What is Baby Led Weaning(BLW)?
Baby Led Weaning (BLW) is a method of introducing solid foods to babies that allows them to feed themselves. Instead of spoon-feeding purees, parents offer their babies soft, finger-sized pieces of food. BLW starts around the six-month milestone when babies show signs of readiness for solid foods. This approach encourages babies to explore and enjoy family meals right from the start.
Benefits of Baby Led Weaning
Family Participation
BLW enables babies to join in family mealtimes, making them feel included and allowing parents to eat simultaneously.
Self-Regulation
Babies control their food intake, learning to listen to their hunger and fullness cues. This helps prevent overeating and promotes a healthy relationship with food.
Choking Risk Myth
Contrary to common concerns, studies have shown that BLW does not increase the risk of choking compared to spoon-feeding. Always supervise your baby while eating to ensure safety.
Nutritional Balance
By offering a variety of foods, including iron-rich options paired with vitamin C-rich foods, you can ensure your baby gets the necessary nutrients.
When to Start Baby Led Weaning?
Start BLW when your baby is about six months old and shows these signs of readiness:
– Can sit up well without support.
– Has good neck strength to keep their head up.
– Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex (no longer pushes food out with their tongue).
– Can pick up food and bring it to their mouth.
– Shows interest in food (tries to grab food from your plate).
How to Start Baby Led Weaning
Preparing for BLW
To get started with BLW, you’ll need:
– A highchair that is easy to clean.
– A long-sleeved bib to protect clothes.
– A suction bowl and suction plate to prevent spills.
– Short-handled self-feeding cutlery
– Soft Face-washers for post-meal face cleaning.
First Foods to Introduce
Choose soft, easy-to-grab foods. Focus on vegetables more than fruits to help your baby get used to savoury flavours. Be sure to include iron-rich foods like potato, broccoli, red meat, lentils, and chickpeas.
Here are some ideal first foods:
- Avocado: Cut into finger-shaped slices.
- Broccoli: Steamed until soft and served as a floret.
- Green Beans: Cooked until it can be easily squished between two fingers.
- Banana: Cut into finger-shaped slices.
- Sweet Potato: Baked and cut into finger-shaped slices.
- Egg Yolk: Hard-boiled and quartered lengthways.
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish: Cooked until tender and cut into strips. Slow-cooked meats, mini burgers, and shredded meat work well. Small amounts on the bone are also suitable. Please note, for a chicken drumstick be sure to remove the pin bones.
Baby Led Weaning Safety Tips
Supervision: Always watch your baby while they are eating.
Choking Risk: Avoid high-choking risk foods like whole grapes, nuts, and hard candies.
Gagging: Gagging is normal as babies learn to chew and swallow. Be calm and let them work through it.
Sitting Position: Ensure your baby is sitting upright to reduce the risk of choking.
Combining Weaning Styles
You don’t have to stick strictly to one weaning style. Many parents use a combination of BLW and spoon-feeding. This hybrid approach can provide flexibility and ease of mind, especially when introducing iron-rich foods like pureed meats and cereals. To learn more about combination feeding, read our guide.
Key Messages for Introducing Solids
Variety: Offer a range of foods from all five food groups.
Allergy Prevention: Introduce high-allergy foods in an appropriate texture to reduce the risk of food allergies early from 6 months. Be sure to offer all common allergens on a regulare basis before 12 months.
Family Foods: Prepare baby’s food from family meals.
Safety: Always supervise your baby while eating and avoid high choking risk foods.
Self-Regulation: Allow your baby to eat as much as they need and look for signs of fullness (e.g., turning their head away or pushing food away).
Exploration: Let your baby touch, taste, and smell food without pressure.
Breastfeeding and Formula: Continue breastfeeding while introducing solids until your baby is at least 12 months old. If breastfeeding isn’t possible, use commercial infant formula.
Conclusion
Baby Led Weaning (BLW) offers a flexible, engaging approach to introducing solids that benefits both babies and parents. By following these guidelines, you can make the transition to solid foods safe, enjoyable, and nutritious for your baby.
For more personalised advice, consult your doctor or a trusted health professiona
