When people ask me about baby led weaning, not going to lie, it makes me a little giddy! There are so many benefits to it, not to mention it’s the lazy way out! (I mean, come on! Tired parents across the board, can I get an amen?!)
“What even is it?” you ask? Baby led weaning (BLW) is gradually weaning baby off an all milk diet, and where you give your baby the independence of feeding them self from the time baby is ready to eat solids. Baby led weaning would mean skipping spoon feeding baby pureed food and instead giving whole pieces of food and allowing them to put it into their mouth on their own time.
Before you get started, you need to make sure baby is developmentally ready for solids.
I know that feeding solids can be fun, but it’s not worth the risk factors of feeding too soon. Baby has her whole life ahead of her to eat solids, truly, there is NO rush! Food before one is usually just for fun, remember that! Here are some readiness milestones to look at before starting-
Baby is able to sit up on his own. When baby is able to sit up on his own without support, this helps reduce the risk of choking.
Baby has lost the tongue thrust reflex. Notice if your baby pushes her tongue out of her mouth when her lips are shut- this is essential for baby getting milk from the breast or bottle but means baby is not yet ready to take on solids. This reflex may also kick in if baby was offered foods, so if baby pushes them out of her mouth with her tongue, the reflex is still there, and solids should be delayed.
Baby has developed the pincer grasp. This is where baby will take his index finger and thumb to pick up a tiny object.
Baby is eager for mealtime. Your baby tries to grab food, or mimics chewing.
Baby is at least 6 months old. Keep in mind that feeding a baby too little could damage their digestive tract and their virgin gut. Of course, talk with your doctor, but remember that doctors are not nutritionists and may recommend outdated information (such as babies starting solids around 3 months old.) As long as baby is gaining enough weight, and having enough wet/dirty diapers, breastmilk or formula is all baby needs until 12 months of age! Food before one is usually just for fun.
Baby meets ALL the milestones. For safety reasons, it really is best if baby meets all the solid readiness milestones. There are some medical instances where baby may need something other than breastmilk or formula, so unless medically necessary, waiting is best!
Baby led weaning has so many benefits for baby!
BLW teaches baby to chew their food before swallowing. Think of giving baby pureed food- they have no reason to chew before swallowing- a skill that is necessary for them to be able to eat other foods.
BLW empowers their little selves to be able to self regulate what they eat. Babies are naturally intuitive eaters. They will eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. Think of spoon feeding a baby- the baby has no say over when she eats, if she is ready for more, or if she is full.
BLW is a great way to involve baby in meal time. There is research out there that says children who eat meals at the dinner table with their family are generally better off. This article here is a really good read to find out more why it’s so important for family’s to eat meals together.
BLW is easier than the alternative. How nice to be able to eat your food while baby eats his food? No need for sitting in front of baby spoon feeding them while your plate of food gets cold. Of course, it’s important to remember you’re not off the hook! BLW still requires you to be attentive. It’s never okay, no matter which method of introducing solids you choose, to assume baby will be okay all on their own. Baby should be monitored the entire time.
With BLW, you know exactly what you’re feeding your baby. Since you’ll be skipping buying baby food (pre packaged) and serving baby whole foods you’re familiar with, you will know exactly what your baby is eating.
Here’s what to know when starting BLW.
Gagging is normal. Baby is learning how to chew and swallow for the very first time ever! Choking is not normal. Gagging is to be expected. I recommend you do some research to familiarize yourself between the difference of gagging vs choking, and how to handle a choking baby, whether or not you decide to do BLW.
Expect messes. Since baby is getting the freedom to feed himself, expect it to get a little messy! Learning to pick up food can be a slippery task, and sorry mom and dad, but food’s going to get dropped and smushed. Silicone catch bibs are a great, easy to clean bib option.
You need to stay involved. Just because baby is independently feeding herself doesn’t mean you should stick her in a high chair while you walk away. Aside from safety reasons for leaving baby unattended, it will be extremely helpful if you stay near by as this gives baby a sense of security and confidence. This is also a really great time to bond and spend time learning a new skill.
Chew with them. I know, this one sounds kind of weird, but this is what I mean- babies instinctively mimc those around them. You have to remember that baby is new to chewing. Once baby brings food up to his mouth, show them how to chew. Dramatically open and close your mouth after saying the word “chew.” You will certainly look a little silly, but it’s a very helpful practice to integrate.
How to do BLW.
Fill up first on breastmilk or formula. It is important for baby to consume breastmilk or formula before you start a meal, as this should be their main source of nutrition for the first at least 9-12 months of life.
Bring baby up to the table. Place baby in a high chair near where you usually eat your meals. Remember, you want them close.
Give baby whole foods that are easy to chew. I would really urge you to give your baby whole foods (foods that have no extra additives and haven’t been processed.) Make sure they’re easy to chew, as you will likely be giving foods when baby has little to no teeth, not to mention, softer foods will be the safest bet and easier to learn to chew.
Let baby decide when to eat it. This is where BLW empowers baby to make his own food choices, what and when to eat. As adults, we usually want to rush processes along, especially when our littles are learning a new skill, because we know how to do it faster and more effectively. Let baby play with their food. Let baby decide when to eat it. When baby chooses when to eat, he is less likely to choke and more likely to be receptive to eating. This may be a great time for you to re explore the skill of patiently waiting and relinquishing control!
When baby has put food in her mouth, maintain eye contact and chew with her! Teach baby how to chew with your mouth wide open, like I mentioned above under Here’s what to know when starting BLW, and maintain eye contact. Eye contact gives them the reassurance and confidence they need. Also, if you keep eye contact, baby is more receptive (this is even true when trying to teach baby a new word! Eye contact is powerful!)
Remain calm. If baby gags, which is likely to happen, DO NOT freak out. BLW would be a great time to practice getting a rein on your emotional and physical responses. Remember, as mentioned above, babies are hard wired to mimic responses- if baby starts to gag and you gasp and jump up, it will probably trigger your baby to do the same. This could potentially lead to your baby choking. The best thing to do in this situation would be to make eye contact, and calmly make chewing motions with your mouth while verbally saying the word “chew.” Often times, baby is able to figure it out without any physical help. Of course, you need to use your judgment.
Offer praise! Who doesn’t love praise?! Be sure to speak aloud how proud you are of your baby, and how well they are learning this new skill. Praise effects them in such positive ways!
Other helpful tips and tricks.
Introduce 1-2 new foods per week. Doing it this way is a more simple way to find out if baby has any food sensitivities or allergies. If you limit the different kinds of foods you give, it is an easier way to pin point exactly what may have caused the reaction.
Start with veggies. Starting with vegetables is not only extremely healthy, but it could contribute to baby not having a preference for only sweet things, such as fruit. Buy organic when you can.
Baby might only play with the food for a while. This is normal and is absolutely okay! Again, doing the BLW approach, we are giving baby the independence to eat on their own terms. Feeling out textures is new, and baby may want to become familiar with the texture and how to grip it before she eats it. Even if baby doesn’t eat any of it, call it a success and just a part of the BLW process. Try again tomorrow!
Use sign language. Babies can usually speak with their bodies before they are developmentally able to verbally speak. “Eat,” “more,” and “all done,” are great words to integrate into meal time.
Some first food ideas.
Again, I prefer to start with vegetables. After a month or so, then we will introduce fruits, and then after that, introduce animal products like meats and eggs.
Avocado. High in good fats and easy to chew.
Cooked sweet potato. High in vitamin A, which is great for healthy immune function, eye sight, and many other organ functions.
Cooked carrot. Much like sweet potato, carrots are also high in vitamin A.
Banana. These are loaded with potassium and vitamin B6, amongst many other things.
Kiwi. Kiwi is high in vitamin C, even more so than oranges! Vitamin C plays a vital role in supporting a healthy immune system and aids iron absorption.
Grass fed beef. An excellent source of iron! Beef in particular is an easily absorbed form of iron (heme iron).
For even more ideas, I highly recommend the book Nourished Beginnings Baby Food by Renee Kohley. This book isn’t necessarily all about baby led weaning, as her book does include some puree recipes, but goodness gracious, it is loaded with so many amazing whole food recipes for little ones, and so much knowledge. A great tool to have!
With just about everything in life, there’s never a one size fits all approach. Baby led weaning will be the right way for some families, and not for others. It’s okay. We are all in this together and doing what works best for us.
Tell me in the comments, have you tried BLW or would you want to? I would love to hear personal experiences!
Blessings, love, and light.
Xo, Ashley
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