Baby-Led Weaning : The Essential Guide to Introducing Solid Foods - And Helping Your Baby to Grow up a Happy and Confident Eater

by Gill RapleyTracey Murkett

• ISBN13: 9781615190218
• ISBN10: 161519021X
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2010-10-05
• Publisher: Experiment, The

Summary

The Natural, No-Fuss, No-Pur#xC3;#xA9;e Method for Starting Your Baby on Solid Foods Baby-Led Weaning explodes the myth that babies need to be spoon-fed and shows why self-feeding from the start of the weaning process is the healthiest way for your child to develop. With baby-led weaning (BLW, for short), you can skip pur#xC3;#xA9;es and make the transition to solid food by following your baby#xE2;#xAC;"s cues. At about six months, most babies are ready to join the family at the kitchen table and discover food for themselves. Baby-Led Weaning is the definitive guide to this crucial period in your child#xE2;#xAC;"s development, and shows you how to help your baby: Participate in family meals right from the start Experiment with food at his or her own pace Develop new abilities, including hand-eye coordination and chewing Learn to love a variety of foods and to enjoy mealtimes Baby-led weaning became a parenting phenomenon in the UK practically overnight, inspiring a fast-growing and now international online community of parents who practice baby-led weaning#xE2;#xAC;#x1D;with blogs and pictures to prove it! In Baby-Led Weaning, world-leading BLW authority Gill Rapley and early BLW practitioner and coauthor Tracey Murkett deliver everything you need to know about raising healthy, confident eaters.

Author Biography

Gill Rapley, a public health nurse for 20 years and the mother of three, originated the theory of baby-led weaning while pursuing her master's degree. Tracey Murkett, a freelance writer and journalist, followed baby-led weaning with her daughter.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Introduction	p. xiii
What Is Baby-Led Weaning?	p. 1
What is Weaning?	p. 1
Why BLW is Different	p. 2
Why BLW Makes Sense	p. 4
When Should a Baby Start Solids?	p. 5
Why Is Some Baby Food Labeled as Suitable from Four Months?	p. 9
Baby-Led Weaning Isn't New	p. 11
A Brief History of Feeding Babies	p. 11
The Trouble with Spoon-Feeding	p. 14
The Benefits of BLW	p. 20
Are There Any Disadvantages?	p. 28
How Does Baby-Led Weaning Work?	p. 30
Growing Skills	p. 30
Baby-Led Weaning and Breast-feeding	p. 35
The Motivation to Feed	p. 37
Needing Extra Nutrients	p. 39
Moving Away from Milk Feedings	p. 40
Developing the Ability to Chew	p. 41
The "Window of Opportunity"	p. 43
Eating Enough but Not Too Much: Learning Appetite Control	p. 44
Won't He Choke?	p. 46
Do Babies Really Know What They Need to Eat?	p. 50
Q&A	p. 52
Getting Started	p. 62
Preparing for BLW	p. 62
When to "Eat"	p. 63
Finger Food	p. 66
Improving Coordination	p. 67
Offering Rather Than Giving	p. 69
How Much Food to Offer	p. 70
Having a Clean Plate	p. 73
Rejecting Food	p. 74
Helping Your Baby to Learn	p. 75
Dealing with Frustration	p. 77
Allowing Enough Time	p. 78
No Pressure	p. 79
Eating Together	p. 79
Expect Mess	p. 83
Equipment	p. 86
The Secrets of Successful BLW	p. 90
Q&A	p. 92
First Foods	p. 95
Basic Principles	p. 95
Foods to Avoid	p. 96
Allergy Triggers	p. 102
Fat	p. 105
Fiber	p. 105
Adapting Food in the Early Months	p. 106
Dips and Dippers	p. 113
Breakfast	p. 114
Easy Snacks and Food on the Move	p. 117
Desserts	p. 118
Q&A	p. 119
After the Early Days	p. 129
Progressing at Your Baby's Pace	p. 129
Adventurous Taste Buds	p. 131
Learning About Textures	p. 135
Runny Foods	p. 137
Feast and Famine	p. 138
Your Baby's Diaper	p. 139
Eating Enough: Learning to Trust Your Baby	p. 141
Telling You She's Had Enough	p. 144
Food Fads	p. 146
Drinks	p. 148
Dropping Milk Feedings	p. 150
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner-Plus Snacks	p. 154
Baby-Led Weaning and Family Life	p. 157
Maintaining a Baby-Led Approach	p. 157
Silverware	p. 158
Cups	p. 162
Table Manners	p. 163
Eating Out	p. 165
Self-Service	p. 169
Bribes, Rewards, and Punishments	p. 171
Avoiding the Emotional Battleground	p. 173
Going Back to Work	p. 176
A Healthy Diet for Everyone	p. 182
The Importance of Healthy Eating	p. 182
Knowing the Basics	p. 185
Variety is the Spice of Life!	p. 186
Junk Food	p. 188
Vegetarians and Vegans	p. 189
Getting the Best Out of the Food You Buy	p. 190
A Basic Guide to Nutrients	p. 192
Did You Know?	p. 196
Troubleshooting	p. 200
Conclusion	p. 219
The Story of Baby-Led Weaning	p. 221
Basic Rules for Food Safety	p. 223
References	p. 227
Photo Credits	p. 229
Acknowledgments	p. 231
Index	p. 233
About the Authors	p. 239
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