Around 5 months old, my little girl was showing interest in the foods we were eating. She was fascinated by cups of water, and mugs full of coffee. With her two bottom teeth poking through (ouch!), she was drooling up a storm, and putting everything in her mouth.
Strength is a prerequisite
At her 4 month appointment with the Pediatrician, we were encouraged to begin feedings of baby cereal and jarred baby purees around 5 to 6 months old. I was interested to hear that the recommendation for food readiness included an assessment of baby’s neck strength. Having enough strength in her neck, and being strong enough to swallow, move her tongue effectively, and chew, were all things I hadn’t actually considered prior to this appointment.
Armed with this new knowledge, I was excited to begin the journey of introducing new foods. I like to think that we eat pretty healthy in our house. Lots of fruits, vegetables, and protein; while also trying to be low in our sugar intake. Now don’t get me wrong, being from Wisconsin, Cheese is a food group for us. So we do indulge every so often, but try to keep conscious of what goes in our bodies.
I planned to do the same for Baby Ei. So I took to the internet, trying to find support and ideas for something called Baby Led Weaning. I wanted Baby Ei to get exposure to the foods that we frequently eat, since those are likely things that she’ll see a lot of as she grows. I also wanted to give her control of her food, mainly to involve her in our meal times, and also to let her learn through exploration.
Relying on others
The internet proved to offer a TON of info, though it was challenging to sift through so many conflicting articles. Some referenced CDC Guidelines, some listed Pediatric Journals, and most were just personal experience articles. I read diligently through several of the sited medical works, feeling assured that at least the information in those articles seemed to be uniform.
But the one thing that really stood out to me what that there was so much promotion of jarred, store-bought baby foods, and baby cereals. The problem with this, was that these foods weren’t what we were eating at our mealtimes.
Now don’t get me wrong, store-bought baby foods are safe, simple and can be very healthy for introducing new foods to your baby. I am a stay at home mom, who loves cooking and preparing fresh meals, and I’m a bit picky about knowing what’s going into my, and my families bodies. (Yes, you will occasionally find me elbow deep in a Cheeto bag). So I have the time, and desire to make homemade meals for my family, which is what led me online for ideas in the first place.
Even after scrolling through countless articles of other moms who’ve embraced Baby Led Weaning, there was one thing I was left wondering… Can I really only feed my baby avocado, over-ripe pears and banana? It seemed like the list of baby-safe foods were confined to those three.
Going Rogue
I steamed everything fresh vegetable I could think of, until it was soft enough to easily squish between two fingers. I sliced up every fresh fruit I could find, removing any tough or flaky skins. I’m not normally an “Organic is the only way” shopper, but I figured I’d jump on that bandwagon while introducing new foods to the baby.
It took a few days, but I was getting the feel for what was going to be easy to make ahead, and what took a lot of time to prep. I was beginning to feel comfortable with the decisions I was making in what to feed my infant, and it was feeling good.
Watching Baby Ei like a hawk while she explores with Baby Led Weaning, has helped me to understand her eating patterns, and her likes and dislikes.
There are so many things I experienced while introducing foods, like identifying choking vs gagging, adding spices/textures, the millions of faces she makes with each new food, allergen identification, and so on. But this article in truly intended to excite you about Baby Led Weaning, and to encourage you to embrace the journey how it best fits your lifestyle!
I’ve created a Downloadable PDF for Momma’s as they begin their own Baby Led Weaning journeys. It breaks down how to get started, and gives some ideas for new whole foods to try with your little one. Let’s create positive food relationships for our little ones!
Be sure to comment below with some of your favorite Baby Led Weaning foods & recipes! And remember to always make sure you’re following all safety guidelines and doctor recommendations for safe food introduction.
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