You’d think there wouldn’t be so many surprises the second time round. The learning curve with weaning of any kind is steep, as much for parents as for junior.
I can’t remember how Dom took to pre-loaded spoons. But I know that he did master them, by a couple of weeks later than this stage with Theo. In fact there’s a very cute video here. I’ve racked my brains and can’t think how it started, so I just went ahead and handed Theo a spoon with an assortment of items (not at the same time) – porridge, bananacado, thick soup, and more often than not he flips the spoon and sticks the handle in his mouth. So this evening, with a lack of anything else for dinner to give him, and parent no.2 not home I decided he could have some of my massamam curry, with tofu, butternut squash and of course potato. I use the Thai Gold brand of paste, which I’ve blogged about before here.
The pieces were in small cubes, and we’re not in pincer grip territory yet, so I thought I’d try the pre loaded spoon again. I gave it a wee mash up, to a good soft but lumpy texture, and added some natural yogurt to cool down the spice. FLIP off went the curry across the table and the spoon went in upside down. I had a little lightbulb moment, he doesn’t know what he’s missing! I put some on the spoon, coaxed open that little mouth and SPOON FED him. I did this 3 times with small amounts, then he shrieked when I took the spoon away. You want it that bad baby? Help yourself! And he did, roaring indignantly each time I took the empty spoon back from him.
The spoon: it contains yummy stuff. He just didn’t realise it.
– Jill
Proper Fud 
Bananacado! Love it!
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Coined by a June mammy friend Orla, it is indeed exactly what it sounds like – mashed banana and avocado, and delicious on toast for grown ups and kids.
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Lightbulb moment! I must try that with Sophie. I give her the spoon to play with when I finish feeding her and she’s usually pretty good at figuring out which end goes in, but haven’t trusted her with preloaded spoons.
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Just make sure it’s something nice and thick or sticky that will make an attempt at adhering to the spoon while she negotiates it in – there’s many a slip ‘twixt cup and lip as they say. (though i’m sure that has a less literal meaning than in this context)
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So, then, he ate it right? Well done. Today i decided i was tired of my son not eating (i´ve been giving him bits and pieces since the 31st of dec a few days before he was 6 months) so bought bread sticks and put some avocado on it (non bananacado but will do that tomorrow!) and hey he ate a tiny bit, i think. So that´s good. I am only letting the whole thing tick along till i can be back in my place and my kitchen. It is hard to do this at your parents as i feel bad about getting all dirty and can´t cook myself… So i am keeping it very simple, i only give him broccoli, carrot, toast, avocado, melon…. not a very long list but as i said, will be doing it better (i hope!)
Thanks for letting us know how you are getting on. It is very useful for first time BLW mums.
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he did! he ate about 5 spoons worth himself which is a lot for him. also, for him to concentrate on something for that long was impressive too!
I wouldn’t worry about your variety too much, you know it’s only temporary, and you’ll expand his repertoire soon enough. I know that it can feel a little like you’ve to prove yourself when you’re doing it in front of possibly skeptical people too. I did bring a banana to my friends house for T today, but I chickened out and gave him drier food instead. After 30 odd years of eating bananas happily myself, it was only through baby led weaning I discovered what a messy staining food they could actually be!
You could try wedges of avocado either – just cut some notches in the strip/wedge so it’s a little easier to hold? Is there any way you could cook some simple stuff – like sweet potato wedges or something like that, or does your mum rule over the oven strictly?
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Oh my god it’s scary how much J sounds like T! The spoon is a must have item on his tray now and woe betide the silly mammy that forgets it especially if she dares to use one right in front of him!
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Hope it wasn’t a fluke now – must try him with a bit of my porridge in the morning… I love when they shout out you eating, like ‘whats that mammy am i missing something good?’
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I can’t concentrate as long as your baby to say how brilliant it is that he’s onto the spoon because you mentioned bananacado on toast and now I have to try that, it sounds delicious!
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Sounds wrong, is right! well actually the word sounds great, but the combination sounds odd.
I don’t want him on the spoon as such, it’s just a bit easier to eat say, natural yogurt with a spoon than anything else, so it’s one of his necessary life skillz covered alright!
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