Introducing Solids - Advice Please!

[Lou9]

Hi everyone, my daughter is just over 5 months and is currently breastfed. I am beginning to read up on introducing solids, in preparation for her reaching 6 months, and wondered if anyone has any good book recommendations? I’ve read The Gentle Eating Book and the NHS leaflet the HV gave me but I am still undecided about whether to go for the baby-led approach, traditional spoon feeding or a mixture of both. I would like to give the baby-led approach a try but I’m just so scared about the risk of choking. I know the risks are minimal if I wait until 6 months and she shows all the signs of readiness but it still makes me nervous. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this is all new to me. X

[Hidden]

I followed the Ella’s kitchen book. We started with purée and did give baby some Ella’s kitchen puff crisps to get her used to finger foods as they dissolve easily. There was no way I was going to start with BLW but we did slowly move to it. She didn’t like lumpy purée so we had to go with BLW at around 7.5 months. She’s 9 months and I still hate it but don’t feel pressured to do BLW. It’s your baby you do what you feel comfortable with. My HV was useless and I feel very unsupported. Also food is for fun until one and that’s the most important thing to remember xx

[Lou9 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hidden thanks for your reply and for sharing your experience. Is it the worry about choking that you dislike about BLW? I like the idea of it but it makes me nervous! Xx

[Hidden in reply to Lou9]

I think it is probably that more than anything. I’m constantly on edge and no matter what people say about how it’s rare they actually choke it’s still scary. Also it’s the fact it’s so wasteful a lot doesn’t get eaten and goes everywhere. At least when we started with purée we knew what she was taking. I’m also a rubbish eater so it’s hard to think of different meals for her xx

[Lou9 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply Hidden . I managed to enrol on a baby resuscitation course today at my local hospital, it’s not until January but that’s not too far away. I think I’d feel a bit more relaxed if I knew what to do if she started choking. Think I’ll go for the BLW but also not rule out purée too. I have two dogs who are going to be hoovering up spillages... 🙈 Xx

[Hidden in reply to Lou9]

That’s a good idea. All my first aid courses in my area were on a weekday and no one around to look after baby. I’ve you tubed how to help a choking baby not that it’s the same as a course but it’s something. Good luck with BLW though your much braver than me xx

[Lou9 in reply to Hidden]

That’s a shame 😫 The course is from 7pm-8pm at my local hospital. Im hoping my mum will watch my daughter as my husband works nights. My plan is to YouTube it in the meantime! Xx

[friggens31]

I would maybe try a bit of both a see which your baby prefers my LO is 6 1/2 months so not that far in ourselves. We started with more purees but now he's got the hang of feeding himself he won't take much from me he'd rather do it himself. It has taken over2 weeks for him to properly get the food into his mouth and swallow it. He's coughed a few times as the sensations of the food going down and if he's bitten off a bit that looks too big I've taken it out but it's amazing in just a couple of weeks how good he's got. As for the waste I only give him 1 bit of each food at a time so for lunch yesterday he had bit of brocoli a carrot stick, piece of fish and piece if pasta yes he didn't eat much but 1 bit of each doesn't matter too much of not eaten then.

[Lou9 in reply to friggens31]

Thanks for your reply, it was really helpful. I think I’m going to give the BLW a go, but like you say maybe throw in some purée if and when required! Xx