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and bubbles? delicious!! he mooshes them onto his hand and eats them like mashed potato...
as for cleaning him up, we use cloth wipes with plain water. we have a huge stockpile - maybe 50 cloth wipes - which get used for everything ... and we use those silicone pelican bibs, which you just chuck in the dishwasher.
Hehe, ditto everything about bubs drinking the bath water!! DH spends bath time keeping her face out of the water, and hasn't put bubbles in since the first time she dove in to them lol. Swimming lessons are an exercise in keeping her mouth above water - she goes around with her mouth open like a fish hoping I'll let it dip into the pool :rofl:
However, I have been giving her a cup with water at every meal. She has four different kinds, and we have various degrees of success. She'll drink water out of a cup better than ebm anyway, which was our reason for introducing a cup.
To clean up DD after meals, I sit her on the bench next to the basin and give her a once over with a face washer and warm water. I've also started getting her used to a toothbrush, I give her little teeth a brush and then she chews on it while I clean the rest of her.
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Hey ladies. Thought I'd join in here as we've just started BLS with DS (just 6 months) and having a few problems.
Problem is... he's absolutely passionate about food! I gave him a banana this morning and I don't think I've ever seen him happier. He just grinned and chatted and gurgled as he shoved huge chinks into his mouth! Super, super cute. That didn't go down too badly - perhaps a slightly gurgly tummy an hour later, but no major dramas. BUT. On the first two evenings I just steamed him some veggie sticks and he hoed into them. Again, he was so happy. But swallowing large chunks and ended up with quite a sore tummy later. Tonight, I decided to just try him on our food - pasta with veg and tuna sauce. The bits were smaller and he was having difficulty getting them in and he completely cracked it. He was just sitting there desperately swiping at the food, trying to feed himself bits that were stuck inside his fist and crying at it all. I gave him a stick of mango that we were having for dessert but he squeezed it too hard and it broke, leaving him with the same problem. He desperately wanted it, but couldn't get it in and just got more and more upset. So I ended up helping him. Holding stuff in my fingers and then letting him grab my hands and guide it into his own mouth... happy and gleeful boy again. But he was literally sucking the chunks out of my fingers, giving them a cursory spin around his mouth and then swallowing them whole. And 3 hours later he was a very very very miserable little boy.
So WDID?
Just keep giving him our food so that he gets less in, avoiding the tummy pains but making him intensely frustrated when he really, really wants to eat?
Keep steaming him stuff that's easy-ish to digest - different from our food and there's not a whole lot of variety that I can think of?
Help him and physically give him smaller bits of stuff either with fingers or spoon so that he's not swallowing big chunks (I know then this isn't really BLS)?
Other suggestions?
I remember DD would get a sore tummy occasionally when she started solids, but she didn't really ingest much until 8 or 9 months. It looks like this little guy is going to eat (or try) anything and everything. His sleep is terrible as it is... I don't want to have it further disturbed by an upset tummy for months.
Also...
My MCHN said that it's fine to introduce potential allergy foods early now... that in fact, this may be protective against allergies. Wanted to check what you ladies are doing. Do you give your littlies eggs, satay etc.?
TIA xoxo
DS is also a very enthusiastic eater sounds just like your DS but we don't appear to have any trouble with tummy upsets. I have found I was holding stuff more for him or helping him get it in his hand far more than ever did with DD because he was getting so frustrated, but has just started getting better - he is just starting to work out how to get the stuff out of his fist - so the really frustrated phase only lasted a few weeks. I have also found that giving him something first like toast or a cracker prior to the 'real food' seems to help, he gets his hands and gums on that like a maniac and then is a little calmer after. He really likes the chomping (he is teething just got first two last week) so I have been giving him quite large bits of meat that he will chomp on for ages and ages - maybe that will work (could his desire be to be chomping on stuff due to teeth?), I do often have to fish a large chunk out of his mouth at end of meal and now always check before lay him down he hasn't stashed anything away in his cheeks.
Is not strictly BLS but I have one of those mesh things with a handle (can get in Woolworths etc) that I put things like mango in, is easy for him to grab onto and suck away at. As his coordination improves will stop using it, but currently Mango is just too slippery or smooshy and he is too frustrated and not patient enough.
I do help him with porridge a bit, not using a spoon really as he just is a maniac if you let him have one, but I put a little on his fist so he can get up to his mouth or he takes off my fingers. (The BLS stuff all says they should be getting it to their own mouth, and with DD wasn't an issue, but he just gets mighty cross, so if I help him a little and he catches some himself it seems to work)
I give him everything, he has had eggs, peanut butter etc - the only thing I don't give is honey before 12 months - I did the same with DD, everything I have read suggests that once they are on solids should have everything and the rules about no egg, or introduce this food before that etc are old information. I think there is something on the ABA site to that effect too. Not having to avoid anything makes life easy when you have a toddler trying to help feed the baby. :-)
DS sleep has got worse since starting solids in that he is waking up once or twice now, but I think is mainly due to isn't feeding enough in day as is distracted, but I am being a little cautious about giving him too much solids.
Hi
My little guy is four months today! So exciting!
What I want to know is what I should be looking for in him bein ready? He is sitting in his high chair with me when I eat breakfast - just so he gets use to the chair etc and he does have great head control but not sitting unassisted yet. Is it the sitting unassisted like on the floor without any back support or can sit in highchair and hold his head up alone?
Pretty sure it's sitting unassisted and losing the tongue reflex (where they push everything out)
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They're ready when they can feed themselves and actually eat :)
I'm so confused!! I came here and see MadB saying they are ready when they can feed themself and actually eat which is what I have always thought also but today my not even 5 month old (week to go) managed to get one of the 3yrs olds cucumber sticks and demolished it... literally, I watched it happen and couldn't even cross the kitchen quick enough!! What am I meant to think now... she isn't even 5 months, let alone 6 and DD1 had no interest till almost 9 months despite offering from 6 months so I am not ready or prepared!
She's a big bub... 99% percentile (almost 8.3kg at her 4 month needles) but ugh! I feel so conflicted... obviously, she doesn't need solids so I could hold off but then she is so grabby and seems so annoyed when we all eat and not going to lie, it would be convenient to have her play with food, it is such an interesting activity that keeps them entertained for ages (or maybe not if she can get it down so quick lol).
DP says she wouldn't have ate it if she wasn't ready, her tongue would have thrust it out right? She can sit unaided and has been able to for maybe a week or two... I just feel sick now and am stressing she is going to be unsettled now because I've let her virgin gut be disturbed lol. She's 100% breastfed.
I don't think I want to start offering and will sit her further from her sisters plate who is usually really good at protecting her goods haha but what do you suggest I do at meal times to keep her happy for the next couple of months? Anybody have any experience with this... she is such an opposite bub to my DD1.
well, she's certainly young! You're right, she doesn't need it, but it sounds like she may think she's ready :). Did she eat it or play with it? playing is fine. My DD was adamant that she needed food from before 4 months, but she couldn't actually eat till nearly 8 months! she was very frustrated.
You could try giving her utensils and bowls to play with instead at meal times....? But now she's had a taste.... it's up to you and what you're comfortable with. Maybe she is ready to start playing with food.
It was swallowed, was just like a circle of cucumber from a dismangled sandwich lol so not a lot but I was pretty shocked. My DD1 was all about milk (whereas I'm already predicting an early weaner with DD2 because she just isn't as keen) and just was not interested despite getting her first teeth before 4 months. I wouldn't mind her just messing around but I can't believe how bad I feel that she actually ate something... I don't feel comfortable or ready but then I feel conflicted because I have always been about following my child... it's really challenging everything I had thought before... I've given the advice a million times before "no harm in waiting so might as well wait" but to be faced with your own child, I just have realised that it isn't that simple sometimes! My DP is trying to reassure me to not feel too bad about the incident, it was such a small bit and at least it was just cucumber and she can't be too far off from ready if she managed to chuck it down herself but aaaaah, I'm terrible for harbouring guilt.
Think I will go with just giving her utensils and such. I know I feel uncomfortable with solids at this age... I'm just feeling confused though. You think the second time around will be easier but I can't believe how polar opposite the experiences have been... I was so much more fine with a child that just was not interested lol.
Oh jellyfish, it is confronting when we are faced with our beliefs that we thought wouldn't happen. Does she have any teething toys? Maybe that at mealtimes would give her something to do?
sent from the Hellmouth.
Hi girls - my DS is five months now so starting to get my head around the solids coming up.
When I start him on solids do I need to then keep giving some kind of solid every day? Or does it not matter if he misses days every so often?
Also can I start the first solids at say the lunch time of day? Or is it best to be breakfast time so that there is enough hours in the day to notice any reactions?
We started with lunch (roast parsnip & roast potato) a couple of weeks before 6mths and didn't offer food everyday.
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Hi girls - I was going to give DS some solids today but he just had a very watery poo ( much runnier than I've seen before) he is fully breast fed so not sure if this is diarrhea or not? He has had a cold lately and swallowing phlegm?
Wat I want to know is should I wait to start solids and for normal poo to return or not worry and this just one of those weird breastfeeding poos?
Are you doing BLS? Baby probably won't take much in at first, it's more of a play and explore.
Lol I gave him some and yes don't think it will matter much today haha it is fantastic seeing him exploring it lol but def not much going in!
Hi hoping u experienced BLS girls can help me.
I've returned back to work and my DS is five and a half months old. We tried some roasted sticks of sweet potato the other day and he had a great time but as u all know not alot was consumed. Daycare are saying they beleive the EBM is not satisfying him / he is grizzly after the bottle is finished and he is staring at the other kiddies eating. They want to start solids withhim but I think they are meaning puree's which I didn't want to do.
I don't know what to do... I can leave more ebm (at the moment he is having 200mls per bottle ( 2 bottles at day care over a 6hr period) or should I start solids but tell them we are only doing BLS or allow them to do the puree's there and BLS at home the other four days a week?
Any advice? To me I'm thinking maybe increase the milk for a week and then see what he is like?
When ds1 started solids at cc I sent some roasted carrot sticks for him and talked to them about bls - they weren't aware of it as bls but they were open to ds eating real food and as cc supplies food, ds started on their menu early on. I have no idea if they fed ds or if they let him at it (I can't remember if I asked or not about this) I know I discussed ds and his eating via bls with the baby room staff. The director was concerned about choking hazard with hard foods when we first sent food in so I remember having that discussion.
ETA I think my cc expects parents to supply puréed foods if going that route - that seemed to be what looked like happening in the baby room.
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Yeh - I have mentioned it to the daycare ladies a while a go (before he started) and they hadn't really share of it. They provide mornig tea (kiwi fruit / pear etc) so I think I might try him on pear over the weekend and then go speak to them Monday and maybe he can start some of their solids there.
Would u recommend also sending some more milk? It's all new the ebm bottles do I am still working out the right amount per feed. He is bout 8kg and has five feeds a day.
I think I was sending 4-6 ebm bottles of 120ml for ds1 to drink over the day around that time as well as him "eating".
ETA ds1 was 8.77kg at his 6mth checkup.
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Hi girls - just a question DS has been on solids for about two weeks and is going really well. Seemed to be eating things straight away with evidence in poo! Today tho he has done three pops in about 10mins (or one massive poo that I've been changing before he was finished lol) but he was crying while doing it. They aren't solid (well more solid then his EBF poos) but he is crying when getting them out.. Is this normal as they are learning about formed poos? There is no blood and not pellets at all?
They can get tummy upsets as they get used to digesting food. Make sure he is getting enough milk, and maybe slow down on the solids for a few days if he is still having issues.
We will be starting bls in a few weeks (although he has already sucked on a chip he stole and spat on my apple). He is way more interested than DD was at this age. I think i will go a bit slow cos he still has tummy issues and skin issues that we are trying to get under control and i don't want to complicate it too much too soon.
We started BLS two weeks ago when DD2 was 6 mths. She could also sit pretty well, although not for long. She mostly licked and sucked for the first week, but she is now putting it in her mouth like she knows what she's doing. She's trying a bit of whatever we happen to be eating. She's a lot keener than DD1 was straight away. She loves toast and bread and I have started finding little bits in her nappy, so something is def getting down. Meat was a hit too. She tried corn tonight, gagged a bit, brought it to the front of her mouth, but kept it in and chewed it down. She's gagged a few times, but not much. Each time she's sorted it out herself.
I've reminded everyone of the difference between gagging and choking so there's no unnecessary freak outs and DP and I remember what to do with choking. My Mum was amazed last week how well she could already handle toast and mandarin. Handy to show my sister with her newer bub and my pg sister how BLS works too.
DD2's fine motor skills are really quite good so I'm not surprised to see her manage the different shapes and textures so well.
It's so great watching them explore and learn about what food is!
:D
Question - I know you shouldn't give a baby honey, but what if it's in the ingredient list on the Greek yoghurt I bought today? I can taste it a little.
Poor DD2 had a sore tummy during the night so I only gave her a tiny bit of food tonight before bed. She had wind to pass that was making her unhappy. She was the same as a newborn while her digestive system worked things out.
I didn't give honey in any form until after 12 months (likely more like 24mths)
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DD2 is def not going to be a vegetarian - I gave her a piece of lamb from lunch and she sucked and gummed at it for ages. We were having lunch at a cafe and the waiter was stunned that she was eating meat and bread at six months with such enthusiasm. There are bits coming through in her nappy now.
DP made pancakes this morning and they were a hit! She still gags a bit, but figures it out. Certainly doesn't stop her coming back for more. Mandarin seems to be her favourite fruit - she basically sucks out the insides. If I give her anything on a spoon, she grabs the spoon, looks at it and then guides it into her mouth after studying it carefully. I'd love to see someone try to spoon feed her, because she doesn't open her mouth unless she's doing it herself!
Hello ladies, I thought I'd pop in and introduce myself as I've been reading through the BLS forums in anticipation - DD is five months and a week, fully breastfed and we are waiting until 6 months to begin solids though she is suddenly super keen on food. Today she lunged for my half eaten apple so I let her lick it and she loved it so much her eyes lit up and she grizzled when I took it away.
Hi LL! DD2 licked a few of my food pieces before six months, but she also licks everything she can pick up. ;)
It's fun to watch them explore food and I love that DD2 has controlled everything she's eaten since she was born.
DD1 gave DP a lecture on the difference between gagging and choking today. DD2 gagged on a bit of pancake and went all red, coughing it up. DD1 tells DP (who asked me if she was okay) that when she's red and making lots of noise like that, "it's just gagging, Daddy, she'll work it out". A few seconds later the offending piece was spat out. ;) DD1 is the BLS expert at six.
Yes I hear you on the licking. I'm pretty sure that if DD could tell me what she would like to begin with re solids it would be my handbag, based on her obsession with trying to eat it.
What is the difference between the look of gagging and choking by the way? I'm not sure I'd spot it?
We have started offering DS 'family foods'. I am going a bit slowly because he has had gut and skin issues, but he is pretty keen.
Even though i know gagging is part of learning, and i went through it with DD - and i am less scared of BLS than spoonfeeding mush, i still find that after a big gag session, usually followed by a spew with milk coming back up, i just have to pull the pin and try again next time. I know it is my hangup, not his. Anyone else do this too? I do recall doing similar with DD until she was more proficient.
So, in his first week DS has enjoyed dry roasted thick potato slices and pumpkin, he loved roast lamb. He wasn't really keen on cooked apple slices, but liked pancake. There were more fruits in season when DD started. It was also warmer so i would just strip her down to nappy and let her go.
I saw the MCHN yesterday who asked if we had started solids 'just a little bit of rice cereal, then?' :lol: i reckon it would be wierd feeding a 6 month old rice cereal- he can pick up his own real food and suck and chew!
How small do you cut the pieces of meat Hotl?
I give my dd strips so she can pick up and suck and chew.
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Yep, bigger bits are better so he can hold it in his hand and still have a bit out the end to suck and chew on.
Oh and yeah gagging is more like when an adult gets a bit of food stuck, lots of coughing maybe crying but they can still breathe. Proper choking their face will go red really fast and they can't breathe. A good move I have used in both situations is to lift arms above their head, food seems to pop back out.
Gagging is lots of noise and activity, usually followed by a big spit or spew to dislodge the bit that tickled the gag reflex.
Choking is silent (generally). It's when the food has gone down but lodged in the airway.
DD2 goes quite red when she gags! But she's not doing it much now, which suggests she's getting the hang of it. I wipe up any spit up and let her continue. Doesn't seem to bother her at all.
Hot1 - DD2 is eating rice. Why would she need rice cereal? ;) chilli con carne for lunch today.
So DD is 6 months next week and i have gently introduced avocado this week... Actually the avocado needed no introduction as the reason she is eating avocado is because she snatched some from me and ate it so I thought lets start now, and with avocado! Anyway this afternoon DH gave her an organic teething rusk as we also have teeth cutting ... Anyway she only ate a bit of it but about 30 minutes later vomited it all back up. Is this normal when bubba is brand new to solids?
Another question... How often do your babes eat? With most family meals? Immediately after a breast feed?
i'm not sure about the vomiting but with my ds I offered a bf and maybe 30 minutes later would offer solids and we did it to coincide with family meals. a lot of people start with dinner but we started with breakfast. we only added a new 'meal' every few weeks - so we let him get used to a meal for a while before the next. I sword to solids first sunbather around maybe 10-12 months but by then his feeds were really just a pre-sleep thing.
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we tend to do food then bf - because if we bf first, then there's no room for food!
we didn't have too much vomiting ... a little, but not much.
and we offer food every meal, but we really don't stress about how much they're eating, while they're still getting plenty of milk :)