All for trying new things which might be better for him and me I heard about baby led weaning which although new to me isn't actually new.
Baby led weaning is a great and natural way of introducing your little one to real food at his (I will be using he but of course it can apply to she too) own pace. I'm still new to this but it definitely seems like the best and easiest way for me to get little man to try real food. Its fun, easy and I can keep breast feeding full time until he is ready to eat more solids. It is not recommended for babies to eat solid food before 6 months (la leche league,nhs)
Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do. (surah baqarah, ayat 233, Qur'an)
I've started reading a great book by Gill Rapley&Tracey Murkett called baby-led weaning and so far very useful. Will post what ever new info I learn. My baby is 25 weeks old and so I thought it was time I found out what signs I should look for to find out if he could start to try something other than my full-fat mama milk. He has been taking baby sips from my glass so I was very excited (if a little nervous) about the idea of letting him explore food.
The book explained very clearly what is and isn't a sign:
Not a sign if:
- baby wakes at night
- weight gain slows
- baby watches parents eat (little man stares at all my food and pretends to chew)
- making lip smacking noises
- not falling asleep straight after milk feed
- if baby is small or big
- sitting up with little or no support
- reaching and grabbing things with accuracy
- gnawing on toys
- making chewing movements
Day 1: We bought a fabulous high chair from babies r us. Plastic seat so easy wipe as we expect this will be a messy journey. So excited to set it up and try it out. I downloaded (from netmums) this list of finger foods to make sure I got something appropriate.
- chunks or slices of carrot, broccoli, potato, butternut squash etc (cooked until soft)
- pieces of banana or melon
- strips of lightly buttered toast
- plain rice cakes
- unsalted bread sticks
- pieces of cheese
- chunks of apple, peach or pear
- slices of avocado or cucumber
- soldiers of eggy bread (but be sure it’s cooked all the way through)
- strips of pancake or omelet
- mini sandwiches with mashed avocado, humus, cream cheese or banana in them
- cooked pasta shapes
- pieces of cooked meat, fish or well-cooked eggWe sat little man in the seat, bibbed and ready. Our chosen food was cucumber and banana. Banana was this first to be tried but it was so slimy that he soon gave up. The cucumber was a bigger hit. It was sucked til it was floppy. He chewed a little but mainly sucked it. He was sad when it was all gone. (when I thought it was the end of the dead cucumber). A definite success.Day 2: Lunch time presented little man with bread soldiers, plum and again some banana. The bread was brill.easy to hold and swallow even if this new sensation can make them gag a little to start. The plum was in pieces but this nearly slid down his throat to I gave him half and this was a huge HIT. It was all over the place but most of it was eaten. Even the banana was partially consumed. Yay!
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