Baby led weaning??

[lollyone]

Hi all.
My baby is almost 5 months old and has suddenly gotten very hungry over the last few weeks. So I've been looking into starting weaning and keep coming across this 'baby led weaning'.
No mush or purees, you just allow bubs to pick up cooked veg and strips of soft stuff and let them try things for themselves with their fingers. Apparently, the risk of choking is no more than usual as they dont have to 'suck' the food from a spoon.
I was a VERY strange eater as a child (make up for it three fold now though, lol) and so I like the idea of allowing her to try new things at her own pace.
Has anyone tried this??
I don't know anyone who has and would like to hear if you have. Sounds too easy to work to me.
Thanks

[upsydaisy]

Hi Lolly - my friend has been doing this with her son and it seems so much more logical than going down the puree/mush route! I'm pregnant with my second child and (all being well with pregnancy/baby) will def go for baby led weaning. It means your child will quickly be eating the same foods as rest of the family and be much more independant at eating. My (wonderful in every other way!) boy is 2 and a half and is soo fussy - he wont eat sandwiches or fruit or veg alone- everything has to be mushed up and indistinct - which I think may have been as a result of the mush diet I worked so hard on whenweaning him. Good luck with whatever you choose. Am sure your health visitor can give you more info. x

[crazycathy2]

I did this with my younger son but he was 6months - so much easier than liquidising everything. Wished I'd done it with my first one.

The first thing Ben had was melon - messy- but he soon started eating loads of veg and fruit and bread. It was so easy to go out as I could literally feed him things from my plate without having to mash them up. He has a more varied diet than my elder son as he is less fussy. I like to think it is because I chose this method but could be because he is naturally a less fussy child food wise .

Give it a go. I have to say my HV wasn't keen but it worked for us.

[tamborine]

Your babe hasn't got many teeth so it could only suck foods. The suction of babies is quite strong so it could easily choke on anything tough....better to serve the 'mush' for safety. I can assure you your babe wont be eating mush when it's 20.

[crazycathy2]

Babies have surprisingly hard gums at this age and tend to gum the food. It's a natural thing to do as most of them put everything into their mouths anyway - why not food?

Got to say Ben didn't choke but then you don't actually give them hard food to begin with. My GP said they are in no more danger of choking than on anything given on a spoon.

Each to their own but if you haven't tried it you can't knock it.

[lollyone]

Thank you.
I didn't expect two positive replies to be honest.
tamborine- thank you for your reply. I wouldn't dream of giving her anything too tough. And will be watching her very closely.

I think I will give it a try. I know how bad I was at eating and it was more to do with textures in my mouth than anything else. Just would like to avoid this with my daughter.
She definately does have hard gums and a heck of a bite on her!
My health visitor is reluctant as always, to commit to telling me anything. Its frustrating. Its always 'the guidelines' this and 'the guidelines' that. Never a simple yes or no or any of her own opinions.
Thanks again.

[Allykitten]

I think health visitors and other officials always quote "the guide lines say" so they can't be blamed for bad advice which is hardly surprising given the current climate.

Can't say I tried this but it does make sense. Good Luck with it.