What Exactly Is Baby-Led Weaning?: The Basics of BLW
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your child’s pediatrician before making any changes to their diet or feeding approach, especially if you have concerns about nutrition, growth, or feeding difficulties. Read the full disclaimer here.
Starting solids is such an exciting milestone for you and your baby! But figuring out how to feed your baby can feel a bit overwhelming, and it’s one of the biggest questions I get asked as a pediatrician.
One method that’s gained a lot of popularity recently is baby-led weaning (BLW). It’s a method that encourages infant self-feeding, instead of traditional spoon-feeding with purees.
Now, it’s important to note that at this time, there are not many scientific studies on baby led weaning. Pediatrician advice on this topic can also vary. To my knowledge, the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t have an official policy statement on this method of feeding although they do have this fantastic article that explains baby led weaning on their HealthyChildren website.
In this post, I’m going to be sharing some basics about baby-led weaning – what it is, foods to try, and some practical tips. Please note that I neither encourage or discourage families from baby-led weaning. I think it’s a decision you have to make based on your individual comfort level, beliefs, and after having a discussion with your pediatrician.
Ultimately, as a parent, you have to decide what is best for you and your baby. Some parents feel very uncomfortable at the thought of baby-led weaning and that’s okay! It’s perfectly fine to start off with spoon feeding if that’s what you’re comfortable with. It’s also important to have a conversation with your child’s pediatrician, who can provide you with further guidance on whether your baby is ready to start solids and come up with a plan tailored to your baby’s needs.
Alright with that said, let’s talk about baby-led weaning!
What Is Baby-Led Weaning?
So, what exactly is baby-led weaning?!
Baby-led weaning is a method of introducing solid foods to infants 6+ months of age that encourages self-feeding and self-exploration of food.
The traditional method of starting solids is by offering pureed food via a spoon from 6-9 months of age, and then gradually progressing to table foods & finger foods around 9 months of age. In the baby-led weaning model, infants are introduced to soft, appropriately-sized finger foods that they can grasp and eat by themselves as early as 6 months of age.
So instead of parents spoon-feeding their infant a banana puree, they would instead offer soft, ripe spears of banana to their baby for them to pick up and eat on their own. The key is that the food is soft, easy to grasp, and carefully cut into an appropriate size to prevent choking. If you need a visual example, check out the photo below!
The thought is that baby-led weaning can help improve a baby’s independence, support oral motor development, and expose babies to a wide variety of textures from a young age. Again, it’s important to note that there are not many scientific studies that have been done on BLW yet to confirm these hypotheses.
How Do I Start Baby-Led Weaning?
If you decide that you want to give baby-led weaning a try – here are some important things to keep in mind when you get started. I know I sound like a broken record, but make sure you discuss this with your baby’s healthcare provider before getting started.
- Set up a safe eating environment. Use a high chair that allows your baby to sit upright with good support. Avoid distractions (like TVs or tablets) and stay close while they eat.
- Choose the right foods. Start with soft, easy-to-grasp foods like a very ripe banana, steamed broccoli, or roasted sweet potato. Infants first learn to grab with their whole hand, so cut soft food into stick shapes about the size and width of your pinky finger. For more guidance, or if you need a visual example, check out the photo below! Also, make sure food is very soft and mushes up easily when you press on it.
- Offer one or two foods at a time. Offer new foods one at a time, at least a few days apart.
- Let your baby lead. Avoid placing food directly in their mouth. Place it on their tray or plate and let them grasp it themselves – with constant adult supervision. It’s important to remember that they won’t actually eat much of the food. They may just play with the food and that’s okay too!
- Watch for gagging. Adult supervision is crucial whether you’re feeding purees, table foods, or finger foods. Gagging is part of the learning process on how to eat solids. Choking is rare when foods are properly prepared and supervision is consistent. However, it is extremely dangerous and something to monitor closely for.
Consider taking an infant CPR class before starting solids, just for peace of mind. If you want more information on choking vs. gagging, check out this amazing handout from Boston Children’s.
Best First Foods for BLW
Examples of foods that are appropriately sized for baby-led weaning. Photo credit: Canva
When starting BLW, focus on nutrient-dense foods that are soft and mush up when you press on them. Fruits should be very ripe, and vegetables should be steamed until very soft – not given raw. Cook pasta and meat for a little longer than normal to make them super soft.
Food should also be cut in strips or wedges, like in the photos above. A good rule of thumb is to cut them up into the size and width of your pinky to make it easier for little hands to grab!
Some great first options include:
- Steamed or roasted sweet potato sticks
- Ripe avocado slices
- Ripe banana cut into strips or wedges
- Cooked, shredded chicken
- Steamed broccoli “trees”
Avoid foods that are choking hazards—like whole grapes, raw carrots, popcorn, nuts, hard candy, or hot dogs. For young infants 6-9 months of age, don’t give pieces of food that are too small since they could become choking hazards.
Practical Tips for Baby-Led Weaning
- Start when baby is well-rested and not overly hungry. A calm, happy baby is more likely to explore new foods. Try offering solids in between feeds or at least 1 hour after.
- Embrace the mess. BLW is messy—and that’s a good thing! It means your baby is exploring new textures and learning to feed themselves. A splat mat under the high chair can help with cleanup.
- Don’t pressure. Keep the mood light and positive! Eating solids at this age is more about the process rather than how much they eat.
- Use safe food shapes and textures. Offer foods that are soft enough to mash between your fingers and cut into finger-sized sticks or shapes that are easy to grasp. If you need a visual example, check out the photo above!
- Stay close and supervise. Always sit with your baby during meals and watch them closely. Make sure they don’t put too much in their mouth!
Do I Have to Do Only BLW?
Not at all! Many families choose a “combo” approach that includes some self-feeding and some spoon-feeding with purees. The right feeding method is the one that works best for your baby and your family. BLW doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing, and it’s totally fine to adapt it as you go.
I hope you enjoyed this post on baby-led weaning, and got a little better understanding of what it is. If you want more information on starting solids for your infant, check out my Starting Solids 101 post here! Happy feeding!
