EVERYTHING You Need To Know Before Starting Solids With Baby Led Weaning

A nervous beginner’s guide to baby led weaning

Baby led weaning (blw) has gained more mainstream popularity after the term was coined by Gill Rapley who wrote the book: Baby Led Weaning The Essential Guide – How To Introduce Solid Foods And Help Your Baby Grow Up A Happy Confident Eater. 

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 puree feeding does not. 

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Nonetheless, the idea of going straight to table foods can terrify many parents who have only ever heard that starting solids is done so with pureed food. 

Baby led weaning is arguably a more natural way for your baby to experience solid foods – the flavors, textures and variety of shapes, all together, while also freely engaging with them as they’re inherently compelled to.

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 (which I’ve seen first-hand here at my daycare & preschool, after having started 3 babies including my twins with this method of feeding. All but 4 toddlers that I’ve worked with have been picky eaters ~about 80%~ and all of the non-picky eaters started solids with baby led weaning). Those numbers are noteworthy.

Parents, caregivers and close family members of picky eaters know how much strain and stress picky eating can bring. This alone, is a huge reason moms want to try this method of starting solids.

Baby led weaning is also often hailed as being far easier for families because parents are able to make and serve one single meal for the whole family, where everyone feeds themselves. Creating a more chill and enjoyable daily experience for all. 

And reassuringly, recent research has found that baby led weaning does not pose a greater choking risk than pureed foods, if done safely.

So where to start with it all? And how to do it safely? I was a nervous first-time mom with these important questions myself, and this article is one I would’ve loved to read. I hope you too, find it helpful, without having to buy a book (unless you want to!)

I have gathered the facts you need to know about things like – what to expect, how to serve foods, feeding schedules, foods to avoid and more, plus some really helpful tips so that you can start solids with confidence and experience less stress through the process. (gagging, allergens, ah! I dive into all of those worries below)

First, we’ll talk about the 6 steps to getting started with baby led weaning. 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 6 steps to getting started with blw

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. 

Step 4: Select a bib that they can grow into. Specifically one that they cannot rip off when they are a few months older, but make sure that it also does not restrict their natural movements. 

Step 5: Choose the food you will serve and prepare it to a safe size and softness.

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.

blw Nutrition needs to know about

A calming and reassuring thing to know about nutrition when starting solids, is that your baby’s nutritional needs will still be met mainly by their milk, whether it be formula or breastmilk. So, they truly have room and time to get acquainted with solid foods, new textures and how to chew, swallow and handle them. Unless otherwise recommended by your pediatrician, there is no need to stress about a certain amount of solids being consumed when just starting solids. 

With that said, it’s important to know that, 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 with baby led weaning

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.

—> Get my complete Low Stress BLW Starter Guide, here.

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. 

Your baby’s windpipe is about the size of a drinking straw in diameter, so avoiding foods that could block or get lodged, is crucial. You can see a list of choking hazards here.

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 with baby led weaning

Here is a list of foods that are unsafe for your baby to consume when just starting with solids because of their immature digestive systems:

• Honey
• Undercooked eggs
• Cow’s milk
• Lowfat products (full fat is best for growing baby)
• Sugary foods
• Salty foods
• Over-processed foods
• Choking hazards

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.”
3. 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.”
4. 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.
5. You can’t do purees AND baby led weaning at the same time. False! A puree can be one of the many textures your baby safely explores. According to pediatric feeding specialist Abbie Gacke, the best way to do both purees and baby led weaning, is to allow baby to get used to one texture before introducing another. So, whether it’s a pureed food or a table food, you want to let your baby familiarize with that texture first, before serving the two textures together. As they practice the skills of chewing and get used to swallowing solids more, then you can begin to serve various textures together.
6. There is a higher risk of choking with baby led weaning. Not true! According to a study published on CNN, baby led weaning does not pose a greater choking risk to babies when foods are prepared properly and baby is of development/age readiness.

What you can expect when starting blw

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 for low stress blw

I wrote another, more extensive blog post, that goes deeper into product comparisons of helpful highly-rated baby led weaning supplies that you can see here – Top Rated Baby Led Weaning Supplies That Other Moms Swear By. For now, below is an ‘essentials’ list of what you will want to have asap:

1. Easy To Wipe Down Highchair: OXO Tot, Abiie and HM-Tech 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 That Catches Liquids & Dropped Foods: Bumkins has 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. Utensils That Can Actually Be Used Properly: Grabease has utensils that are wonderfully designed so that little tiny baby hands can grip and use them correctly on the first try. Incredible. 

3. Open Cup For Practice: eZpZ has a soft silicone cup designed for baby hands. It has a weighted bottom to minimize tipping and has an inner curve that helps to slow the water flow for baby. eZtotZ has an open cup with ridges on the outside that help with grip. It is made of BPA-free plastic instead of silicone and also has an anti-tip design. 

*Tip: Also have some cups with covers/straws/spouts, so that you can alternate between the two – open and covered. This way you can use an open cup for practice, where you assist baby with lifting/holding/drinking. Then, you have a covered cup available for when you don’t want to have to help baby, and just want to sit, eat, enjoy and relax.

baby led weaning Foods To Start With

 

How Often To Feed with baby led weaning

How to serve foods for baby led weaning

You know so much about baby led weaning 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.

Some important tips to note first:

• 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.

• How often to serve a new food: the most recent recommendation is one food per day OR per every few days, depending on your comfort level and baby’s abilities.

• Keep salt and sodium-dense products to a minimum, as your baby’s kidneys are quite developed enough to process it properly. The same goes for spicy seasonings – avoid those until baby is more accustom to flavors, and you can decipher what they are able to tolerate.

You now have inspiration for the different sizes and textures you can try with your baby. And once you start serving foods and watching your baby eat, you will see what sizes and styles work best for them.

Soon, you can begin pairing items together to make mini meals for your mini human. 

To keep it as low-stress as possible for you, cook one meal for the family and just plan on cooking some a little longer (softer) 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.)

Soon, when your baby is 9-10 months, 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 with their utensils, and so proud of it! 

Feeling informed and ready to start blw?

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 truly are just incredible, for both parents and baby. 

If you want all of the information you read in this post in a downloadable form that you can share with your partner, MIL, Mom, nanny, etc. Click here to get the FREE Low-Stress Baby Led Weaning Cheat Sheet download. Or, input your name and email here.

*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only based off of personal research, and personal and professional experience. None of what is written here should be replaced for medical advice. Always check with your pediatrician for medical advice specific to your baby’s needs.

helpful blw books with more examples & recipes