Moving from breastmilk or formula to solids can be a big step for parents… and it's often more overwhelming than it needs to be. That’s where baby-led weaning comes in! This approach is an alternative way of introducing solid foods that has been gaining popularity over the past decade. But what exactly is baby-led weaning and how can it help your little one make the transition? Let’s take a look at the basics, its benefits, and how you can get started.
What Is Baby-Led Weaning?
Baby-led weaning (or BLW) is an approach to feeding that allows babies to feed themselves from the very start. Rather than spoon feeding them purees and mashed foods, parents offer their child whole pieces of soft foods, allowing them to explore textures and tastes on their own terms. BLW also encourages parents and children to eat together as a family, helping little ones become accustomed to eating similar meals as their parents do.
Benefits of BLW
There are lots of advantages to practicing baby-led weaning!
Parents report that their children tend to have better table manners since they learn what it looks like when grownups eat properly.
Babies get used to chewing early on, which may help prevent choking.
Infants become more self confident when trying new things.
BLW tends to lead to less picky eaters by exposing your little one to a variety of flavors and textures early on.
How To Start With BLW
If you’re interested in trying out baby-led weaning with your child, make sure your child is developmentally ready; most experts recommend waiting until six months before introducing solid food using the BLW method. Second, read up on safety tips for choking prevention and always be prepared for any potential mishaps during meal time. Finally, look for recipes online or check out books about BLW so you can figure out what types of foods work best for your child’s age group! The book I like for more detailed BLW guidelines is Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide and “https://www.instagram.com/solidstarts/” is a great account on instagram to follow with all sorts of tips and food suggestions for your new eaters!
Baby-led weaning is an increasingly popular way of introducing solids into your baby's diet that allows them to explore flavors and textures on their own terms while also helping develop their independence and confidence. It's important that you prepare yourself by getting to know safety tips and food prep guidelines, but once you have everything ready it shouldn't take too long for both you and your little one to enjoy mealtimes together!
A Few Things to Remember
Please always consult your pediatrician before starting anything new with your child's diet!
This won’t be the right approach for everyone, and that’s okay!
When you choose BLW it doesn’t mean that you can never feed your baby purees. Even adults eat purees sometimes!
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