Baby-led weaning is growing in popularity as a method for introducing solid foods to infants. Instead of spoon-feeding purees, babies are allowed to feed themselves whole foods from the start. This approach has many benefits and is easy to get started with, whether you have recently welcomed a new baby into your life or you are a foster carer with little ones.
What is Baby-led Weaning?
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an approach where babies feed themselves whole pieces of food from the start of weaning. The baby joins in on family mealtimes and explores real foods at their own pace. Parents provide a variety of healthy finger foods and allow the infant to choose what and how much to eat. There is no spoon feeding – the baby grasps food and feeds themselves.
Benefits of Baby-led Weaning
There are many advantages to BLW over traditional weaning with purees. Here are some of the main benefits:
- Promotes motor skills. Self-feeding encourages hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Babies learn to grasp, bring food to their mouth, chew and swallow on their own.
- Encourages self-regulation. When allowed to control the feeding process, babies learn to recognise feelings of hunger and fullness. This may promote healthier eating behaviours.
- Prevents picky eating. Babies are exposed to a variety of textures and flavours right away, which may prevent food rejection and fussiness down the road.
- Supports oral and gut health. Chewing whole foods gradually develops oral motor skills. And a variety of flavours boosts gut health and microbiome diversity.
- Makes mealtimes more social. Baby is included in family meals right from the start, promoting joint attention, bonding and conversation.
- Easier transition to family foods. When babies eat the same foods as the rest of the family from the beginning, there is no need to transition from purees later on.
How to Get Started with Baby-led Weaning?
Getting started with BLW is simple. Here are some tips:
- Wait until around 6 months. BLW should not begin before your baby can sit up, hold their head steady and grasp objects. These skills usually emerge around 6 months.
- Offer soft finger foods. Good starters include sticks of cooked vegetables, whole fruits like pear or peach, toast strips, pasta spirals and baby crackers. Cook foods until they are soft but still holding shape.
- Let baby explore. Place foods on the highchair tray or plate and allow baby to touch, mush and bring to mouth at their own pace. Do not force feed.
- Stay nearby and supervise. To prevent choking, always stay close by, watch carefully and allow baby to explore. Avoid hard, round foods whole at first.
- Try a variety of foods and textures. Offer a rainbow of colours and flavours. Gradually introduce soft cooked meats, eggs, dairy and more textured items like seedy bread and soft lumps. You can use your fostering allowance to provide them with healthy, quality foods.
- Make it social. Have baby join family meals from the start. Sit together, eat the same foods and talk about flavours and textures.
- Respond to cues. Allow baby to stop eating when full. Look for signs of readiness like opening mouth, reaching for food. Stop if the baby seems uninterested.
Baby-led weaning promotes healthy eating habits and development when started following safety guidelines. Allow your baby to explore a variety of whole foods at their own pace and enjoy the journey together. This approach sets up great eating behaviours for life.
