Baby-led solids: Where on earth do I start???

[Melody7]

Hi,

As an attachment/natural-style, co-sleeping, babywearing, fully-breastfeeding mummy of an almost 6 month-year-old I have been pondering what to do about introducing solids. Having recently come across the idea of "baby-led solids" (BLS), I've become quite excited as this approach seems to fit much better into our parenting philosophy than the standard feeding of pureed foods (that seems to be the only way people know how to start a baby on food).

Having said that, I am finding it really difficult to find any substantial literature on, specifically, how to start! I don't even own a high-chair as yet and I suppose you need one so bubs can make lots of mess

I'm an ABA subscriber and have read their recent article on BLS and am also aware of the DVD, but cannot justify $125 for 13 minutes!

I'd welcome any advice people could give me regarding the type/size of food and how it should be prepared. I'm surrounded by puree-feeding mums and so have no-one else to ask...

[Trillian]

I'm going to follow this style of feeding this time too, although we have just started on cereal for now till he has adjusted to the idea of eating, but he has had an arrowroot biccie and managed that fine.

Start with what you naturally start with (low allergenic foods - mostly fruits and veges) and soften them a little by either par-boiling or steaming (which is no different to what you would do if you did the 'traditional' method of purees, then finger foods - it is just skipping the puree stage) and give them small and easy to manage pieces. It is hard at first when they haven't quite got the knack of picking up things (depending on their level of manual dexterity) but they do get the hang of it pretty quick. having a high chair will make the job a lot easier, or you could sit him on your lap at the table and do it that way until you get a high chair - either way you have to sit and watch them. There are mesh feeders you can buy, but we don't eat our food through a mesh feeder and the whole idea of it is for them to eat family foods.

[pip2jays]

I second the PP. I started at 10 months. you dont have to start at 6 months breast nilk is quite enough if that is all bubs shows interest in or you are the very lazy AP parent which is my leaning..LOL..the whole point is to let baby know when he wants solids in a genuine way. ( as opposed to the curiosity to handle everything we handle and not being particulary aware its food KWIM?) the longer you leave it the easier it is. Studies show that if you leave them to their own devices and wait to start closer to 12 months they all end up eating the same types of food naturally ( finger foods/ table foods,) as their puree led buddies who started at 6 months ( or 4 months ) the point is to skip the purees so it makes snese as you skip the spoon feeding and wait till they can feed themselves. I think it averages out to 9 months starting to get it.

I started with an arrowroot at 10 months, he got the idea to swallow pretty quick as the bickie dissolved in his mouth and we never had any chocking issues as he gagged once ( on a piece of pasta day 2 ) and he realised you have to bring it back and chew a bit more and that was that. so it pays to wait longer for the natural processes to kick in.and then just gave him whatever we were having and by the end of 2 weeks he was happily eating crumbed chicken breasts, rice, baked potato/ steamed veg and his all time favorite fish. Only special prep i did was to cut grapes in half so his gums had traction on the fruit. He didnt get any teeth till 11 months..LOL

I followed the allergy guidelines and intro'd suspect foods a little later so you would have to think about that but we have no history with any of my 3 other kids or family so it was pretty safe going for us. He is now 16 months old and the best part is I go to cafe's, parties, friends places etc..and never have to take any provisions. I have boobies and he snacks of my plate.. pure bliss after the rigmarole of the other 3 kids.. any hoo.. it was for me and it was so traumatic with horrible eaters I wish i could go back and do it this way then..

Oh yeah, we dont use a high chair. He is so used to sitting in my lap and sharing my food. Never squirms or tries to get away as its always exciting what is mummy getting..LOL.. One drawback when he is done he pushes my plate away, but Im not done..LOL..Carry lots of wipes and go for it.

I highly recommend it if you want advocates them my experience is it. Each bub is different I guess and its best to follow their lead.

good luck.

[MantaRay]

Melody, firstly, there is no need to get too hung up on starting right at 6 months. Your baby might be ready by then, but also might not be. My first DS didn't have any interest in solids until nearly 12 months, my second was quite ready by 6 months.

I would say that the place to start is with the food that you are preparing anyway for you family. As Trillian said, you can steam or par-boil nearly any vegie and they can eat is as finger food - either fingers, or small cubes work well. The ABA have a great booklet on starting solids - it's only $5 and I found it really helpful. The idea is really to get your child eating the family foods as soon as possible and make life easier for everyone. I basically followed infant-led weaning with DS2 without really knowing that's what I was doing, and he was eating the family meals with us before he was 12 months olds. He has always been a much better eater than DS1 who started on the purees (not that he ate much LOL!).

There is no one right way to do it. I would just follow your instinct - watch for the readiness signs of teeth, losing the tongue-thrust reflex, and showing an interest (being aware that reaching for food alone is not a sign). Then when you feel the time is right, start out with one food at at time (to watch for allergies), and introduce it slowly. Don't be too stress about choosing which food to start with. Just be aware of the guidlelines for allergy risk foods such as egg, dairy, nuts, strawberries etc and go with what you are preparing anyway. If you are relaxed and flexible (and prepared for mess LOL!!) you will be fine. GL.

[Melody7]

Well, we've given solids a go, and I must say, BLS definately seems to be a much nicer way to offer a baby food (IMO). Ethan has had pear, avocado, banana, steamed sweet potato and a peeled grape (that I held while he sucked/munched). He has had a great time just mushing the food in his hands and trying to put it in his mouth (with and without success at times ).

This approach seems to be a lot more empowering than shovelling a spoon into his mouth. He chooses what he wants to eat and regulates how/when it goes in his mouth.
I was actually really interested to see him take a piece of food, put it in his mouth and then bring it forward with his tongue if it was too big and start again. I thought "that's my big boy!" - taking control of his own food and eating

And yes, he made a great mess, but that's all part of the learning process.

[pip2jays]

Sounds like it was what he was looking for. When they are ready then yes they really do know what to do with that tongue...LOL... No stopping him now.