Baby Led(Guided) Weaning?

Question

I have been doing a version of BLW with my son for about 6 weeks now. He is currently 7 months old. My concern is getting him used to eating solids without weaning before 15-24 months. I eats one or two meals of spoon-fed meals a day(4-6 oz. total) and one or two "meals" of finger foods. He is probably eating no more than 8 oz. of food a day. If I really don't want him to wean earlier is my best bet to offer only finger foods? Any tips from those with experience is appreciated.

Answer 1

Chances are, your baby ain't gonna give up them boobies for the finest foods on earth, whether you feed him purees from a spoon, self-fed finger foods, or slop out of a trough.

Just be sure to offer the breast before offering solids, so that your milk will still be a main source of nourishment for him, and he won't be full and likely to resist a nursing.

Breastfeeding is about more than filling his belly to him.  It is about comfort and warmth, and being close to his mother.  I am assuming you still nurse him plenty in the evenings and mornings, as I know you are co-sleeping?  Or am I wrong there?  

I think you can safely ditch the spoon, or let him handle the spoon himself.  We have been doing BLW for nearly two months, and I am insanely impressed with how well he handles food.  It hasn't interfered with nursing a bit; I just make sure to offer food only after I know he has had a good boobie session (and sometimes after, just to reassure myself that my b*****s are still as appealing as cantaloupe).

Answer 2

No do not offer just finger foods or you will have a headache when you do wean  (picky child)!

My daughter weaned at 4 years old and my son is still nursing at 18 mons until he decides to stop.  I started both on mushed adult food at 6 months but did not force them to eat.  They both started eating more regularly around 13-14 months.  Up until 12 months food is for learning as their calories should be coming from BM.  

I made a mistake with my daughter and only fed her her favorites and now she is a pain at 6 years old with what she will eat. My son is offered everything we eat 3xs a day and snacks and he will eat anything and still nurses whenever he feels like it.

TRUST ME a nursing toddler will NOT stop nursing even if they are eating. It is more for comfort once they are eating a lot.  With your son being 7 months old offer him mushed...whatever he can handle but never force the spoon into his mouth or try to force feed him.  I let my kids feedthemeselves.  Yes it is a mess but soo worth it to know they are not being over fed.

Good luck and if you wanna chat send me a message.

Answer 3

offer just finger foods- it allows them to control how much they take in and when tehya re actually full- though i don't think eating solid foods is going to convince your son to wean. my son LOVES food and is still nursing at almost 17 months old. the BLW way was much better for him as he flet he good examine his food better, he ate better that way and he always wanted to feel it before he ate it :)

Answer 4

ONLY finger foods, and preferably no more than twice a day.

http://kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/sol...

http://gentlechristianmothers.com/articl...

(hey you can actually click links right... not like most people around here?)