In January 2010 Jodie and Hayley of Foreman & Jones, Hythe, attended a seminar on baby-led weaning with Gill Rapley. During discussions at the seminar many mums spoke about their fears about their baby ‘getting enough’ food, which led us to the topic of people wanting to ‘get that last extra spoonful in’ or wanting to make sure that the baby ate the amount that had been pureed for them, so that they knew how much they’d had.
This raised a little discussion and some ponderings in my head too! Of course, all of this is done with the best of intentions (things usually are) and I want to make it very clear that I am passing no judgement at all on anyone here. I am just thinking about what Gill said about the potential for baby-led weaning to cause less obesity and fewer eating disorders.
Jodie and I took part in the experiment to ‘feed’ two of the other people who attended the seminar and it was a very peculiar experience! They were told to just sit in the chair and we were told to feed them. I didn’t really know whether the lady I was feeding wanted another spoonful yet, or whether she wanted another spoonful at all. So Jodie and I just kept on putting the food in their mouths!
This raised some important points.
‘Being fed’ puts someone else in control and we know how independent babies like to be! ‘Feeding the baby’ also makes it a job that has to get done, something to do, which really isn’t all it is. It can also often mean ‘the baby being fed’ on their own, then everyone else eating their dinner at a different time, whereas with BLW the baby eats at the same time as everyone else. And in baby-led weaning the baby gets to choose when they are full – why shouldn’t they? After all, they are the one who is eating, so they should know when they are full, not us! The feeling of satiety (being satusfactorily full) is a very natural instinct, and babies are very in touch with this feeling.
Part Two of this article explores this issue further.
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Having had three children, I recall as babies they had different eating habits, but that is normal. They usually knew when they had had enough and as with adults, would vary from day to day as to the quantity of food they wished to consume. As a parent giving the baby the best quality food you are able is more important. Usually if you are cooking for yourself the same food is adequate for the baby as long is is not something that is too spicy. Small portions to start and the baby will let you know if wants more. Basic fresh food is better than packets and bought in sauces.