Are you wondering how to introduce solid foods to your little one? Baby led weaning (or BLW) might be just what you are looking for. This increasingly popular feeding approach allows your baby to take control of their eating journey, making mealtimes more enjoyable and developmental. Let's explore everything you need to know about baby-led weaning.

What is baby-led weaning?

Baby-led weaning is a method of introducing solid foods that skips traditional spoon-feeding of purées and instead allows babies to feed themselves (also known as self-feeding) finger foods from the start. This approach typically begins around six months of age, when most babies can sit upright and show interest in food.

Benefits of baby-led weaning

1. Develops motor skills: Your baby will enhance their hand-eye coordination and grip strength as they learn to handle different foods. These skills are particularly important for their overall development.
2. Promotes healthy eating habits: When babies control their food intake, they learn to recognise hunger and fullness cues naturally. This self-regulation can help prevent overeating later in life.
3. Encourages family bonding: Your baby can join family mealtimes, making dining a social experience. This is especially meaningful in Indian culture, where family meals are central to daily life.
4. Reduces fussy eating: Exposure to various textures, tastes, and colours early on can make your baby more accepting of different foods as they grow.
5. Cost-effective: You can modify your regular family meals for your baby, eliminating the need for special baby foods.

When is your baby ready for BLW?

You can encourage baby-led weaning or baby-led feeding once your baby reaches 6 months. By this age, their digestive and immune systems should be well-developed. Also, watch for these signs in your little one:

• Can sit upright with minimal support
• Has good head and neck control
• Reaches for toys and other objects and tries to bring them to mouth
• Shows interest in what you are eating
• Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex

As your child grows, you can gradually introduce more solid meals alongside their regular breastmilk or formula feedings. Here’s an example of what that timeline might look like:

Age	No. of meals
6 months	1 solid meal per day
7 - 9 months	2 solid meals per day
10 - 11 months	3 solid meals per day
12+ months	3 solid meals, 2 snacks per day

Best first foods for baby-led weaning

The ideal baby-led weaning foods share several key characteristics. Choose foods that are:

• Nutritious: Focus on whole foods rather than processed options.
• Finger-friendly: Select foods that can be easily grasped, even if they are a bit messy.
• Soft and manageable: Avoid foods that are too hard, chewy, or sticky.
• Served at room temperature: This makes them more appealing and easier for your baby to eat.

Here are some suggestions for foods to try and those to avoid when you first start practising baby-led weaning:

Category	Foods to try	Foods to avoid
Fruits	Cut round fruits (such as grapes) Fruits that are cut into small bites (Such as Bananas, pears, avocados, kiwi, mango, etc.)	Round fruits that are not cut (such as round grapes, blueberries, etc.)
Vegetables	Peeled and cooked vegetables (such as sweet potatoes, boiled potatoes, steamed carrots, etc.)	Hard or textured raw vegetables, (such as raw carrots, uncooked potatoes, celery, etc.)
Proteins	Ground, soft and shredded meats and fish Other foods such as yogurt, scrambled eggs, cheese, etc.	Tough or chewy proteins, such as steak.  Foods that are high in mercury such as fish.
Drinks	Breastmilk, formula, and water.	Other milks (such as cow milk, buffalo milk, goat milk, etc.) and fruit juices.

Here are a few Indian kitchen-friendly options that you can give to your baby:

• Soft-cooked chapati strips
• Steamed idli pieces
• Soft-cooked rice
• Boiled potato wedges
• Soft-cooked dal vadas
• Steamed carrot sticks
• Ripe banana spears
• Soft-cooked sweet potato fingers

Foods to avoid during baby-led weaning

Sometimes, babies may want to explore different foods, but it is important to avoid those that pose choking hazards, such as:

• Raw, hard vegetables that are tough to chew
• Cubed or round foods like grapes or coin-shaped slices of hotdogs
• Crunchy, hard foods with rough textures like chips or popcorn

Tips to get started with BLW

1. Start slow: Eating is a skill that develops gradually, much like walking or dancing. Allow your baby to progress at their own pace, starting with one meal a day—ideally when they are neither too hungry nor tired.
2. Choose age-appropriate food: Baby-led weaning doesn’t encourage using baby food. However, you need to ensure the food you offer is soft and easily mashable between two fingers. 

Offer a variety of foods: Offering a variety of foods during baby-led weaning helps expose your baby to different tastes, textures, and nutrients, supporting their overall development and encouraging a balanced diet from an early age. Variety not only adds interest but also allows your baby to explore and become familiar with healthy foods, building a foundation for diverse and healthy eating habits as they grow.

Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding as usual: Breastmilk and/or formula are the primary source of nutrition until your baby turns one. So, avoid reducing these feedings when introducing solids. As babies start eating more solid foods, they will naturally decrease their milk or formula intake on their own.

Stay relaxed and patient: Baby-led weaning is a process guided by your baby. As they learn this skill and begin to enjoy food, it is important to be patient. Avoid pressuring yourself or worrying that your baby may not be eating enough.

Safety tips for successful BLW

1. Never leave your baby unattended: Always supervise your baby during mealtimes to ensure safe eating.
2. Check food temperature: Test food temperature thoroughly to prevent burns, especially with Indian dishes that are typically served warm.
3. Avoid high-risk foods: Skip honey, salt, sugar, small nuts, and raw vegetables in the beginning. Also, ensure that traditional Indian spices are introduced gradually and in minimal amounts.
4. Create safe food shapes: Cut foods into finger-sized pieces that your baby can grip easily. The pieces should be long enough for them to hold with some sticking out of their fist.

Common concerns addressed

What about choking?

While choking is a common concern, research shows that baby-led weaning doesn't increase choking risk compared to traditional weaning when done correctly. Your baby's natural gag reflex helps protect them.

Will my baby get enough iron? 

Include iron-rich foods like soft-cooked lentils, spinach, and fortified cereals in your baby's diet. Combine these with vitamin C-rich foods to enhance iron absorption.

How to handle the mess created while BLW?

It will be messy when you encourage baby-led weaning. However, here are a few points that you can consider:

• Placing a splash mat under the highchair
• Using full-sleeve bibs
• Having cleaning supplies readily available
• Embracing the mess as part of the learning process

How do I know when the baby has had enough?

Babies have their own ways of signalling when they are finished eating—it's all about observing their cues. When a baby is done with a meal, they often lose interest in the food, sometimes playing with it instead of eating. They might look away, push food around, or even drop it on the floor.

Remember, every baby is different, and what works for one might not work for another. Trust your instincts and consult your paediatrician before starting baby-led weaning, especially if you have specific concerns about your baby's development or health conditions.

Starting baby-led weaning is an exciting milestone in your parenting journey. With proper preparation and understanding, you can help your little one develop a healthy relationship with food while maintaining your cultural food traditions. Keep mealtimes relaxed, fun, and safe, and watch as your baby explores the wonderful world of food at their own pace.