Everything You Need To Know Before Starting Solids With Baby-Led Weaning
Baby-led weaning is the most natural way for your baby to experience solid foods. While this style of feeding veers from the traditional method of spoon-feeding with purees, research shows that it can be done safely and provides many short and long-term benefits that traditional adult-led feeding does not.
Studies have shown that some of the benefits of baby-led weaning include: gross motor skill development, appetite control, greater food trust, less picky eating behaviors in toddlerhood and beyond, and it is often easier for families because they are able to make and serve one meal for the whole family, where everyone feeds themselves.
I have gathered the facts you need to know about baby-led weaning and the helpful tips you can follow when you start solids, so you can do so with confidence, and experience less stress through the process.
First, we’ll talk about the 7 steps to getting started. Then, we will dive into some important nutritional information laid out by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and from there, move on to what you can expect, how to serve foods, supplies you’ll need, myths, and meal inspiration. Let’s dive in…
The 7 steps to getting started
Step 1: Consult your pediatrician to choose the right time to begin feeding.
Step 2: Discuss with your partner and get on the same page so there is shared understanding and support through the process. Share resources and know what to expect and what to do, together.
Step 3: Choose an easy to wipe down high chair. (OXO tot, Abiie, WeeSprout are great options)
Step 4: Select a bib that they can grow into. You may want to choose one that they cannot rip off when they are a few months older. My personal preference is Baby Bjorn bib because it is silicone and has a reservoir that catches any drips and spills that would otherwise soil baby’s pants. Make sure the bib you choose also does not restrict their natural movements.
Step 5: Choose the food you will serve and prepare it to a safe size and softness. More on how to do this below.
Step 6: Sit with baby whenever they eat to ensure safety and help as needed.
*Additional peace of mind tip: Consider taking an infant CPR class with American Red Cross, or reviewing the most recent safety recommendations for handling choking in infants. This will help you feel prepared if there were to be an emergency. Remember choking is rare, gagging is common.
*Optional tools needed for the full baby led weaning experience would be utensils and an open cup. Grabease is the only cutlery I recommend when starting because babies can actually grab these correctly and properly use from day one. As for open cups, ezpz and mushie have great options. Also think about getting covered baby cups for times you want to relax and not have to assist with drinking (open cups require assistance for minimal mess.) Lastly, a baby toothbrush.
Nutrition needs to know about
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, iron deficiency is one of the most common problems among children. It is frequently not detected and it has long-term health implications for development. I don’t want you to stress. Instead, I want you to feel informed and do what you can to serve foods that are iron-rich. Here is a list for you:
- Beef
- Pork
- Dark turkey
- Winter squash
- Sweet potatoes
- Egg yolks
- Beans
- Lentils
- Oatmeal
- Tuna
- Kale
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Fortified products
Introducing Allergens
Recent studies have shown that introducing peanut products early can reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy. First, it is important to consider whether your child is at no, low, moderate or high risk of having a peanut allergy. See below about how to determine your baby’s risk level and always check with your Pediatrician as needed.
According to an article published by Healthline – if your child has no or low risk of a peanut allergy, peanut butter or peanut puff products can be introduced at 6 months.
It’s also important to know that – thick peanut butter can be a choking hazard. So, serve a thin spread of it. You could also dilute it with water.
Always serve a creamy peanut butter – never a chunky one.
Here is how to keep an eye out for allergies after baby has eaten peanut butter, according to the Healthline article:
- Supervise the child for two hours after eating to look for any symptoms of an allergy. Symptoms include runny nose; redness or swelling in the eyes, mouth, or face; and irritation in the throat area.
- Also, make sure the infant does not have a cold or illness when you introduce peanut products.
And here is more on how to determine if your child might be at high risk for a peanut allergy, per Healthline:
- Babies with severe eczema are more likely to develop a peanut allergy. Babies with severe eczema, egg allergy, or both should see a specialist to discuss testing and determine how to safely expose the child to peanut products.
- In children with severe eczema, egg allergy or both that has been diagnosed based on testing, parents should introduce peanut products under supervision at their doctor’s office, Sicherer noted. Once it is introduced to the infants at the highest risk, there is a recommendation to maintain peanut in the diet for about 6 to 7 grams per week given over three or more feedings per week.
Foods to avoid
Here is a list of foods that are unsafe for your baby to consume when just starting with solids:
- Honey
- Undercooked eggs
- Cow’s milk
- Lowfat products
- Sugary foods
- Salty foods
- Over-processed foods
Baby-Led Weaning Myths Debunked
For those who are not informed about baby-led weaning or have not done it themselves with their own children, there are many misconceptions and fears that come up. Below are common myths about baby-led weaning along with the truths, as discovered by the most recent research done on the topic.
- Baby needs teeth. Nope! Gums are for chewing too! As an article by What To Expect states it: “Your little one’s gums are quite capable of chewing soft foods.” Ensure safe softness and let your little one try it out!
- Avoid allergens. Nope! Introduce allergens early on. Here’s an excerpt on the topic from an article published by Parents: “Unless a child is at high-risk for developing a food allergy, we recommend eating what the family eats from day 1, but more isolated foods. (Being high risk for a food allergy can include a family history of food allergies or severe eczema, an egg allergy.)” *It’s also been found that delaying or avoiding babies’ exposure to the top allergens, such as peanut and fish, doesn’t help prevent allergies.”
- Wait 3-5 days before introducing a new food. Nope! There’s no scientific need to wait. In fact, you can start with 1-3 foods for baby’s first meal if you’d like! In the same article published by Parents: “The recommendation to start new foods every three to five days is based on tradition versus medical evidence.”
- There’s only one way to do baby-led weaning. Nope! There are many safe options, and you will adjust to your baby’s needs as you go. I’ve started 3 different babies on solids with BLW, and each have handled foods differently – from what they could grasp to whether they gagged a little or a lot. Not one size fits all – finding what works for your babe is the name of the game.
What you can expect
Now that we know the key nutritional facts to consider, what the steps to starting look like, which foods to avoid and common misconceptions about baby-led weaning, let’s talk about what you can expect so that you have a clear idea of what is developmentally appropriate and don’t feel discouraged or disappointed when these things happen…
- Gagging. They’ve only had milk go down their tiny throats so this is expected. It can be scary to see but it is part of the learning and because of their gag reflex at this age, they will be able to push the food out of their mouth. Know the difference between choking and gagging, and know what to do if your baby is choking. Consider taking an infant CPR class with American Red Cross or look up the most recent standards for infant CPR online. Modeling coughing is the most encouraged way of helping your child if they are gagging.
- Licking and chewing at, but not eating much, when you first serve them solids is very common. This can be expected for the first couple to first few weeks. Breastmilk and formula is still their main source of fulfillment and nutrition so do not stress about the amount they intake, unless your pediatrician tells you otherwise. Right now, they are just exploring and getting used to this new way of eating, the new textures and robust flavors of all these new foods.
- Allergies can happen. Consult your pediatrician with each reaction to ensure safety. And then choose if you want to reintroduce the food in a few days. Baby’s digestive system is still immature so reactions may change over time.
- They will have preferences. BLW is scientifically proven to make for less picky eaters in the long run. However, it is good to know that just like us adults, babies and toddlers will have preferences and dislikes and that is okay! Don’t stress, keep offering variety, and modeling eating and enjoy mealtimes together with your little human who is discovering the joy of food.
- Mess. One of the biggest disadvantages you will hear people talk about with baby-led weaning is the mess. Yes, it is messy but all of the benefits for you and your child hugely outweigh the burden of a few more minutes of clean up. See the list of supplies farther down in this post to get the tools that will help keep the mess more manageable. And remember, if you teach them basic table manners along the way, you won’t have food flying everywhere. You will more likely will be dealing with extra drips, smears and minor stains on expose clothing.
- Having to assist with adjusting cutlery and cups as needed. Because they are just learning how to grip, grab and control, know that you may have to readjust their spoon, pick up their fork for them or support the bottom of their cup until they get better.
Supplies you'll need to keep it low-stress
1. Highchair: OXO Tot, Abiie and Weesprout all have easily wipeable ones. There will be mess on the tray and in the seat at most every meal, so look for options with no liner so you have less work when cleaning.
2. Bib: Bapron and Bumkins have smock-like options. Baby Bjorn catches the most lap drippings which I find to be the most important thing. This way, you don’t have to change their pants after every meal. Better to roll up their sleeves or have some arm food staining, than to have a lap full of berries, water and mush.
3. Cutlery: Grabease has utensils that are wonderfully designed so that little tiny baby hands can grip and use them correctly on the first try. Incredible.
How to serve foods
You know so much now and you are ready to start serving foods! Eek! Your baby is growing up and this is such a magical milestone to watch. Below are picture examples of how you can safely serve whole solid foods to your baby.
- Always ensure that fresh fruit is very ripe/very soft so your baby can easily gum at or chew up and swallow safely.
- For all fruit, a good rule of thumb is to have everything be as soft as a banana.
- For cooked foods, use the same rule – as soft as a banana. Steam, sautee, roast, however you prefer to prepare it. Just steer clear of salt for now, as your baby’s kidneys can’t yet handle much.
You now have inspiration for the different sizes and textures you can try with your baby. Soon, you can begin pairing items together to make mini meals for your mini. To keep it as low-stress as possible for you, cook one meal for the family and just plan on cooking longer (until as soft as a banana) and seasoning less, for your baby.
Here are some examples of meals for a baby who is just starting baby-led weaning. (Tip: think simple, deconstructed meals.) Most moms start with one food then build up to two or 3 foods after a month of introducing single items. Do what makes you feel most comfortable. It will grow into more complex meals with time.
Soon, you can start playing around more with fun combinations for them like this:
As you go along, pair foods together, depending on your child’s eating abilities and your comfort level.
And just know that it usually ends up looking like this:
Normal and okay! But – on the same note – offering that spoon/fork with meals does matter because they will get practice in, and by their first birthday, most likely will be pros and so proud of it.
Feeling informed and ready?
You know so much now! I hope that I have eased your mind and helped to get you feeling more confident and prepared for baby-led weaning. The benefits are just incredible for both parents and baby. I can’t wait to see your BLW journey on Instagram! Follow @LowStressMotherhood and share your BLW story with hashtag #mybabyledweaning.
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Get your FREE instant download of The Low-Stress Baby-Led Weaning Checklist and Cheat Sheet. We never spam.
Everything you need to know to feel prepared for baby-led weaning.
Want complete support with starting Baby-Led Weaning? Consider the complete Low-Stress BLW Starter Kit that Includes...
- The Low-Stress Baby-Led Weaning eBook
- What To Expect
- How To Serve Foods
- Foods To Avoid
- Introducing Allergens
- Starter Food Ideas
- Foods That Aid In Constipation
- Supply List
- Common Myths
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Everything You Need To Know Before Starting Solids With Baby-Led Weaning
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