confused by my baby's mixed signals, lol

[florabean1981]

Harry is just over 5 mths old & at 20+3wks, we decided to give him some baby porridge (the plain kind made up with some ebm or water) & he loved it. I gave it to him for 5 days, but he was giving me really mixed signals as to whether he was truly ready for solids or not. So I decided to stop giving it to him for 3 days, to see if was more unsettled/crying for food etc.
On the 3rd day, he was watching us intently at dinner, chewing when we chewed & getting quite agitated. I picked him up & he was grabbing for my cutlery & opening his mouth, holding his hands out towards the food, so i figured, okay, this is a sign, i guess he must be ready. So, we started the porridge again & I was loading the spoon up, giving it to him & he was putting it straight to his mouth & doing really well.
I'm intrigued by the concept of BLW, so I figured we'd go round this route. My sister gave me some rusks that her LO doesn't eat anymore, so i tried harry on one (a banana flavour one) & he ate about a quarter of it, really sucking & chewing & doing great holding it & getting it to his mouth & stuff.
Yesterday, he choked... like really choked, went blue & everything & scared the living daylights out of me & now I'm really put off blw. I know it's just one bad experience & that gagging is normal, as is the occasional choking episode & also that harry probably doesn't give 2 hoots about it, but i worry about this kinda thing! (neurotic 1st time mum, lol)
Today, I haven't offered him anything other than his usual BF's (on demand) & he doesn't seem to care that he isn't having real food... so i feel likie i'm getting mixed signals as to whether he is ready or not for real weaning. I dont mind if we go for TW or BLW tbh, but either way, I want to be sure I'm doing what's best for him & at the best time for him...
So i guess my real Q is: should I hold off weaning properly until he's 6mths old (3 wks away or so) or should I keep going with the TW & introduce finger foods at a later stage when he seems more ready for it??? Or should I just keep BFing for now & just see what happens?
Confused I am!!!!

(jesus, sorry that's turned into a really long post!)

 

[lyre]

i agree, its all really confusing. lol. sorry not much help, be interesting to see what others think x

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I think try again at 6 months, whether BLW or TW. If you're not sure if he's ready, and he doesn't seem to care if he has the solids or not, then there's no rush, is there.

 

[pharrison87]

Heya

Id keep him on the baby rice for a few weeks, soft and easy to swallow! Then gradually start trying him out on finger foods when he is 6 months. But if u feel you are worried its ok to stop xx

 

[Maffie]

I'm trying to stick to cereal/baby rice with the odd puree to try different tastes textures. I have to watch Noah now has he does grab food and eat it (very good at carrots) I think go with what feels right for you and Harry. I'm mainly BFing on demand and offering one 'meal' a day.

 

[florabean1981]

thanks for the replies so far

do you think it would confuse him if I stop now until he's 6 months?

i didn't offer him anything 'solid' yesterday & he didn't care at all & didn't behave any differently from usual, and he hasn't had anything other than boobie so far today & is fine, so I think the BFing feeds are enough to sustain him still for now. My heart is saying to hold out again until 6mths or until 100% sure he's ready, but I am feeling pressure from people around me (family & friends) to wean him because it's the 'normal' thing to do. It just kinda seems like a minefield, lol. Thankgod my OH is supportive either way, especially since he'll be the one cooking all the meals, hehe!

 

[lyre]

stick with bf if thats what youre happy with. ignore everyone else, its only your and your oh decision x