Baby-Led Weaning
Introducing your child to solids is an exciting milestone for you and your family. It can also be a stressful time, as many parents are filled with questions about when and how to start.
Having an approach that works for your family can help ensure a rewarding and bonding time. Today we are discussing why the Baby-Led Weaning approach to introducing solids has become popular and how it prioritizes family meal time by engaging your baby in mealtime.
Like most parenting struggles, there is no single solution. Here are some tips and tricks to make the transition to solids as smooth as possible using the BLW (Baby-Led Weaning) method.
What is Baby-Led Weaning?
For the past decade, Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) has increased in popularity as a method of introducing solids to your baby. Baby-Led Weaning is when whole soft foods are served in finger-like strips and adjusted in size and texture based on age and readiness. BLW puts your child in control of the food that enters their bodies as they explore flavours, textures, and temperatures. This bypasses the classic feeding method of spoon-feeding purees that many of us grew up with, and can benefit your child’s development.
Why would I use the Baby-Led Weaning Method?
Baby-Led Weaning exposes your child to both the flavours and textures of foods, but more importantly, it teaches the baby to eat intuitively from the start, giving them discretion over when, how, and what goes into their bodies. Other incredible Baby-Led Weaning benefits include:
- Development of fine motor skills which involves the use of small muscles in the baby’s hands
- Grasping, dexterity, reaching
- Development of hand-eye coordination
- Development of chewing skills
In many cases, Baby-Led Weaning is also an easier option for meal prepping, as parents can often modify the meal they are already making for their new eater.
When do I start Baby-Led Weaning?
It is recommended to start BLW around the 6-month mark, but it’s also advisable to introduce solids around 4-6 months. These are approximate timelines, and parents will need to adjust based on their child’s readiness and interests. Things to look for to determine their readiness:
- Once baby starts to show an interest in the food at the table
- Once baby can sit up independently with good head and neck control
- Once baby has lost the tongue thrust reflex
- Once baby can bring objects to their mouth
Can you combine Baby-Led Weaning with Purees?
Purees and Baby-Led Weaning can be combined to allow for the baby to experience more textures, temperatures, and foods. The main thing is to remember it’s about self-feeding. This is also preferred for babies starting solids earlier than 6 months old.
Baby-Led Weaning Essentials
Having the right tools will help ensure a successful transition for you and your baby. Here are our recommendations to help simplify meal time when using the Baby-Led Weaning approach for introducing solids.
High Chair:
High chairs are an essential piece of furniture for families with young children. Our favourites include ergonomic foot-plates and grow-with-you options. Learn more about the Top High Chairs of 2023 here.
Fork + Spoon Sets
100% Silicone utensils teach babies to self-feed. Great options for babies include a Choke Protection Barrier for babies self-feeding with a fork and spoon and Short with Round Non-slip Handles that make grasping easier
We love this set EZ PZ First Food Set - which combines the silicone suction-cup dish, a fork and spoon set, and a training cup
Silicone Grip + Suction Dishes:
A strong suction base ensures the dishes stay put. 100% silicone (with perfectly portioned dividers as a bonus), will help babies develop independence when trying a collection of different foods perfectly sized for toddler portions.
EZ PZ Mini Cup & Straw Training System:
Learning to drink from a straw is an important developmental milestone that develops lip rounding and promotes speech development.
Full-Coverage Bibs
Things are going to get messy, at home and on-the-go having a bunch of full-coverage bibs will save outfits from getting destroyed during each meal.
Check out these adorable prints from Tiny Twinkle, Bumkins, and Canadian-made Kushies.
Silicone Catch-All Bib
A Deep front pocket is perfect for catching food and made from easy-to-clean silicone, you’ll be finding these your go-to option for messy meals.
Popular options include bibs from Mushie, Glitter and Spice, and Bella Tunno.
Boon Pulp Silicone Feeder
Soft-silicone cover allows the baby to self-feed on fruits and vegetables through small holes. Freeze it with a favourite flavour to soothe sore teething gums.
Splat Mat
Catch All by Milly Stone, a multi-functional mat designed to catch every mess easy-to-clean matte vinyl, it’s the ultimate waterproof barrier that will protect floors
What foods do I start with for Baby-Led Weaning?
When starting BLW, you should be preparing foods in long thick sticks. Pieces should be twice the length of your baby’s hand, allowing them to grasp the food with their fist, with no risk of them trying to swallow it whole.
Your baby may enjoy trying these types of foods first:
- Soft fruits, berries and veggies cut into fingers like banana or avocado
- Cooked veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and broccoli
- Toast cut into finger shapes and pancakes (banana, blueberry, veggie or protein are some nutritious options)
- Shredded cheese, full-fat yogurt
- Well-cooked meat and fish
- Large pieces of pasta
- Eggs
- Tofu
The BOON INC. Divvy Solids Starter Set is a great tool to help guide you with baby’s mealtime prep including a large non-slip prep mat filled with a food size guide and nutrition reminders, a grater, and a crinkle cutter.
Safety Tips
Baby-Led Weaning can cause some anxiety around safety, as your baby is learning to eat, they are also learning to gag, spit up, and understand limits around how much can fit in their mouths while swallowing things other than liquids for the first time. Reviewing safety solutions, infant CPR and common food allergies can help reduce stresses around baby meal time.
- Do not rush to help your baby if they gag. Babies sense parents' panic and can develop negative associations with eating. Instead, stay calm and give them time to work it out. Try to introduce only one food to ensure you can be alert to any allergies that may arise
- Always have an adult supervising baby while eating
- Ensure the baby is sitting up while eating and strapped into a highchair
- Serve softer foods
- Take an infant CPR class
- Check out our friends at Bump and Baby Matters
Tips for Parents
- The internet, social media feeds, your family, friends and community all have amazing tips for how to feed a baby. Finding what works for your family and baby will take time.
- Always remember you and your baby are learning this new skill together.
- Try not to get too upset or frustrated when baby isn’t eating.
- Try not to praise or scold about messes, amounts eaten or willingness to try foods, we are trying to build healthy relationships around food and their bodies.
- Always remember they are getting the nutrients they require from the breastmilk and formula, so don’t stress too much about what they are eating.
- Have fun, take pictures and videos. Building traditions around mealtimes can be a special time in your family.
