infant led solids, have I stuffed it???

[julie_ann_jules]

Hi!
My DS is 5 months old and so far has only had boobie.
Over the last few days he has been feeding feeding feeding, i assumed that it was a growth spurt and have been feeding him whenever he wants it. DS always sits on my knee at meal times and enjoys chatting and eating (breast milk) with the rest of the family. about 3 days ago DS was trying to get his fingers into my meal (like normal) so i gave him a taste of sweet potato on the end of my finger. He loved it so much he began screaming, i gave him a little more he smiled tried to reach more then cried again for more. i gave him 3-4 little tastes and decided that was enough as he is only 5months. now everytime we eat he isn't happy with breastmilk he wants to taste what I'm eating. he threw such a big wobbly (trying to get to my lunch) in a restaurant today. when i got home he was feeding (for about the tenth time today) i caved and gave him farax (my folks has given it to me but i wasn't planning on using it). he gobbled up about 1/8 of a cup and was looking for more. he the breastfed for 30min after (usually he feeds for 5-10min)
he's still waking 3-4 times during the night for feeds.
I just dont know what to do! i really wanted to start him at 6months with fingerfood and skip the farax and purred food. i dont know what to do now! do i just refuse to give him solids for another 4 weeks or give him pureed food or can i start offering him finger foods??? i'm really not sure what to do now! i'm just sooooo tired and when he's trying to get the food i'm not sure what to do. my two olders boyes were on solids at 4months but i wanted to infant led this time..... any advice would be fantastic.

[MantaRay]

It's confusing, isn't it! I would say that if you are sure he is ready, to go ahead with solids the way you started - by giving him a taste of food on your plate. Some early foods which are good for infant led solids are steamed vegetables, and toast is ok too, so those things might be a good starting point. Even bits of tender meat should be ok. It is likely at that age that he will do more playing than eating, but that's ok!

[fionas]

OK, look I'm biased because to me "infant-led" means following the baby's lead, not the WHO guidelines re the six months and I started early (because DD was like yours and seemed very ready). So if it were me I'd go with the flow and offer things like sweet potato like you were before. If I had my time again, I wouldn't even bother with Farex.

[Toomanytoomany]

I think he is leading you! Good luck - my kids still don't like eating proper food and they're at school ;-)

[Daydream Believer]

DD started on BLS around 5 months from memory, steamed vegies & soft fruits, toast, etc

[[M]umma[M]ia]

just keep going the way u are going. See how he goes. Mayb check out the BLS chatter on here for some idea as to what to feed him. Good luck!

[julie_ann_jules]

Thanks everyone for your replies
I think I am getting mixed up with the WHO guidelines and not really following his lead! Because he really wants to eat what we are eating! Thanks again. I need to relax and go with the flow.
Thanks for the encouragment
Jules