Baby-Led Weaning: Why It Made Feeding Easier for Me

When I first started having kids, I’d never heard of baby-led weaning. After my daughter was born, I assumed I would eventually give her purées when starting her on solid food. However, I wasn’t keen on store-bought purées.

For one thing, I had terrible college experiences (hey, sorority games!) trying those purées, and the thought of it made me gag. I also wanted to choose the ingredients myself, so I decided I would make her purées.

Long story short, I survived one week making homemade purées. ONE WEEK. I discovered the hard way that I didn’t have the time, patience, or energy to make my kid homemade baby food every few days. Admitting to myself that I was a lazy mom (i.e., tired mom), I was determined to find a better way. I started researching other methods of introducing solids, and (praise the heavens!) I stumbled onto baby-led weaning.

What Is Baby-Led Weaning?

Baby-led weaning (BLW) introduces solid foods through self-feeding, with babies picking up appropriately prepared finger foods rather than being spoon-fed purées.⁵

Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett explain the approach in their book, Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide to Introducing Solid Foods. You can also combine finger foods with spoon-feeding; you do not have to choose just one approach.⁵

Why Baby-Led Weaning Worked for Me

For me, BLW was just plain easier! It was an answer to my exhausted-parent prayers at mealtime. Purées, if made at home, can be time-consuming. And moms who do purées often spend a lot of time feeding their babies before themselves. With BLW, babies can join family meals and eat suitable versions of family foods, with the texture and preparation adjusted for them.^5,6

BLW also gives babies practice picking up food and bringing it to their mouths, while introducing different tastes and textures.⁵ Researchers have studied possible benefits for food preferences and eating behavior, but BLW does not guarantee healthier eating habits later on.^1,2

Related: Baby Led Weaning: Advantages and Disadvantages

How Do I Know When My Baby Is Ready?

Most babies are ready to start solid foods around 6 months, when they also show developmental signs of readiness. Age alone is not enough.³ For self-feeding, look for these abilities:^3,5

• Staying upright in a seated position with steady head and neck control.
• Reaching for food and bringing it to their mouth.
• Swallowing food rather than consistently pushing it back out.

I waited until my babies reached for food before I started BLW (around 8 months old). In both cases, I was sitting on the couch with my kiddo, eating a banana, when they suddenly grabbed it. Before I knew it, they were chomping on the banana like a crazed baby monkey. We started BLW that night!

That was our experience, but reaching for food alone is not a readiness test. Most babies should begin solids around 6 months when developmentally ready. If your baby is not showing readiness then, ask your pediatrician for guidance.³

I also continued to nurse both of my babies throughout the BLW process. Continue offering breast milk or infant formula as you introduce solids. These remain your baby’s main drink throughout the first year, while solid foods gradually contribute more nutrients.⁷

Related: How to Introduce Solids to Your Baby

What About Choking?

Many moms worry about choking with baby-led weaning, and it is an understandable concern. One randomized study found no significant difference in choking between traditional feeding and a modified BLW approach that included advice on reducing choking risk.⁴ That does not mean choking cannot happen.

For every meal:⁶

• Seat your baby upright in a high chair or another suitable feeding seat.
• Stay with them and watch closely throughout the meal.
• Prepare food in a texture, shape, and size suited to their development.
• Avoid hazards such as whole nuts, popcorn, whole grapes, raw carrot pieces, sausage rounds, and spoonfuls of thick nut butter.

Gagging vs. Choking

Gagging is a protective reflex that can happen as babies learn to manage food. It may involve retching, watery eyes, or pushing the tongue forward.⁸ Choking can prevent a baby from breathing and requires immediate action. If your baby cannot breathe, cry, or cough effectively, call 911 and begin infant choking first aid.⁹

Before starting solids, learn infant choking first aid and CPR. The American Red Cross provides instructions and training for parents and caregivers.⁹

Related: How To Properly Perform Infant CPR

Foods To Offer When Starting Baby-Led Weaning

Start with foods that are soft enough to mash easily with a fork. For early finger feeding, offer pieces your baby can grasp with some food extending beyond their fist. Remove bones, pits, and hard skins.^3,5

• Ripe avocado wedges.
• Soft banana spears.
• Broccoli florets cooked until very soft.
• Soft-cooked carrot, sweet potato, zucchini, or pumpkin sticks.
• Ripe, soft peach slices with the pit and any tough skin removed.
• Well-cooked pasta in a shape your baby can grasp.^5,7

Include iron-rich foods too, such as appropriately prepared meat, beans, lentils, or iron-fortified infant cereal. Mashed foods can be offered on a spoon alongside finger foods.^5,7

Introduce common allergens, such as egg and peanut, in suitable forms alongside other solids. If your baby has severe eczema or an egg allergy, ask your pediatrician about introducing peanut.³

Related: Baby-Led Weaning Foods: Recipes and Helpful Tips

What Do I Need for Baby-Led Weaning?

BLW can get messy! I found that feeding my baby in just a diaper made cleanup easier. A few mealtime items can help contain the mess:

• a high chair that is easy to clean
• portable placemats for eating out
• an apron-style bib for catching dropped food
• a washable floor mat
• baby utensils

I used BLW with both of my kiddos, and we had a wonderful experience. After my short-lived attempt at homemade purées, it was a much better fit for our family. You can choose finger foods, spoon-feeding, or a combination, depending on what works for your baby.⁵