we've just started BLW - the whole idea is you read their body language looking for readiness of wanting to eat.
for example Quentin can put up objects and co-ordernate them accurately to his mouth, can sit up unaided, also showing and interest in watching us eat.
he is just 5 months, they recommend not starting BLW til 6 months but i'm being led by him right!
his first taste of food was a rusk whilst i was eating a sandwich i gave him half and he knew exactly what to do with it - straight into his mouth.
I've started reading 'Baby led weaning" by Gill Rapely which basically goes on to say offer food off your plate, offer it in manageable sized pieces (ie finger sized at least)
don't help, they will find their own way, expect it to be messy. they will lick, squidge, touch, mush everything. don't interfere, praise etc mealtimes need to be seen as normal.
the key thing you need to understand is that beginning weaning is playtime they don't understand that food will nourish them and make them feel full. let them investigate and play with the food and milk should remain the focus of their calorie intake for a few more months, apparently by 9 months you can expect them to be taking in a good portion of what they're offered.
i've seen both my niece and nephew go through the stress of purees and introducing lumps etc. this way your only teaching them to eat once instead of learning to recognise foods several times - ie carrot smooth, mashes, lumps etc
