Baby Led Weaning Intro
Well here we are folks. Doing something outside of my comfort zone but I believe it’s going to get easier. Baby Led Weaning.
Now I know I’m late to the game…but in my defense we’ve had some food challenges along the way with the two older kids.
With my oldest son I was so excited to introduce him to solid foods. Like SO.EXCITED. I recorded him eating avocado and breastmilk puree on the very day he turned 4 months, and I remember being mad at my husband for missing this monumental moment ( first time mom, cut me some slack). And let me tell you, I was not about to let my baby eat any story bought stuff, I was at the store buying organic produce, then I was steaming it, pureeing it with breastmilk, and freezing spoonfuls on unbleached parchment paper.
Well, turns out that making baby food, was incredibly time consuming and after a few months a gave up and bought those pouches that I swore I would never buy. When he was around 8 months old, I gave him some buttery mashed potatoes for dinner, and he went to sleep without issue. The following morning he went into his room to find his cheek and eye swollen, red and hot. I was so scared, I thought maybe he had a peanut allergy, because even though I’d never given him peanut products directly but I had eaten peanut butter the day before (he was breastfed). Well of course we called the pediatrician and I told her my concern. After monitoring him, actually Grandma monitored him because I had to work, the swelling decreased and his behavior was completely normal. We later found out he was allergic to dairy, after allergy testing, months of me avoiding peanut products and another series of swelling, hives and welts all over his body when I had some pizza.
Above: His hives after I had pizza (he didn’t have it directly but through my breastmilk). His entire body was covered.
Enter Baby #2, at this point I heard of Baby Led Weaning and I was super excited to try it with her. Again at 4 months old I introduced solid foods, I prepared scrambled eggs and put them on her tray. Well within a few minutes her skin became red, hives developed and splotches were all over her skin. I was devastated, I couldn’t believe this was happening with my second baby. I now know that both dairy and eggs are allergens that many children grow out of, which was the case for my children, but in the moment I was so defeated. More allergy tests, epi-pens and food avoidance. Well there went my willingness for Baby Led Weaning, I just retracted in fear and decided to feed her myself.
Above: Her hives after she had scrambled eggs. Her entire body was covered.
Introducing Baby #3, and our journey to Baby Led Weaning. This time around we waited until he was 6 months to introduce solids. We did this for several reasons, but mainly because he just wasn’t ready to start solids. He wasn’t sitting unsupported, he didn’t show interest in eating our foods when I brought him to the table and he was still doing tongue thrusts, which my sister an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) pointed out to me. I also wasn’t in a rush this time around. I’m mentally prepared for there to be some allergic reactions BUT if there are we aren’t going to quit Baby Led Weaning.
This app, Solid Starts, has been our guiding light and authority for HOW and WHEN to introduce foods. The best part is, there are hundreds of foods on the app, and there is at least 1 video (often more) of an infant or toddler eating the food. It has been so incredibly helpful to see how parents are preparing and presenting these foods to their babies. I don’t know about you, but my mind is more at ease when I’m able to see baby similar in age to my own, eating real foods.
Wish us luck, I will keep updating you on our progress.