The BLW method is a great solution for introducing complementary foods naturally, called “pre-feeding” in our country, however, when it comes to practice, questions arise, the answers to which you will find in this article.
Are there any contraindications?
Baby led weaning does not deviate from the standard “everything is good in moderation” recommendations, so if parents force the child to eat more than he wants, this method is not suitable for them. In this case, the most famous way to introduce new products with a teaspoon is recommended. Another point is a food allergy to a certain product, if it exists, it simply should not be on the table.
There are pieces of undigested food in the child’s stool – the body can not cope?
The appearance of undigested pieces in the feces is not a sign of digestive problems in the first and second year of life. Physiologically preserved food residues make up to 10% of feces.
Is there a risk of overeating?
Young children differ from adults in well-developed instincts and a high ability to follow them. Thus, the child does not eat more than he needs at the moment and refuses foods that can harm him. It has been noticed that before the first signs of the disease appear, the baby refuses solid foods, preferring mother’s milk – he knows that this food is now healthier and better without any prompts.
Do you have to cook for a child and an adult separately?
Not at all, the BLW method is about having the whole family eat healthy foods. Parents can cook not only a light soup, but also bake fish, chicken, and cook pizza. Only with one condition – the dishes are prepared from quality products.
The child is not interested in solid food, and he is almost a year old. What to do?
All children are different – someone reaches for their mother’s piece at 6 months, and someone discovers a new taste after a year. If your baby is getting enough breast milk or formula, this is not a problem and it is not recommended to force him to take new foods.
Is it worth limiting the amount of food?
As a rule, children do not overeat, and even if they do, this phenomenon is an invaluable experience that teaches the concept of limitation. Since this concept comes with experience, it is not necessary to take the desired dish from the baby.
The child eats only what he likes for a long time. How to expand his nutrition?
Children often do not change their culinary preferences. When a child refuses a product, this does not mean at all that he will not try it in a month. Provide a wide variety of nutrition options at every meal without depriving your favorite foods.
The child refuses to eat, although he used to eat with pleasure. What could be the reason?
Reasons for temporarily avoiding solid foods include teething, illness, and stress. However, when he is healthy, there is nothing wrong with this phenomenon, in a few days, the baby will definitely return to the common table.
Lunch lasts over an hour. How to reduce this time?
The BLW method involves a relaxed meal, there is no room for rush. Unfortunately, there is no way to reduce the time until the baby learns to eat a little faster, which comes with experience.
How justified is the risk of suffocation?
BLW does not contribute to suffocation. Studies have shown that in children of the first year of life, the “spitting out” reflex of solid food works earlier than in adults, preventing pieces from getting deep into the throat. You can avoid such a nuisance by observing a calm environment during lunch, because the risk of suffocation increases significantly when the child cries or laughs.
More food is disposed of than is eaten. This is fine?
If the child gets a full plate, then this is probably the case. However, remember that the size of the baby’s stomach is equal to the size of his fist. Just don’t go over the serving size.
These recommendations can also be used with standard complementary feeding, although the principles of these methods differ significantly, the questions of parents listed above are the same in both cases.