Is baby ready to eat? What if we gave up on purees and tried BLW, or baby-led weaning? Far from being a simple trend, this method of learning to eat is of interest to more and more parents, but it requires being well-informed and, above all, not being in a hurry!
Where to start? The experts at Bébé mange seul give us advice before you get started.
Be well informed
Even before baby shows a desire to eat ( see point 3 ), you need to be well equipped. BLW cannot be improvised. Although it is safe, it does require taking precautions. Before embarking on the BLW adventure, you need to make sure you know what steps to take.
Need some info? Baby Eats Alone has gathered the basics of the method and various tips in a book that is both theoretical and practical.
Respect our values
DME is a method that encourages the values of autonomy and discovery by the child and which is completely natural since it respects the baby's abilities.
But it must also respect the parents'. It is therefore important to feel good about this approach and not adopt it because it is fashionable.
Wait until baby is ready
How do you know if your baby is ready to eat? First, he must be at least 6 months old , he shows his desire, he is able to chew, he adopts a sitting posture and puts his hand to his mouth. Be careful, we must differentiate between our expectations and our child's abilities. Each child has his own rhythm, let's not forget that!
Offer baby the right size pieces
Baby is provided with appropriate pieces of the right size and texture. Remember that a beginner baby cannot crunch, chew or shred food: he will crush the food by placing his tongue on the roof of his mouth.
Over time, as their skills evolve, you can add more and more complex foods. It is the 6-9 month period that requires the most supervision!
Consult if you are worried
Is your baby not eating enough? Does he have an intolerance or allergic reaction? If in doubt, consult your family doctor or a nutritionist. A nutrition expert will also be able to guide you if you want to introduce a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Avoid distractions
During mealtimes, baby needs to be guided and encouraged. Be close! Doing the dishes or watching TV during mealtimes can be tempting, but can also be distracting for the child, who could then choke.
Forget clean clothes
Yes, BLW is messy! Here's a tip: always have large bibs and wet washcloths on hand. An even simpler option is to put baby in a diaper and dress him after feeding!
Cooking foods that baby refuses to eat
Baby threw pieces of mango or strawberry on the floor? Don't throw them away! Given the price of food, it's best not to waste it. One trick is to put a tablecloth on the floor, under the high chair, to collect the food that's still intact. For the rest, cook it! The experts and collaborators of Bébé mange seul offer 100 recipe ideas for recycled muffins, soups or smoothies.
Of course, we will only offer these cooked dishes to the baby and not to our visitors!
Manage quality, not quantity
Your baby is the one who manages his food alone, not you! By putting a piece in his mouth instead of him, we are skipping a step. If he can't do it alone, he may not be able to manage it alone, which carries a risk of choking.
As a general rule, it will take several days (sometimes a few weeks!) for baby to discover the pleasure of eating. The first meals are more about exploring and understanding the principle of eating alone.
Let go
Every baby is unique and develops skills at their own pace. BLW not working? Let it go and wait before offering it again. Making a lot of mess? Relax.
***
Our essentials for getting started with DME
We love the compartmentalized plates and silicone placemats . This type of tableware offers a good surface to place food on so that baby can pick it up by themselves. The rim also gives beginners a helping hand. Plus: it's dishwasher safe!
We love Jamie Kay ’s new collection (pictured), with its playful, spring-like shapes!
We stock up on bibs of different sizes , with or without sleeves, easy to clean. We leave a few in the diaper bag for meals on the road or at daycare.
We store baby food and meals in airtight containers, like these from Béaba . A tip: we get ahead and cut the fruits and vegetables into pieces on Sunday afternoon, during nap time.
We always have plenty of washcloths (because we can never have too many!), soft and delicate. Even when we're on the go, we prefer them to disposable wipes.
We choose a high chair or booster seat that will be comfortable for the child and easy to clean (did we already mention that this is one of the criteria for BLW? ;)).
Below, the new Clikk chair from Stokke has just arrived in stores.
Learning is made easier with a first meal calendar that offers a turnkey menu for the first 5 weeks of DME with the integration of allergens, adapted foods, recipes and various information.
*Cover photo: Stokke
