I want to try baby led weaning for my 6 month old son but am afraid he might choke on his food. Any advice from mummies who've tried this with their LOs?

I started with papaya which was very ripe. Baby could take it well but holding it was a problem so I decided not to remove the skin next time. Other first foods can include bananas, pear, potato, broccoli, carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin or squash. Before you even start, make sure you fully understand the difference between choking and gagging. When baby chokes he turns blue and is unable to cough or make any sound, gagging causes face to turn red, and baby may cough or vomit but it's very normal. Please arm yourself with first aid skills on how to deal with baby if he chokes. You can view them from YouTube. Constantly remind baby to chew by showing him yourself making chewing actions and watch out for large pieces of food but never at any time try to dig it out with your fingers as it may cause food to be pushed down the throat and baby may choke. They will know how to spit it out when they can't swallow it. And also note that drier foods tend to cause more gagging. For my daughter it's potato and sweet potato. She does well with all other foods mentioned including peaches and nectarines. Just do it!

I'd say start easy and slow, and basically let your child take the lead (hence baby LED weaning) and expect to have some heart attacks esp. when they gag. it was tough convincing the older folks about BLW, but eventually when they saw that my daughter can self-feed, they were amazed, impressed and more confident as we got along. ensure your child is able to sit upright etc, and always ensure adult supervision. start with simple foods like sliced avocado, carrot sticks, potato sticks, or even bread. it might take awhile for him to get used to it since it's entirely a new thing for him, so do be patient, and have fun while you're at it! :)

i suggest you do puree first to check any allergies for your baby. if your confident na your baby does not have allergies then you can start blw. we started with puree on my eldest 6th month then blw on her 8th month. she can already eat on her own at 10 months. they learn really fast. so it wont do any harm if you delay blw. shes 3 yr old now and i am planning to do the same with my 7 month baby. the most important thing is to make eating enjoyable for your baby 😉

I was facing the fear like you initially. What I did was watching youtube videos on BLW so to prepare myself on what to expect during the BLW (gagging, choking, coughing etc.). Thus, I more or less understand under which situation I should intervene baby. Also, do watch videos on how to manage baby's choking and if possible try to attend local first-aid course such as http://sera.sg/e/index.php/infant-and-children-basic-first-aid-and-cpr/

Babies who are on baby led weaning often gag on their food, which parents may mistake as choking. It's actually a normal safety response. Thick and long strips of steamed sweet potato, cooked chicken or coarsely mashed potato are great starter foods. :) http://sg.theasianparent.com/stop-picky-eating-with-baby-led-weaning/ http://www.babyledweaning.com/features/gagging/the-gagging-thing-v-the-choking-thing/

Purees of fruit and vegetables are the best to start with. it is dangerous to give them anything that needs to be chewed till their teeth are not out. Softer fruits like papaya can just be mashed.

Start with 'wetter' food. Try broccoli (florets only - no stem) And fruits. Kiwi, papaya, banana. Where they are not dry so less coughing and choking.

Hi you may want to join the Baby led weaning facebook group to get even more advice. https://www.facebook.com/groups/SGbabyledweaning/

LO is turning 6 mos too! I wanna try BLW but really scared 😳

thanks