MCHN says NO to BLS until atleast 9-10 months :(

[Visitor8]

Ash is 5.5 months and I started him yesterday So far he has had toast, banana (which was a BIG favourite), potato, sweet potato and broccoli.

[[M]umma[M]ia]

and he had no problem Mel?

[MummyTummy]

I saw my MCHN yesterday and she asked whether I was feedign solids yet or not. I told her I was doing BLS and she yelped with delight! Told me I was her role model and poster girl from now on. She gets really frustrated with people not wanting to try it.....

I started Jett just after 5 months, because very suddenly he started stealing food from my plate and stealing my husbands spoon at breakfast so we decided very quickly that it was time. We have never looked back, he eats and chews the food and doesn't actually play with it heaps, but enjoys trying all the different foods that we offer. He doesn't necessarily eat alot of the food, but certainly gives it all a go!

That was something else my MCHN said, that every child has a different start time and some people start it all too early and some start it all too late. Her advice is to watch for a few signs that your baby is ready, such as the intently watching you eat, grabbing for food and utensils, being around 6 months of age among others. But her thing was start when your baby is ready, not necessarily when you are.

[Visitor8]

Nope no problems Hollye He loves them! I sat down this morning with my breakfast and the boys breakfast planning on sitting with Ash after and giving him his toast so I could supervise (he has no high chair, just a bumbo) and he screamed at me lol

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Notice how quick their dexterity improves hun, it's amazing

MummyTummy - when I was in hospital in Nov-Dec I ordered adult meals for DS because I refused to feed him the pureed crap. After a detailed discussion about it with the MCHN and unit manager about what it is, the benefits etc, they have changed their whole unit policy and now do BLW with all the older babies that go through there. I was so impressed!

[[M]umma[M]ia]

well i will be seeing "my MCHN" tomorrow for Mia's 4 month check, ill be finding out what she thinks. If she doesnt agree and support my decision to do BLS then i will be going to another clinic. I would like support from this as i find there is stuff to learn and i dont want to ask her something if i know Im going to get frowned down upon.

I think we need younger MHN's. Coz most of the older ones still have in their head "when my kids was a baby, we did this....."

[MummyTummy]

CookieMonster - That is fantastic!! So they should too, but brilliant that they have now seen the benefits! Good on you!

Holly - I really think it is the individual MCHNs. Mine aren't young, but they seem to be up with all the latest research and really tend to be forward thinking. I haven't had any problems with them, even with Jett being small my MCHN looks at him as an individual and hasn't batted an eyelid about his lack of weight gains compared to the charts.

But certainly if you feel you aren't getting the support from your MCHN tell her to check it out with the Australian Breastfeeding Association. They recommend it!

[Junglemum]

Hollye- The prob with MCHN's is that alot of their advice is actually based on their personal opinion and experience ratehr than current research. Yes, babies used to only have pureed food, but as the article shows new research shows that there are many advantages to BLS. We started BLS at 5.5months and DD has done really well.

Like someone else mentioned, if there is an allergy issure, you can still offer just one finger food at a time. There is no difference between a carrot that is whole and one that is mashed.

Sounds like your fill in MCHN is a bit 'old fashioned" Might be worth seeing another one (if there is one). It is nice to get support for your choices rather than funny looks and dissaproving tones.

[[M]umma[M]ia]

just spoke to my regular MCHN.. and i told her i wish to start Mia on BLS when she starts soilds and u should have seen the look she gave me. So she gave me a lecture about how everything needs to be purred and then gradually increase thickness and lumpyness and no whole foods till this is done. So still about 9-10 months. Im shattered.. I dont know what to do. Im just sick of being judged.. and i dont want to go through it again IYKWIM..

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Just tell them to get stuffed! If you take control of the situation and say this IS what i am doing, instead of suggesting it they can say whatever they want, just bit them right back.

If you want any official articles, google Gil Rapley - and take it to your MCHN. If she is going to keep judging just don't go back! You don't need MCHN, they are there for support, but it isn't a necessity!

[[M]umma[M]ia]

thanks ash

Its hard not to listen to them coz being a 1st timer i feel like i should be doing what im told etc. But you are right.. stuff her!!!!! and there are other clinics i can go to.. so i might hunt around and see who else i can find. I just like taking her to get her weighed and get her reflux and stuff checked.

But...

having said that.. i dont see her again till Mia is 6 months and she will be on solids then and she wont be around to tell me what to do. Im getting to the point where i just agree with her and i think in my head.. "oh just shut the hell up, u crazy woman".

all i can say is....... BLS here we come!!!!! (soon.. mayb days.. mayb weeks.. mayb months)

[Junglemum]

Good on you Hollye. You do what ever you think is right. They don't make the rules they are supposed to be there as a guide and support. I don't think i even discussed BLS with MCHN, i just did the research and found my own way. I am sure you will do the same and be just fine.

[MummyTummy]

Or just do what I was going to do if I thought I wasn't strong enough to defend my decision

"Have you started solids yet?"
"Yes"
"How's it going?"
"Good"
etc.... little information of a very vague nature!!

I know what you mean about being a 1st timer wanting to do it right and not be judged for your choices....but that is where the support of BB can come to the rescue. Here you can research many different methods of raising your child and pick and choose what is right for you and know that whatever choice you make, you have made a well informed choice that is right for you. MCHN's only tend to follow their own training and the rule book that they are supposed to follow, rather than give you choices. It is only off their bat that they may offer you other options.... even mine who fully supports BLS never offered it as a choice. If it wasn't for BB I wouldn't even know it existed!!

[Visitor8]

Hollye I went today to see mine and when I told her about BLS cos she had NO idea, she pulled out her stupid book and started mentioning farex which I said no no no 3rd time around im not stupid and I told her to google it She said she would so maybe I have got her onto something new hehe she is young too In her 30's.

[belfie]

well my MHCN doesn't even want to see us again until 8 months.... go figure huh. At least I can just go ahead & start BLS on my own! lol.

Hollye - I reckon definitely go with what feels right for you. Your MHCN can say what she wants... but hey, if you only see her maybe once a month... whereas you're mothering Mia 24/7... not her baby, YOURS! And you've got to live with what's going on - not her. Trust your instincts And if you can find a different clinic/nurse I reckon go for it! Would be great if you could have an MHCN who is more collaborative & supportive.

[Ezz]

just spoke to my regular MCHN.. and i told her i wish to start Mia on BLS when she starts soilds and u should have seen the look she gave me. So she gave me a lecture about how everything needs to be purred and then gradually increase thickness and lumpyness and no whole foods till this is done. So still about 9-10 months.

phooey! I started DS with purees at 6 months & got so sick of him fighting the spoon from me (he's very independent) that we went to finger foods at 7 months. I just steamed vegies really soft (they were soft enough to squish between my tongue & the roof of my mouth without chewing). I watched him really closely at first & just kept offering him different foods as he was ready (eg it took him a few months to perfect toast - it always seemed to end up as a hard ball).

I would be waiting until closer to the 6 month mark though to do BLS.