When we started our BLS journey nearly five years ago I was hoping it would give DD good long term eating habits and avoid the eating problems I heard about. I remember worrying about DD not wanting solids for well over the first month and refuting the 'oh but she'll choke!' comments.
I thought some of you starting out on BLS might like to hear how it worked out for us in the long term.
DD went through a few fussy phases like all kids. But she was always offered what we ate. DP usually incorporates things she does like as well. Our only rules are to make an effort (at least try it or have a bit) and if you're too full to finish your dinner, then you're too full for desert.
DD eats really well. Her favorite foods are vegetables, particularly broccoli and other green veggies. The last thing on her plate to eat is usually the meat. If she gets to choose what we have for dinner you can bet her first two things will be veggies. If she wants a snack, she helps herself to fruit. We make our own bread at home (mostly wholemeal) and after a few days at Nana's last week she told me she liked the food better at home because she didn't like the white bread.
She is so good to take out to dinner because she will always eat something on offer. She doesn't always eat all of her lunch at school (too busy, apparently), but you can be sure the carrot sticks, pieces of cucumber and grape tomatoes will be gone.
Food is never a source of stress in our house. If she's hungry, she'll eat and I know she's eating well. I'm not sure how this will translate when she's a teenager, but right now she's good. Oh, and she knows what McDonalds is - it's a traveling treat for us - but she still can't pronounce it properly. Sushi is her favorite takeaway.
That's great to hear! My DS is going through the fussy stage at the moment so it's good to know (hopefully) he'll get through that! DD eats everything and her preference is also veggies
Thanks for sharing Jennifer. I try to promote some of what you have done with your DD - like trying something before saying you don't like it & no dinner/no dessert, which works a treat. We went backwards for a little while where DD only wanted to eat pasta for dinner but she is back on track eating what we eat now, which I am happy about.
We are also in the midst of fussy period for DS, but fruit is still always a winner! And I know that he always eats well at childcare so I suspect the fussiness is just rebelling against us. But he never asks for anything that isn't on offer, just refuses which we always say is ok but he doesn't get anything different or extra.
But it is good to know the extended outcomes of BLS!
I'll echo what Jennifer said - my BLS boy is the best eater at Nursery, eats most of his food at home, yes has some picky moments but they are moments. He happily helps himself to carrots and apples for a snack and loves helping buy food and cook with me (aka eat the raw ingredients whenever possible) at home. Yes, he likes burgers and fishfingers and icepops and popcorn - but will also eat half a cucumber in one sitting.
great post...... DD1 is prett much the same, loves her veggies and fruit. knows how much to eat too, i think that is one of the best things that came from BLS, she will only eat if she is hungry and stop when she is full and refuse the offer of pudding if she has had enough, so she doesnt over eat! and she picks health over unhealthy on her own, just casue she likes that stuff better....although she does like a bit of chocy every now and then these days she will ALWAYS try new things, and will tell me, sometimes i like 'such and such' and some times i dont. which is another good thing.
looking forward to doing it all again with dd2!!
after shopping the other day and a fridge full of goodies she asked if she could grab a snack out of the fridge, i was BFing dd2 so tolf her to help her self,out of all the things she could have picked she ended up eating a whole yellow capsicum....not really what id planned to do with it butby the time id finished BF ing baby and gone to see what she was upto it was pretty much all gone!!
So many things work for kids when you are able to hand over a bit of control and lead by example. BLS and your outcome is an excellent example of this.
This is awesome! Thanks for all the long term stories!
DD has been on solids for 8 monthd now and I'd say she is definitely not fussy, but does get sick of food fast! She is much better at feeding herself (with or without cutlery) than any other baby in MG. I've also never seen her choke or gag. I'm proud of my BLS bub!
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The proof is in the eating - 5 years after BLS
she will ALWAYS try new things, and will tell me, sometimes i like 'such and such' and some times i dont. which is another good thing.
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