Noah weighed 13 pounds, 5 ounces at the end of June and yesterday he weighed in at 14 pounds, 14 ounces! The doctor was thrilled with this improvement and we even chatted a little bit about Noah starting solids. I know that traditionally, babies start with purees and rice cereal as early as 3 or 4 months but I really would like to try baby led weaning (BLW) which basically skips purees altogether. With this concept, you don't begin until the baby is 6 months old, when he can sit up on his own and shows interest in food. Once he does, you just give him sticks of soft foods to nom on and explore. Letting him squish it and spit it out is part of the process but eventually, he'll understand that - oh, if I put this stuff in my mouth, I get full and I'm not hungry!
Well, after discussing BLW with my doctor, I'm afraid he's a bit old school and still suggested starting Noah on cereals and such first, then moving into thicker substances and then soft foods. Now, don't get me wrong! There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, I know that BLW may not even work for us, and that's cool. If he doesn't take to it or has a bad gag reflex, we'll do purees. However, after reading the BLW book, I just can't get the idea out of my head. I figure, if he's capable of feeding himself, why not give him the opportunity to do so? Which is, essentially, the concept of BLW.
A few twitter and blog friends have done baby led weaning and have had great success with it so I can't wait to start next month and see how my little man does! If you're interested in learning more about baby led weaning, I suggest getting the book Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide to Introducing Solid Foods, which gives some great, real life stories about parent's experiences with the process as well as an introduction to BLW. However, if I'm being honest? I found the book a bit repetitive. It seemed like I could have gotten the same information in half the time! That's something I have heard other moms say even though they still recommend the cookbook. I need to purchase it and am anxious to see what foods I can make in this new adventure in food for Noah!
How did you start introducing food to your little one? Traditional purees or did you try baby led weaning? I love hearing other parent's stories!
19 comments:
OK. Seriously. That dude is ADORABLE. For real. Also - how is it possible that he's getting this grown up so fast?!?!?!?
We started with avocados then went to rice, but now looking back I wish I would have done BLW from the start. Some days it is hard for my 11 month old to only eat finger foods, he wants purees. He is getting better, but to think we would never have to make that change would be nice as well.
He is so stinking adorable!!!!
So glad he's growing perfectly.
yay for his checkup! maybe your doctor just isn't familiar with baby led weaning and therefore isn't comfortable with fully endorsing it when the other method with purees/cereal (also good) has been his norm. in any case, i think BLW sounds like a great idea and i hope it works out for you!
He's so cute! I'm glad he's growing and gaining like he should! :)
So wonderful that he's gaining weight! And I'm really intrigued by BLW, it sounds like such a great idea if it will work for you guys!
I'm so glad he's gaining weight!! I have a feeling we will start with purees just because I'm a wimp and scared she will choke herself. Of course we have a while until we get there. :) That picture is aaadorable!!
Hey, new follower and your baby is adorable! I started with avacado, yogurt and soft noodles. Now at almost 9 months he loves cheese cubes, soft veggies and fruit and pretty much anything and everything. :)
Noah picture! Okay, I'm done squealing over here. Glad his check-up went well. I hadn't heard of baby-led weaning, but it looks like a good method. I think a lot of doctors probably stick with what they know, even when it's just the traditional method.
Yay Noah!!! He's such a cutie.
I wish I had a parent story to share with you! But for now, I'm enjoying following along with your journey :)
Yay for a good weight gain!! We are going to do BLW too! I tried to give E a cheerio the other day and she nearly choked on it. So I'm a little worried, but I probably reacted too fast, but I mean, my baby seemed to be choking!
I love his cute little shorts!!!!!!! I hope you have a great experience with BLW but even if he doesn't love it, it's great he's gaining weight and looking A-DOR-A-BLE!!!
That is soo interesting! Awesome that everything is working out and he is gaining the weight he needs!!
He is such a little charmer... He probably wants ice cream like his cousin
We went traditional and C had a terrible gag reflex. Stuff had to be pureed a ton. I really don't think you can go wrong either way. Can't wait to hear how it goes! I just love him!
Oh man, he is so freaking adorable!!! ♥
We attempted purees for like, a day and they just weren't for my daughter. She wanted to hold the spoon and its was too difficult. She started eating softer foods just before 6 months and we never looked back! We had really great luck with puffed rice cereal (Cheerios were too hard at first), yogurt drops (either freeze dried from a store or frozen on our own), and soft fruits like peaches and pears! Good luck!
how interesting! my Landon is only 2 months but I've been trying to educate myself in which road to take!! Good luck!
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