Baby-led weaning is a method that started in the UK that “lets your child feed themselves from the very start of weaning.” (weaning here means adding solid foods to complement the baby’s primary diet of breastmilk or formula.)
It entails introducing your baby to solids by your child soft-cooked foods cut or mashed into small pieces and allowing them to “self-feed” instead of spoon-feeding.
According to the baby led weaning website, most babies reach for food at around six months, which is around the time that mothers are encouraged to start weaning.
What can you read in this article?
- How to start baby led weaning
- Baby led weaning starter foods
- Benefits of baby led weaning
Baby led weaning
Photo: Dreamstime
Baby-led weaning refers to feeding your baby only finger foods and allowing them to feed themselves from the start. You can provide a selection of small bites that are finger-sized.
Some parents favor baby-led weaning over spoon-feeding, while others combine the two approaches. There is no right or wrong way to feed your kid; what is important is that he or she eats a variety of foods and gets all of the nutrients he or she needs.
For drinks, give your baby sips of water from an open or free-flow cup. Using an open cup or a free-flow cup without a valve will assist your infant in learning to drink while also benefiting his or her teeth.
It is vital to disinfect the water if your infant is under the age of six months by boiling it first and then allowing it to cool fully.
READ MORE:
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Baby food 101: The basics all moms and dads should know!
Baby led weaning starter foods
Photo: Fotolia
Give your infant a small amount of solid food once a day. Begin by blending, mashing, or soft cooking single vegetables and fruits, such as broccoli, potato, sweet potato, carrot, or apple.
You might also try mixing rice with baby’s milk for your child. Don’t forget to check if any cooked food has totally cooled before offering it to your baby.
Foods that may trigger allergic reactions should also be introduced one at a time, in very little amounts, to ensure that any reaction is noticed. This may include:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Nuts and peanuts
- Seeds
- Food that contain gluten
Benefits of baby led weaning
- it facilitates the development of oral motor control
- makes eating a positive and interactive experience
- it strengthens self-regulation
- increases exposure to table food
- it helps kids become more adventurous eaters later in life
It’s not for everyone, though. Though it works for some babies, it does not work for all—especially those born prematurely, babies with oral motor delays, or those who aren’t interested in self-feeding.
How to start baby led weaning
Around 6 months of age, most healthy, full-term newborns are ready to begin solid meals. However, before you introduce solid meals or finger foods to your infant, make sure he or she has met the following developmental milestones:
- Baby is at least 6 months old.
- Is able to sit on his own.
- Baby is able to keep his head firm and straight.
- Can effortlessly pick up objects and bring them to his or her mouth.
- Baby eats by mouthing it or leaning forward for it.
Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Make sure your baby is ready for solids.
Before you give your baby her first solid meal, she should meet the following criteria:
- your baby must be at least six months old
- must be able to stay in a sitting position and hold her head steady
- your baby should be able to coordinate their eyes, hands, and mouth
2. Do your research.
Read up on other parents’ experiences with baby led weaning so you’ll know what to prepare for, and if baby led weaning is right for you and your baby.
3. Skip “baby food.”
So long as you’re not adding salt or sugar, soft-cooked whole foods should be good for your baby. Start with a size that would be easy to grip. Most people steam carrots or cut up cucumbers, but you can also serve your baby a pile of spaghetti or mashed potato.
4. No bowls.
It’ll just end up on the floor. Serve the food on the highchair tray and remember that this is a learning experience for your baby. Which leads to the next item…
5. Anticipate mess.
Lots of it.
6. Enjoy it.
Take out your camera and capture these lovely, messy moments. This will be over before you know it, so savor every moment.
What to do and not to do during baby led weaning
Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels
DO:
- Make a noise-free eating environment by removing loud, unexpected noises.
- Put your baby in a completely upright highchair, preferably one with a footplate and detachable tray, so he or she can eat at the table with you.
- Allow your child to eat on his or her own. This requires picking up the meal and delivering it to their own lips.
- Provide your baby with large portions of food that he or she can pick up and handle.
- Reduce the size of the food to smaller pieces as your baby’s pincer grasp improves.
- Allow your child to get dirty! Self-feeding entails a certain amount of mess, which may assist prevent picky eating later on.
- Provide a limited number of options. At each meal, provide small servings of a variety of items at the same time.
DO NOT:
- Always keep your finger out of his or her mouth. Allow your child to feed himself.
- If you want your baby to eat, don’t make him or her force it. Your baby must select how much to eat.
- To get food out of your baby’s mouth, never put your fingers in his or her mouth. By theatrically pushing out your tongue, encourage them to spit out a large piece of food that has broken off and entered their mouth.
- If you want your child to sit quietly for a meal, don’t use distractions (phones, videos, music, television, reading, etc.).
Additional information from Margaux Dolores
