Let that baby feed itself!
Harvey was 24 weeks old yesterday! I intended it to be a life changing day but in reality it was just a normal day! I managed to do his handprint in some clay and left that to dry but that's all I really did! I took some pictures of his chubby little belly to show how amazing mummy's milk has been for Harvey's growth and I shopped for fresh fruit and vegetables for Harvey's first meals!
We had already decided to start blw on a Saturday as Matt would be off and could help me and see his son eating for the first time. We'd decided lunch was the best meal to start with because we wouldn't have to rush and it would be relaxed. We walked around Monton festival with our friends Esme and Sie and then came home to prepare lunch. I buttered Harvey's croissant, chopped some cheese into easy to hold finger pieces, and grated some although I knew he'd probably not be able to hold this but wanted him to feel the difference and chopped a banana in half for him. We all sat around the dining room table to watch. I expected most things to be chucked on the floor in an uniterested sort of way but it was a fantastic success! He first picked up the croissant and sucked on it for ages! There was hardly anything left of it! He also sucked on the cheese and banana and seemed to really enjoy it! I was so high on his success that I cleaned up the mess, of which there wasn't much, with cheer and couldn't wait until teatime!
During the course of the afternoon, H became a little bit upset. He'd been suffering from an ear infection the last week so we thought it might have been playing him up and were worried his eating would be affected. Teatime was not as successful but still a learning curve for the whole family. I served roast pork, carrots, broccolli, new potatoes and peas. I knew he wouldn't have a chance at picking up peas but we were having them so I decided to offer them to him too. He sucked on the meat, carrots and broccolli (wasn't too keen on broccolli-I need to steam it for less time as it just fell apart!) but he couldn't pick up new potatoes or peas. I panicked for a second as I saw a huge bit of pork in the back of his throat and then he started gagging. I knew this was normal but to see my baby looking like he might choke made me crazy! He efficiently brought the pork to the front of his mouth and pushed it out onto his bib with his tongue...just like the book said he would! I was very relieved!
I am very excited about this new development in our baby and so so happy that we have chosen to allow him to feed himself! I can't stand the thought of him eating tasteless baby rice and unrecognisable purees now and have found it so easy as I just cook for the family with no salt and H can enjoy his meals with us while I eat my own. BLW is one of the best choices I have made!