Most parents choose to introduce solid food into their babies’ nutrition using the same method heard from friends and spread on the Internet, with spoons full of pureed mixtures, given to the little ones at times strictly controlled by adults, according to a well-established schedule.
What many of them don’t know is that this method is a surefire recipe for ”creating” fussy little ones prone to the famous mealtime skits. An even more serious consequence is the fact that future tendencies towards obesity also result from such habits, and the consumption of junk food becomes part of the regular diet. We did it differently.
Meet a new approach: Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is seen as a revolutionary method of introducing solid foods and is on the rise, adopted by an increasing number of parents. But what does it consist of? The principle is simple. We allow the baby to self-feed while we gradually introduce new foods alongside breast milk or formula. Many consider baby-led weaning a superior method to spoon-feeding and the best way to form healthy eating habits from an early age.
The fundamental difference between classical weaning and baby-led weaning lies in the order in which the child understands and learns feeding. When fed pureed food, the baby first learns to swallow and then chew. In baby-led weaning, the child first learns to chew and then to swallow, as we all know is normal and natural.
Important objects for baby-led weaning (BLW)
1. The right tableware
From the beginning of solids, you can choose from a variety of practical and environmentally friendly plates, bowls, glasses, cups, and cutlery (made of silicone or natural bamboo). The bowls and plates are equipped with anti-slip suction cups, which securely fix the bowl to the table chair tray or any shiny surface to prevent accidents. You can choose from many models and colors HERE .
2. Silicone bib with pocket
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is a dirty business. That’s why 1-2 soft silicone bibs with a pocket for collecting food scraps are absolutely necessary. They clean very easily, they are very nice and above all very practical. You can order them online HERE .
3. A good cheap dining chair
You need a good cheap dining chair that is easy to clean. We didn’t find the point of expensive table chairs. They get dirty just as quickly and are bulky and uncomfortable. This chair is our favorite: ”IKEA Antilop high chair with tray”. It has excellent proportions and is very practical, durable, and affordable.
The advantages and benefits of baby-led weaning (BLW)
- Less stress. The whole experience of introducing the solids to the child will be more fun. It will be even dirtier, but that’s part of the fun, right? It’s BLW because we allow the child to dictate the pace of learning, while you, the parent, only supervise and provide support, without stressing about what they eat or DON’T eat.
- Choosing healthy foods. Babies are allowed to try a rich variety of tastes and textures from an early age, and this encourages them to make healthy food choices for themselves as they grow. We also lessen the chances of them becoming fussy.
- The fight against obesity. Since babies are allowed to eat according to their appetite, they will not eat more than they need and will not make a habit of it. Some days the children will eat more, others less. When children are fed by their parents, they are always encouraged to finish their plate or take ”one more mouthful”, even when they are clearly not hungry anymore.
- Develops mastication. Since the baby is encouraged to chew from the beginning, chewing develops much faster than in the case of spoon-fed babies. Purees do not require chewing, they just need to be swallowed.
- Develops hand-eye coordination. Having them use their hands to bring food to their mouths does wonders for developing coordination. The different shapes and textures of food, and later the handling of cutlery, are great elements for this development.
- It’s just easier. Having to mash all the time is time-consuming and inconvenient. Baby-led weaning is much simpler!
When is the baby ready?
Experts suggest waiting until around 6 months before introducing solids, but that doesn’t mean all babies will be ready at that exact age. We recommend introducing solids anytime between 6-8 months, carefully monitoring reactions to introduced foods. From a developmental point of view, it is understandable why it is recommended to introduce solids starting at 6 months, this is the period when the baby learns to sit unsupported, can maintain his balance in a table chair and can grasp objects with his hands.
Babies are different, some may be ready as early as 6 months, while others don’t seem ready until the end of the 8th month of life. In order not to be guided by age, we can look for the following signs to determine if the baby is ready to feed itself:
- can sit in the table chair without being supported (doesn’t fall on one side)
- has head control when sitting
- he began to grasp small objects in his hands
- wants to grab food from the parent’s plate and shows interest in participating at mealtime
- he likes to explore hands, fingers, toys and other objects with his mouth
- has adequate intestinal transit
- breathe calmly and regularly
- the baby’s lips, tongue and cheeks are normal in color
What are the right foods as first choices in BLW?
- Banana is a great first food to introduce to your baby. It is recommended to cut the banana into pieces that the baby can grab and hold in their hands.
- Red or yellow watermelon . They are soft, juicy fruits, easy to chew and, on top of that, very healthy (if you manage to introduce the first foods in the warm season).
- Avocado is very soft, full of healthy fats and can be served raw.
- Steamed carrots , cut to the thickness of a finger. They are easy to handle, soft and full of nutrients (when cooked properly).
- Broccoli is another great option, steamed.
Basically, any fruit or vegetable that is easy to grab and hold is a perfect choice for BLW.
What are the foods to avoid in BLW?
- Anything that presents a choking hazard. For example, nuts of any kind or peanut butter served as such. Nuts can be offered ground, peanut butter can be prepared at home and diluted with water.
- Any food with added salt or sugar. Especially salt, it can damage the baby’s kidneys.
- Foods produced by industrial processing. Here we do not think further explanation is necessary.
About allergies and intolerances
Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months has been shown to reduce the risk of developing food allergies. But even if a baby has been exclusively breastfed, it’s important to monitor for symptoms of food allergies and intolerances and contact your pediatrician if you have concerns. There are differences between food allergy and food intolerance.
A food allergy is an immune system response to a particular food that can be identified by markers in the blood or stool.
Food intolerance is an inflammatory response in the digestive system to a particular food. Food allergies can be determined through tests, while intolerances can be spotted by careful monitoring of symptoms. Some children have intolerances to wheat and dairy proteins, but they cannot be diagnosed with food allergies.
The most common food allergies:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Over
- Wheat
- peanuts
- soy
- shellfish
- NUTS
Introducing these foods sooner rather than later is recommended, with careful monitoring of any immune or digestive response. Delaying the introduction of certain foods increases the chances of food allergies (the sooner the better).
Common symptoms of food allergies and intolerances:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, cramps
- Stool with blood/mucus
- Reactive airway problems
- Skin irritations/eczema
- Facial skin (swollen, dark circles, red ears, red cheeks)
- Headaches
- Chronic sinus or ear infections
- Neurological symptoms (poor attention, hyperactivity, sleep disturbances)
How to start BLW?
- Choose a suitable time , when the baby is not hungry, but not full either. If he is hungry he can be grumpy, and if he is full he will not be willing to eat.
- Place the baby at the table with the whole family. Ideally, you should practice BLW when the rest of the family is also eating; this makes the baby feel included in family activities. There are two good options here. We put the baby in a high chair or sit in someone’s arms, the important thing is to make sure that he sits straight and the head does not lie back (to avoid drowning).
- Set up an area around the chair to minimize the ”disaster” (which will inevitably happen). We recommend wearing something that washes easily; a tarp would work great. The baby can only eat in a diaper and with a good bib.
- Give the baby food, it’s good that everyone eats the same thing, especially if it’s fruit or vegetables. Give him pieces he can handle, but big enough so he can’t choke on them. Foods of various textures and consistencies are great for sparking their curiosity.
- Let him eat at his own pace, this is a key element of picking food. Put the food in front of him and allow him to explore and taste as he prefers. Take your time, there’s no rush! He will probably play with the food at first, so don’t expect him to eat very quickly. It’s all part of the learning process.
- Offer water in a glass or mug, but don’t expect them to drink right away. In fact, many babies will prefer to drink milk from the breast or bottle at first.
Additional tips for baby-led weaning
- Forget about ”baby food”, i.e. jars of purees from the store. You will use pieces of real food, preferably soft fruits and vegetables.
- It doesn’t have to be vegetables. If the rest of the family eats pasta, it’s perfectly fine to give the baby the same (cut into smaller pieces). One of the biggest benefits of BLW is getting your baby involved in family meals. Just make sure the foods don’t have salt, added sugar, or spices that could irritate him.
- No bowls that could be thrown off the table. If you want to use a bowl or plate, choose something that attaches to the baby’s table.
- Don’t overwhelm him with too many options . Only give him a few morsels at a time.
- Don’t put the food in his mouth. The goal is to let babies be in control, and forcing them can lead to drowning.
- If he has a gag reflex, don’t panic . It is the best way to move the food in the mouth. We know it can be alarming, but there’s nothing to worry about.
- BLW time can sometimes be frustrating for babies . They are hungry, and feeding yourself is not the easiest thing. It is best to schedule these sessions between feedings of milk, so that the baby is not fussy or hungry.
- Dining in nature is a very good idea if you have this option. It’s a great way to get rid of dirt in the house.
- Don’t get stuck on 3 meals a day. Guide yourself by the program that is most suitable for you. Sometimes they really aren’t hungry, sometimes you won’t have time. It’s okay, go at your own pace.
- Take pictures! This will be an experience you will want to capture, and it won’t last long! You will appreciate these photos that will remind you of funny and… dirty times!
BLW and drowning. Do we have cause for concern?
You may worry, and rightly so, about the possibility of drowning. In fact, it is always a big concern, and there may be situations where children will have such moments during baby-led weaning. However, in fact, we are much more likely to choke when we spoon-feed the baby when we put food into the baby’s mouth instead of letting the baby be in control.
The ”secret” to BLW is to give them bigger pieces of food to chew. The good thing is that the baby will not be physically able to bite a piece of food if he is unable to swallow it, which is nature’s way of protecting him from choking.
You should know that there is a difference between choking and gag reflex (HERE is our article related to this subject). The gag reflex is quite common during BLW and is not a cause for concern. The gag reflex is most likely to happen and it doesn’t mean the baby is choking, it helps the baby move the food into the mouth. Even though it seems hard not to intervene, it’s best to let the baby handle the gag without looking visibly affected. If we get scared, we can unreasonably scare the baby. Babies don’t need teeth to chew because they have very strong gums. It is enough that the pieces are relatively soft and of a suitable size. HERE is an example of a common gag reflex:
A first aid course is a good idea if you want to be prepared in case of actual choking. You can probably find one in your area, and some classes are specialized for children. It could give you more confidence! A cute animation about what we do if we face a case of drowning can be found HERE :
What are the disadvantages of baby-led weaning (BLW)?
Of course, BLW has more than just advantages. The biggest downside, and the one most people will immediately name, is the DIRT. At first, the food will be on your baby’s hands, on the floor, all over your face, even on you. Practically everywhere, only in the baby’s mouth no. Dirt also makes it difficult to estimate the amount of food actually consumed by the child. This process is only difficult at first, because over time the little ones will eat more and more and make less and less mess. In addition, even the dirt so loved by parents has enormous benefits for the development of the little ones.
In the end
Do you have experience with BLW and want to share it with other parents? We want to hear your opinion and advice.
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