earliest age for blw

[pa2k84]

I know blw is meant to stay as close to 6 months as possible and this was not an issue with my first, my second however had only not eaten yet because I have quicker reactions than him! He likes to sit on my lap at mealtimes and the amount of food I have had to remove from his hand is ridiculous! He is more or less sitting up, reaching and taking food from my plate, everything that he picks up ggoesinto mouth and I know he had lost his tongue reflux because of how he chews certain toys ( wraps his tongue right around links for instance) I am in no means planning on starting just yet but just wondered what is the earliest I could try as he did seem very keen!

 

[Erised]

DD1 started at around 5 months, she was the same as your little one. She kept stealing the food off my plate, and in the end I figured 'why not'. Basically she ticked all the boxes, she sat up straight while eating, would grab the food herself, bring it to her mouth herself, chew on it... if baby is the one doing it all, I'd just go ahead and let them (within reason of course).

I did try and limit it to certain types of food for a while though, like peppers, cucumber, toast, banana etc. Easy to hold and chew on type of food, not the 'grab hands full of sticky mash potato' type of thing.

 

[pa2k84]

well after saying won't be yet I gave in tonight and when he stole my piece of yellow pepper I didn't take it back, quite happy gumming that whilst I ate the rest of my tea!

 

[kirstybumx3]

Well it is baby led after all. If he is doing everything he need to be and eating it, is say he's telling you he is ready to give it a go personally x

 

[pa2k84]

Yes don't think I will get the highchair out and start that way just yet but no longer going to wrestle food from his hands if he picks up from my plate ( unless of course not good for him!)

 

[HKateH]

I started at 5.5 months. Like a PP said, I stuck to certain foods for a little while as he didn't have the dexterity to eat food like mash. I got round it by making everything finger shaped!

 

[liz1985]

We didnt do blw but we started weaning at 5.5 months and he ate finger foods from the start and did fine with them.

 

[Rachel_C]

I don't think you do need to wait with BLW. If you trust that baby can eat when he's ready and can't if he's not, there is absolutely no need to wait. We started at 5.5 months/24 weeks with my first when she stole food and gobbled it, but waited until 6 months with my youngest because I was better at keeping her away from food and I wasn't in any rush to start. I think from about 23-24 weeks I would be happy starting with offering anything I'd offer a 26 week old, but before that I would limit it to fruit and veg I think, but still offered in the same way we were eating it e.g. for a roast dinner, LO would just not have the meat and gravy but would have the veg and potatoes.

 

[pa2k84]

I am actually amazed he is picking up food biting ( well gumming) off little bits and actually swallowing! I remember my first not actually swallowing till quite a few weeks in but not this one, tomato all but skin devoured and then gave up trying to eat my banana as he was frantic trying to get at it, sucking of pieces and swallowing guess he really is wanting food!