What size should food be for BLW

[Amy Alice]

Hi I'm looking for advice please.
My girl 6 months has reflux and cows milk protein allergy. Regularly refuses milk. We have been trying to wean for about a month with no success, this is with spoon. I'm considering BLW but so scared of her choking. I have her a piece of avocado, she played and sucked it but started to cough and face went red for a second I thought she would choke, it came out fine though. But my question is, what size shape do you cut the fruit of veg? I'm still very worried about choking hazard but she will really not eat anything from the spoon. So feel baby led weaning will be best for her.
Any advice would be very greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Rachel_C]

Some people like to cut food into sticks (like the veg sticks you'd dip into hummus) but that's to help LO hold it, not about choking.

BLW is, IMO, less dangerous in terms of choking than TW because LO is the one in control and you're not trying to sneak anything past the gag reflex like you are with purée. I suppose if you're really looking for a way to avoid choking, the bigger the food the better because LO will be able to push it out of her mouth more easily. She'll obviously have to bite/chew/gum it into a size she can swallow though. I'd just go with whatever you're eating and mix it up a bit - sometimes you can give a whole banana for her to have a go at, sometimes you might want to slice it into chunks or slices.

 

[sue_88]

My HV said same size as your pinky finger, it's working well here

 

[KayBea]

i went with roughly the same size as my little finger

as pp said, BLW is less of a choking hazard. x

 

[Amy Alice]

Thank you ladies.
We tried slices of avocado and banana last night. She didnt eat a lot but certainly enjoyed playing and happily put it in her mouth. Her dad and I were very scared though and he said dont do it with him there. Going to see if there are any groups in my area just to build confidence. Thank you so much for replies. What food have you found worked well, the banana was so slippery ha ha! Xx

 

[sue_88]

Grated cheese is good for building your confidence.

Bread/toast

Chicken

Goodies Organix snacks - carrot puffs, tomato wheels are good too, they just dissolve

The watery seeded part of cucumber cut into sticks

 

[Sarah125]

I just do it how were having it. Finger sized pieces are easiest for baby to pick up at first but they soon learn to pick up other shapes and sizes of food.

I was terrified about choking but we have been weaning for about 3 weeks now (?) and everything has been fine. Their gag reflux is amazing! My LO has only gagged once on a slice of pepper but watching her bring it up herself in a few seconds, then pop it back in her mouth haha, really reassured me.

Good luck