We did BLS with DS at about 5.5 mnths, in hindsight he could have waited a couple more weeks but we were excited being first time parents and all. He was sitting up by himself, he did have a pincer grip and was very interested in what we were eating.

I read about BLS in a few of those parenting magazines, also read about it on here and searched for video's on You Tube - which showed babies having food such as carrot sticks/brocoli etc.. as thier first food for the first time. This reassured me about the whole choking thing and convinced dp and so we have never given him mush. We started with steamed brocoli florets, avocado, banana and even fingers of cruskits (as they just melt into nothing so to speak) we never had a choking incident. Babies do have a gagging reflex so as long as the food is soft it can't get stuck in the osephaugus it either has to go down or up, if that makes sense?! DS did gagg a couple of times as he loves to take big bites but he simply brought it back up, chewed/gummed it some more and swolloed again.

I am truly glad we have done this as he eats anything, loves his vegies, salad etc... My sister still freaks out when I give him some cuecumber and her children are 7 and 9