The term Baby Led Weaning is already familiar to some mothers, and you’ve probably heard of it too. This method of introducing solid foods, which originated in the UK, involves letting babies feed themselves as they begin eating at around 6 months of age.
The word “weaning” refers to the introduction of solid foods into the baby’s daily meals to complement breast milk or formula.
What Is Baby Led Weaning?
Besides being able to taste a variety of foods on their own, babies also become eager to try many healthy options. The ideal foods for Baby Led Weaning are finger foods—any food that can be grabbed by the baby’s tiny hands.
Baby Led Weaning emphasizes a child’s ability to chew slightly solid foods. Children often become more excited to feed themselves when they see their favorite meals and plates served.
The downside? A mess everywhere. But for our child’s development, what wouldn’t we do as parents?
Baby led weaning mungkin bikin berantakan, tetapi sangat membantu tumbuh kembang anak.
Eating together as a family is a very precious time. This is the perfect moment for your baby to practice their BLW skills. Give your child food similar to what other family members are eating—of course, food that is easy for them to chew and swallow.
Since children love to imitate, they’re sure to get excited about feeding themselves. The whole family will surely be entertained watching the baby eat on their own.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Baby Led Weaning (BLW)
This method of introducing solids cannot be practiced with all babies. Although it works well for most babies, it is not suitable for all, especially those born prematurely, with delayed oral motor development, or babies who are not interested in feeding themselves.
Benefits of BLW
Broadly speaking, BLW benefits include:
- Facilitating the development of muscle control around the mouth
- Providing a positive eating experience (not forced and enjoyable)
- Strengthening self-regulation
- Increasing familiarity with eating at the table and adult foods
- Helping children become adventurous eaters who enjoy trying new foods as they grow
Drawbacks of Baby Led Weaning
According to What to Expect, no feeding method is perfect. Despite many benefits, there are some downsides, including:
- Messiness. BLW can make mealtime messy, especially when babies are still learning to hold food and put it in their mouths.
- Nutritional adequacy. Babies who are breastfed get enough iron from breast milk until around 4–5 months old, but iron levels may decline after this age. That’s why pediatricians may recommend iron supplements or encourage babies to eat iron-rich solid foods. However, some babies may find it difficult to chew many iron-rich foods (like beef). Your doctor may also recommend continuing iron supplements during the first year as an extra precaution.
Food Choices for BLW
Baby led weaning perlu proses panjang dan kesabaran Bunda.
It’s not difficult to choose foods your child will like. Just make sure all the foods are highly nutritious.
Broccoli and carrots can be steamed, while fruits like bananas, mangoes, or papayas are also perfect for their little fingers.
Of course, food pieces should not be too large to avoid choking hazards before they have a chance to chew.
Is Nutritional Intake Still Adequate?
Babies enjoying BLW will try all the foods that adults eat. If your little one has an older sibling, make sure the sibling doesn’t eat snacks in front of the baby.
You should also keep monitoring what goes into your child’s mouth. They might eat anything they find!
Continue providing breast milk or appropriate formula to maintain their immune system.
The Right Time for Baby Led Weaning
Let your child eat independently between breakfast and lunch, as well as in the late afternoon before dinner. Avoid doing BLW when your baby is very hungry because they might get upset if the food isn’t what they expect — for example, if it’s too hard or bland.
If your child refuses to eat and asks for milk, just let it be, because the BLW process isn’t always easy.
Avoid BLW If…
Although generally safe, there are some baby conditions where BLW is not recommended, including:
- Premature babies born at 36 weeks gestation or earlier.
- Babies with low birth weight.
- Babies with developmental delays.
- Special needs babies who can’t chew well or have difficulty grasping and bringing food to their mouth.
- Babies with a history of certain food allergies.
- Babies with cleft lip.
- Babies with hypotonia (muscle weakness).
Safe Tips for Practicing BLW
- To avoid frustration from messy floors, place a mat under the high chair or use a plastic sheet if your baby sits on the floor or carpet.
- Never leave your baby alone when chewing solid foods for the first time. Even if the food is very soft, babies might not chew thoroughly enough yet.
- Make sure the food texture stays soft. At first, food should be soft enough for your little one who is still learning to chew. Avoid hard or crunchy foods.
- Prepare food appropriate to your child’s age. For a 6-month-old just starting solids, offer sliced pieces they can hold and chew from top to bottom.
- Continue breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Maintain the same feeding frequency as usual since babies get most of their nutrition from breast milk or formula throughout the first year.
- Offer a variety of foods. Over time, expose your baby to different options to help develop their taste and reduce picky eating later. Serve foods with different colors and textures. Include at least one iron-rich food per meal.
- Make sure your baby sits upright in the high chair while eating. Don’t let them eat while crawling, playing, or lying down, and avoid feeding in strollers or cars.
- Watch for allergic reactions. It’s important to recognize signs of food allergy — such as hives, skin swelling, tongue swelling, sneezing, wheezing, tight throat, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, and diarrhea — and consult your pediatrician for guidance.
That’s the explanation about Baby Led Weaning. Feel free to share your experiences with BLW, Mom!
Translated with permission from theAsianparent Indonesia
