By It’s hard to believe that L is already eating solid foods, but here we are! Before he arrived, I was set on making my own purees but in our prepared childbirth class, they recommended baby led weaning (BLW). I started reading about it after he was born and quickly knew that’s the path I wanted to take.
The premise behind BLW is that it teaches babies to feed themselves and to chew/move food around in their mouth instead of just swallowing like with purees, let’s them determine when they are full/what they want to eat (you give them options), and allows them to taste a wide range of foods since they are eating whatever YOU are eating!
In order to begin, there are a few things that have to happen first.
The book is a little dated and goes against new recommendations of introducing high-allergen foods. But our doctor recommended at his 6 month visit to do so early and often (unless of course you have an allergy in your family and then speak with your doctor. You may want to introduce foods in a controlled setting).
To each their own on feeding babies. You do what’s best/what works best for you and your family. Either way they get food in their bellies and will grow up to be a functioning adult who knows how to eat in front of other people. 💁🏼
Liam is very excited about food. But he always looks at Landon for approval when he puts anything in his mouth. He’s a big fan of anything that massages his gums like apples, cantaloupe, and cucumbers.
He does not like Greek yogurt but is loving spoon feeding himself guacamole, applesauce, and refried black beans.
There’s been no choking and only a little gagging. He is able to spit out what he doesn’t like or if he gets too much in there.
So far he’s tried chicken, steak, shrimp, salmon, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, potatoes, all colors of peppers, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, onions, carrots, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, strawberries, bananas, apples, blueberries, mango, cantaloupe, peanut butter, avocado, Greek yogurt, applesauce, penne pasta, feta and cheddar cheese, eggs and refried black beans. He’s only swallowed a tiny bit but he loves chewing on everything. His FAVORITE so far is banana peppers. DEFINITELY my child.
BLW definitely is encouraging us to eat healthier so that we don’t have to alter his meal. We just give him bits and pieces of whatever we’re having. We definitely are avoiding salt on our food and honey (that’s the only thing he can’t have!)!
He’s already eaten all of the high-allergen foods and had no reactions so we’re feeling good about that. I have no doubt he will be a little foodie like his parents!
Also, his dogs are really happy he’s entered the solid food stage of life. And he thinks it’s the funniest when they lick his hands. 🙄
Products pictured:
Chapel Hill Baby 