Weaning anxiety

Something that has massively helped me is I did a baby first aid course. Now I feel far better equipped to handle if anything were to happen. I know that's not reassurance about the process but my philosophy is to control what I can control and that's what I've done by equipping myself with that knowledge

What you must remember is Loud and Red - Go Ahead Quiet and Blue - They Need You They will gag a lot as their gag reflex is very far forward. They will need a drink sometimes to help wash food down. If they're choking and you need to do back blows, aim to bruise them. It's very scary and a big step but look at all the other scary things you've done! I completely get the anxiety, I've got a massive allergy phobia which I'm convinced is gonna transfer to what she's eating and not just what I'm eating 🙃

I attended a 'starting solids' workshop my local council runs via a children's center - I know all councils are different but it might be worth looking into a course whether it's council or private? I am an anxious FTM too and after doing the course I feel sooo much better. It covered how big to cut the food, how to know if it's cooked enough, what's too small etc. as well as what actual food to start with (I had no idea you shouldn't start with fruit for example!). I'm also doing a first aid course next month which will help too I think

We have started with very small amounts of soft mashed or pureed things, still with the aim of BLW, but more to get her used to the action/movement of eating in a safe way. And what I do so it's a bit more baby-led is I coat the spoon and offer it to her to grab (making sure she's holding it right up the handle where the spoon starts so she can't put it in too far) and I just let her control it. She will independently put the spoon to her mouth to taste and lick what's on it and she has a bit of experience of using her mouth and swallowing. It might ease your anxiety a bit to start off with the softest thing you're happy to try, most things as long as they're presented at the right size and texture will be ok, but build your own confidence as well with a taste of something super soft or loose. You will start to enjoy it, and there will be gagging, but that in itself is a good learning experience for them to have. X

I do this for as long as she gets excited by the sight of the spoon, and after a short while she's not bothered so I stop. We also tried some soft fluffy scrambled eggs broken down into little pieces and put them on her tray, she was suuuuper interested in grabbing them and mashing it I'm her fists but not as interested in putting it in her mouth 😂

Join Weaning the BLW Way on Facebook! Super helpful and supportive — https://www.facebook.com/groups/WeaningtheBLWWay/?ref=share_group_link

I have been listening to podcasts from Katie Ferraro about BLW on Spoti during pram walks and it made me feel much more prepared 😊 good luck 💛