I have seen a lot of kids in my 10 years in childcare. I reckon at about 15 months, I can tell the BLSers from the rest, without any prior knowledge. BLSers are really good in terms of the motor skills associated with eating, and I reckon a slightly higher proportion are less fussy (does that make sense? tThey're not all un-fussy, but I reckon they're a bit better)
But, remember too that there are other reasons for rejecting foods, like mild intolerances or psychological associations (like my sis won't ever eat cheesecake because she had eaten some shortly before something traumatic when she was 4 or 5.)
Definitely, definitely do the BLS though.
Darcy is a fabbo little eater and we did BLS (really unintentionally - I was a bit lazy when it came to making baby food).
BUT I don't know if some kids are just predisposed to being great triers and eaters and some kids aren't IYKWIM?
We didn't do BLS as such. DS1 started solids before he was 5 months so we started him with mushy stuff, but he was eating quite a variety of stuff with his hands by about 6 months. Anyway... he is a great eater, has only started to get picky now at 2 1/2. Still eats most things, just decides which days he feels like eating them. If we wait till 6 months with DS2 then I will skip the purees and do the BLS thing.
I think the main reason BLS kids are better eaters is that they are eating similar foods to their parents early on, so you may have to pretend you like some foods you don't for a while so they can see you eating them. I think I am a less fussy eater now because I didn't want my son to be fussy.
Have done BLS with DD2 and the traditional way with DD1. So far DD2 is the far better eater, good enough by our standards, she eats most things, but is not a right little piggy. DD1 is much fussier, she did show that she wanted to do BLS, but I had never heard of it before and panicked at giving her finger foods when she was meant to have pur?e. I do think thought a part of it is also due to their personalities, DD2 is a bit more laid back overall.
BLS is so much easier than the old way, so even if they do not end up being a "better" eater, it is just worth it for the time saved on food prep.
#1 - mush and stuff - fabulous eater and will still have at least a taste of everything I present
#2 - BLS but when still didnt eat much - bit of mush - still doesnt eat much and a small variety!
#3 - tried to stick with BLS - but he got to 9 months and still would have only a very small amount so had to tweak it so he would start to eat something - and now he does a mix of spoon and BLS.
I didn't do BLS with DS1 and it took a long time before he ate well. And he is still not as good as DS2. I did BLS with DS2 and he has been a brilliant eater from the beginning - he eats a lot and a huge variety of foods, and especially loves fruit and vegies. I think the BLS certainly helped with this, but I do also think it's a personality thing.
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