! I will admit I'm not a fan of the gagging, but it was only her first go, so I'm sure she'll get better! I think our dog loves it more than anyone! I'm thankful to have a little furry vacuum cleaner.

[DVMmomma]

Feb 1, 2015 9:19:40 GMT -5 coleyj88 said:

I'm so glad this is a thread! We're going to try BLW this time around. LO just turned 5 months though so I have to be patient just a little longer

My DD just turned 5 months Jan. 23rd. She was more than ready to start dabbling in foods though. When we put her in her high chair now, she just stares at us and whines until she gets a plate of food. She's certainly no expert at the mechanics of eating and most of time times has us put food in her mouth. We try to hand her something and instead of taking the food, she takes our hand and brings it to her mouth. We're not doing a by the book BLW though and just kind of rolling with things. I'm also probably too lax on things and I don't worry about allergies or her choking. Within reason of course. I'm not going to give her a peanut.

This morning she had some egg and hash browns  

[DVMmomma]

Feb 1, 2015 9:57:33 GMT -5 annapunkalunka said:

We just started yesterday. I gave LO some steamed baby carrots. She was so cute! I will admit I'm not a fan of the gagging, but it was only her first go, so I'm sure she'll get better! I think our dog loves it more than anyone! I'm thankful to have a little furry vacuum cleaner.

I was shocked at how quickly the gagging went away in our babe! 

[prairiegirl]

Can someone let me know a little bit more about BLW? If I understand correctly, they eat basically mushed up versions of what you eat? I've started LO on some purées. Some I've made, some baby food. He was 4 months, eating 4 8oz bottles a day and was hungry still so I started introducing baby food. I'd like to get him eating what we do sooner rather than later. Can I just start trying? Any tips would be great. Thank you

ETA: he's currently 5.5 months

[cdseno]

Feb 1, 2015 10:49:59 GMT -5 prairiegirl said:

Can someone let me know a little bit more about BLW? If I understand correctly, they eat basically mushed up versions of what you eat? I've started LO on some purées. Some I've made, some baby food. He was 4 months, eating 4 8oz bottles a day and was hungry still so I started introducing baby food. I'd like to get him eating what we do sooner rather than later. Can I just start trying? Any tips would be great. Thank you

ETA: he's currently 5.5 months

It isn't really even mushed up. You can just give them bite sized pieces of the soft foods you are eating. Essentially you just put the food on their tray and they learn to feed themselves. Do you by chance have a Nook? I have the book and can "lend" it to you if you do.

[annapunkalunka]

Feb 1, 2015 10:24:26 GMT -5 DVMmomma said:

Feb 1, 2015 9:57:33 GMT -5 annapunkalunka said:

We just started yesterday. I gave LO some steamed baby carrots. She was so cute! I will admit I'm not a fan of the gagging, but it was only her first go, so I'm sure she'll get better! I think our dog loves it more than anyone! I'm thankful to have a little furry vacuum cleaner.

I was shocked at how quickly the gagging went away in our babe! 

That makes me feel better! Thank you

[briarrose]

We are doing BLW. LO is 5.5 months and I have just started handing him stuff when we are eating sometimes, banana, bread, etc. He really doesn't care at all right. He mouths things but that's it, which is okay because I wasn't intending to start this early, and I am still loving my EBF poop cloth diapers.

[daisylola11]

We've got till the 12th for his 6mon appt. but he's had little tastes of banana and avocado. So far he is weirded out by the texture (obviously) but he is "chewing" instead of the tongue thrust.
Question: there's still specific foods that are avoided with BLW right? Like strawberries, honey, peanuts? I'm gonna read the book soon but as a FTM I'm wanting to do a couple purées at first.

[HazyGrey]

Officially Waiting till she is 6 months (in 6 days)!! Her tongue thrust just went away. I've already given her a couple of things like an orange slice, green bean, and carrot to gnaw on and she loves it! She is obsessed with food when she sees us eating! Can't wait to start! I still need to finish the book

[inaya]

We're doing a few purées and cereal now but plan to do finger foods/BLW when she hits 6 months. She did take a "bite" off a banana the other day but spit it right back out.

[those3words]

Feb 1, 2015 13:07:49 GMT -5 daisylola11 said:

We've got till the 12th for his 6mon appt. but he's had little tastes of banana and avocado. So far he is weirded out by the texture (obviously) but he is "chewing" instead of the tongue thrust.
Question: there's still specific foods that are avoided with BLW right? Like strawberries, honey, peanuts? I'm gonna read the book soon but as a FTM I'm wanting to do a couple purées at first.

No honey until 12 months because of the chance of botulism.

The book had a chapter of what to avoid. There are very few things to avoid. Like whole grapes or cherry tomatoes should be avoided until age 3 because of cooking concerns. Nothing with too much sugar or salt.

The book suggests starting with things in stick form so they can grasp it easily.

I cut bananas, sweet potato, brussels sprouts, and avocados into fry like pieces. I also have him green beans (the long ones, steamed). At 6 months he hasn't had an issue gumming those.

The book want really into purees art the beginning.

[those3words]

Feb 1, 2015 12:50:09 GMT -5 briarrose said:

We are doing BLW. LO is 5.5 months and I have just started handing him stuff when we are eating sometimes, banana, bread, etc. He really doesn't care at all right. He mouths things but that's it, which is okay because I wasn't intending to start this early, and I am still loving my EBF poop cloth diapers.

Sorry. Mobile. Choking not cooking concerns.

Feb 1, 2015 13:33:10 GMT -5 those3words said:

Feb 1, 2015 13:07:49 GMT -5 daisylola11 said:

We've got till the 12th for his 6mon appt. but he's had little tastes of banana and avocado. So far he is weirded out by the texture (obviously) but he is "chewing" instead of the tongue thrust.
Question: there's still specific foods that are avoided with BLW right? Like strawberries, honey, peanuts? I'm gonna read the book soon but as a FTM I'm wanting to do a couple purées at first.

No honey until 12 months because of the chance of botulism.

The book had a chapter of what to avoid. There are very few things to avoid. Like whole grapes or cherry tomatoes should be avoided until age 3 because of cooking concerns. Nothing with too much sugar or salt.

The book suggests starting with things in stick form so they can grasp it easily.

I cut bananas, sweet potato, brussels sprouts, and avocados into fry like pieces. I also have him green beans (the long ones, steamed). At 6 months he hasn't had an issue gumming those.

The book want really into purees art the beginning.

[eena1242]

We were going to wait until 6 months, but LO decided he was ready when he stole pizza crust from my plate and gummed it soggy. I was like:


Since then he's had steak, chicken, ham, avocado, a French fry, and lots of carrot sticks. I still get a little nervous because he sometimes forgets he's sitting up, and will lunge to get things in his mouth and end up falling forward. When he eats he's in his high chair, but still lunges forward like he's attacking the food in his hands. I'm terrified he's going to choke.

[gingy]

I'm waiting until 6 months, so we still have another to go. I thought I was really into BLW, but as we get closer I think I'm losing my nerve. It just seems way scarier than I thought to give her food. I did give her a raw carrot to teethe on, and I was ok with that, but she also wasn't getting chunks. I may do a few purees in a few weeks to make sure the thrust reflex is gone and assess from there.

[prairiegirl]

cdseno I don't have a nook.... I have a kobo... But you did remind me that I downloaded a book in BLW before LO was born!

[gahorseygal]

We have tried carrots, sweet potato, banana and avocado. Sweet potato has been the favorite so far.

I'm thinking we may do cereal in the mornings to mix in some breast milk. She gets so distracted eating during the day and I think this will help her get some more calories. I have been very anti cereal bc I feel like there is no nutritional value. Thoughts anyone?

[daisylola11]

About adding breastmilk to the solids, besides oatmeal/cereal does anyone add it to other puréed foods? Or give in like a sippy cup? I haven't pumped at all and was thinking about getting a mini stash going for this. Although it will make me sad if say he didn't finish the food and that BM is wasted.

[gahorseygal]

We have put formula in a sippy cup since I don't want to waste BM. That way if she does get some it is at least nutritious and I don't mind if that gets wasted.

[coleyj88]

Feb 1, 2015 10:22:14 GMT -5 DVMmomma said:

Feb 1, 2015 9:19:40 GMT -5 coleyj88 said:

I'm so glad this is a thread! We're going to try BLW this time around. LO just turned 5 months though so I have to be patient just a little longer

My DD just turned 5 months Jan. 23rd. She was more than ready to start dabbling in foods though. When we put her in her high chair now, she just stares at us and whines until she gets a plate of food. She's certainly no expert at the mechanics of eating and most of time times has us put food in her mouth. We try to hand her something and instead of taking the food, she takes our hand and brings it to her mouth. We're not doing a by the book BLW though and just kind of rolling with things. I'm also probably too lax on things and I don't worry about allergies or her choking. Within reason of course. I'm not going to give her a peanut.

This morning she had some egg and hash browns  


We never worried about allergies with DS1. There is no history of it in our family and our pediatrician said the earlier you introduce something the less chance they will develop allergies to it. I'm sure LO would be ready now as he already is sitting up and putting things in his mouth. I'm just trying to hold out a little longer. I do feel a little guilty though when we put him in the highchair with fake food!

[coleyj88]

Feb 1, 2015 19:15:14 GMT -5 daisylola11 said:

About adding breastmilk to the solids, besides oatmeal/cereal does anyone add it to other puréed foods? Or give in like a sippy cup? I haven't pumped at all and was thinking about getting a mini stash going for this. Although it will make me sad if say he didn't finish the food and that BM is wasted.

For DS1 we used BM to water down purees. For cereal we did either the Earth's Best brand oatmeal or we ground up our own oatmeal and mixed it with BM. It was a little sad when the food wasn't eaten, but at least it was a very small amount.

[Courtniko]

DD is a few days over 6 months now. I wanted to try out BLW this weekend, but never got the chance. I am so nervous! We bought avocado, so I will try that with her sometime this week. I watched some videos on YouTube yesterday, so I feel a little more confident in what I am doing.

I am going to miss those BM only diapers foe sure.

[cruelsound]

With each kid we've tried both purees and BLW and then kind of go from there. Oliver DEFINITELY is more into the BLW so, once we finish the cases of purees, we'll go with that exclusively. He just is so excited to eat that he has a hard time being patient holding onto the food and then eating. He furiously grabs for it and then shoves it in his mouth, sometimes the food falls out and he tries eating his hands.

[cruelsound]

Feb 1, 2015 19:07:00 GMT -5 gahorseygal said:

We have tried carrots, sweet potato, banana and avocado. Sweet potato has been the favorite so far.

I'm thinking we may do cereal in the mornings to mix in some breast milk. She gets so distracted eating during the day and I think this will help her get some more calories. I have been very anti cereal bc I feel like there is no nutritional value. Thoughts anyone?

www.amazon.com/Feeding-Whole-Family-Recipes-Children/dp/157061525X/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422888302&sr=1-5&keywords=natural+family+cooking

That book has some great homemade cereal recipes in it. I'm at work and can't type out our favorite recipes, I'll try to do so when I get home. I buy the grains in bulk, do a mix for the cereal and store it in a mason jar, then grind it and cook when it's time to eat it. My kids have all LOVED the cereals when they first started foods and, because I got to choose the grains, I felt like it wasn't just filler with no nutritional value. I'll see if I can find any of the recipes online and will edit and post here if I do.

[annapunkalunka]

How many times a day do you all give your LO's solids? We've only done 2 days and typically offer them sometime after her morning nap, so just once a day. Today, though, I'm working and LO is with my mom. I didn't feel comfortable giving her some carrots while I'm not around since it's still so new, so she won't get any solids today. Does it matter, where it's still so new for her?

[DVMmomma]

Feb 2, 2015 10:36:55 GMT -5 annapunkalunka said:

How many times a day do you all give your LO's solids? We've only done 2 days and typically offer them sometime after her morning nap, so just once a day. Today, though, I'm working and LO is with my mom. I didn't feel comfortable giving her some carrots while I'm not around since it's still so new, so she won't get any solids today. Does it matter, where it's still so new for her?

Nope, doesn't matter. At this point it's all about learning for her and not about getting nutrients. My LO gets solids sometimes twice a day and sometimes not at all. Be prepared for a game of "what will the poop be like today?!" but other than that, they don't care. Except I swear mine was watching me eat breakfast today like "don't you think I didn't realize you didn't give me any solid food yesterday"

[DVMmomma]

Feb 1, 2015 19:07:00 GMT -5 gahorseygal said:

We have tried carrots, sweet potato, banana and avocado. Sweet potato has been the favorite so far.

I'm thinking we may do cereal in the mornings to mix in some breast milk. She gets so distracted eating during the day and I think this will help her get some more calories. I have been very anti cereal bc I feel like there is no nutritional value. Thoughts anyone?

Mine's favorite is sweet potato too! I was also anti cereal but then my pedi told me it does have a fair amount of digestible iron and that's one of the first nutrients to be depleted in babies. I give it to her with breast milk and she seems to really like it. Sometimes I mix in purees to change up the flavor for her. I figure it certainly can't hurt and sometimes it's nice to have to wash down something if she took a big chunk of some other food. Makes me feel like I have something equivalent to a glass of water for us if we get something irritating in our throat. I realize that sounds silly. But that's me