In BLW , we will find three main stages that will mark baby's evolution. You will have to adapt the size of the songs, the format and texture of these to allow to meet the new needs of baby and that it can continue to evolve and progress at its own pace.
The ages mentioned at each stage will be given as an indication , each baby being different and evolving at their own pace. Your role? Observe your baby to continue meeting their needs!
Discovery phase (6 to 7 months)
During this period which usually lasts a month, baby eats little or not at all (and that's normal!).
This is a period of food discoveries . We focus on stimulating the senses : we offer meals with different colors, textures, shapes and odors to attract and stir up baby's curiosity.
At first, baby will observe, touch and try to bring food to his mouth. You may have the impression that he plays more than he eats. But do not bother, between 6 and 8 months the milk covers more than 80% of its energy needs . So, even if baby eats little, even almost nothing, his energy needs will be covered.
Each baby will evolve in their own way. It should not be forgotten that BLW is a step oriented on food discovery independently . We do not weigh food, we simply take care to offer everything and for the rest we leave baby moving towards what he needs and in the quantities necessary for his body.
Food size
At 6 months, in terms of motor skills, baby will only be able to open and close his fist. It will therefore be necessary to adapt the size of the food to it and offer foods that will exceed its closed fist.
The ideal length is that of an adult finger.
Food diameter
In this first phase, the diameter of food is important and should be adapted to baby's gripping capacity .
If you offer sticks, they must have the diameter of an adult finger, this will allow baby to easily catch it in his fist without it breaking.
If you offer dumplings, they must have the shape of a ping-pong ball.
Food texture
During this phase, baby generally has no teeth yet . The raw foods that will be offered will have to be ripe. And the cooked foods offered should be very tender. When baby will bring the piece to his mouth, he will crush it between his tongue and his palate .
How do you know if a song is cooked enough?
Take the song you just cook, put it in your mouth between your tongue and your palate: if you manage to crush it against your palate it is that the cooking is good.
Be careful , however , not to cook your Batônnets: these will have to be taken in hand by baby and if the cooking is too advanced, it will crash directly into the baby's palm and it will quickly turn it into puree.
Meal atmosphere
The general atmosphere of the meal is very important . Baby will have to be in full possession of his means to be able to concentrate during his meal. If baby is tired, do not hesitate to repel the meal after his nap.
If baby is very hungry , he may get angry while trying to catch the pieces. In this case, start the meal by first his baby bottle or feeding . He can then eat his meal in good conditions.
Some foods may have a slippery consistency. It will be difficult for baby who begins the food diversification of catching and putting the food in the mouth without it slipping from the hands. Here are some tips for adapting baby food:
- Leave a piece of skin at one end so that baby can catch it
- Roll the food in coconut powder, almond powder, oatmeal
- Prick the food with a fork
- Spread the food on a carrier
Development phase (from 7 to 9 months)
Baby's food interest is evolving gradually. Baby carries food more and more easily to his mouth and he now knows how to grasp them with his three fingers (inch, index, major) even if he still lacks a little precision.
The meal takes place faster and baby is less tired at the end of the meal.
The size, diameter and texture of food
In the development phase, the textures remain melting or even crisp-founding (we crunch and it melts directly in the mouth).
You can now reduce the size of the food and offer large cubes, neighborhoods, washers, ... formats that adapt to baby grip.
Improvement phase (from 9 to 12 months)
Baby now knows how to do the clips (catch foods between his thumb and index) and he controls it more and more. Baby's masticatory movements become repeated and we can therefore offer less tender textures . He will also take more and more fun eating his meals.
introduce the fork now by pricking the food and the spoon by pre -filing it. You will let baby bring them alone to his mouth .
We invite you to consult the article on the pre -filled spoon .
We will never repeat it enough: each baby at their own pace and will therefore have its evolution . The advice and recommendations in relation to the baby's age will therefore be taken with tweezers. Put yourself to your baby and adapt to its pace and its evolution! An 8 month old baby can very well be comfortable with the grip of a small piece, like another will only start managing the grip of a larger piece. Remember that nobody likes to live in frustration, even baby! So remember to offer him songs that will be adapted to him and to let him evolve at his own pace.
The pressure should not be part of the diversification led by the child . This must remain a pleasure for both the parent and for baby.
Over the days and months baby will evolve: adapt to its evolution!
He will not eat a soup at 6 months and 11 months in the same way. At first, give him the pre -filled spoon, you can also try the 360 cups for example.
It will work for some and not for others, in any case never abandoned and try again a few days later.
Like learning to walk, food diversification will be step by step!
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