What Is Baby-Led Weaning, And Is It Right For You?

And just like that, your little bundle of joy is now ready for solid food. Even as you try to wrap your head around the fact that your baby is growing so quickly, you’re probably also figuring out which method of feeding to get your baby started on solids. 

Baby-led weaning is a feeding method that is fast gaining popularity, especially among millennial parents, as it aligns with their values of fostering independence and embracing natural development. 

But first, what is baby-led weaning?

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is a feeding approach that allows your baby to take charge of their own feeding journey. Unlike traditional weaning, where purees and spoon-feeding are the norm, baby-led weaning encourages infants to explore a variety of age-appropriate solid foods, promoting self-feeding from the very start. Your little one learns to feed themselves, developing essential motor skills, hand-eye coordination and a healthy relationship with food.

How to start baby-led weaning 

When your baby is around six months of age, is able to sit up independently and is starting to show an interest in the food you eat, they’re likely ready to start solids. Start with soft, nutritious finger foods like steamed vegetables, ripe fruits and well-cooked meats.

Avoid choking hazards such as whole grapes or nuts. A great resource to help you on your BLW journey is Solid Starts. They have a ton of guides – free and paid – to help you figure out what to serve your baby and how to prepare various ingredients according to your baby’s age. 

With BLW, the key is to let your baby explore, touch, smell and taste different textures. Offer a variety of foods to expand their palate and encourage a healthy attitude towards eating. One great way to do that is to include your little one during family mealtimes – proponents of BLW encourage serving your baby whatever you’re eating, just cut up in the appropriate sizes and without added salt or sugar. Babies learn by observing, so having them share in your meals fosters a positive eating environment.

The pros and cons of baby-led weaning 

Fans of BLW will tell you that baby-led weaning promotes self-sufficiency and allows your child to develop essential skills at their own pace. By exploring a variety of food, they are also more likely to develop a diverse and balanced diet from an early age, reducing the likelihood of picky eating later on.

Self-feeding also enhances your baby’s fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and chewing abilities, which is essential for speech development. Furthermore,  if your baby is eating whatever you eat (minus the salt and sugar), it makes meal prep that much more convenient. 

The downside, however, is BLW can be a (very) messy affair. As your little one explores different textures and tastes, be prepared for your dining area to be covered with splatters and spat-up food. BLW requires time and patience so if you do decide to opt for BLW, embrace the chaos! It’s all part of the learning process. 

Choosing the right method for your family 

Like many first-time millennial mums, I was eager to jump on the BLW bandwagon. I’d done all my research, signed up for the paid features on the Solid Starts app and joined several BLW groups on Facebook – I was ready! 

Initially, when my baby was six to seven months old, BLW was easy enough as milk was still his main source of nutrition. At the time, I was breastfeeding my baby about six times a day and supplementing that with two meals of solids a day – usually some steamed fruit or vegetables, cut in the appropriate size for his age.

However, as he reached around 9 or 10 months old, his weight gain was stagnating and I started to worry whether he was getting enough food. He was usually just nibbling on his food and a lot of it was ending up on the floor. Plus, my baby is allergic to dairy and eggs so that eliminated many different types of food from his diet. I was worried that continuing this feeding approach would be insufficient to meet his nutritional needs. 

All these factors were the reason why I decided to switch things up and take a more measured approach to BLW. While I still offer him finger foods with each meal, I now blend his food and spoon-feed him so that I can better gauge how much food he is eating in a day. Today, my baby is 14 months old and is gaining weight steadily. Here’s what his typical feeding schedule looks like at this age:

• 7am: Breast milk
• 9.30am: Breakfast – cereal with either oat or soy milk and two types of fruits 
• 11.30am: Breast milk 
• 1pm: Lunch – porridge with a protein (usually fish or tofu) with two types of vegetables, a fruit
• 4pm: Breast milk 
• 6pm: Dinner – pasta with a protein (usually chicken or fish) with two to three types of vegetables
• 7pm: Breast milk
• 7.30pm: Sleep 

While my baby and I don’t have mealtimes together (unless we’re out in a restaurant), I try to encourage self-feeding by letting him have a spoon so he can feed himself. I also try to include finger foods with each meal (for example, bread, rice crackers, fruits, steamed sweet potatoes) so that he can practise his chewing skills and still be exposed to different textures of food. I also take care not to blend his food too finely so that he is exposed to lumpier textures that are appropriate for his age. 

Deciding between baby-led weaning, traditional weaning, or a mix of both depends on your family’s particular circumstances. BLW offers a unique and empowering approach to introducing solid foods, allowing your little one to embark on a journey of taste, texture and independence.

As millennial parents, embracing this method aligns perfectly with our desire to raise confident, self-sufficient individuals. However, the right choice ultimately depends on your family’s preferences and your baby’s needs. Whichever method you choose, remember that the most important aspect of feeding is the love and care you provide, creating a positive foundation for your child’s relationship with food that will last a lifetime.