Curious About Baby-Led Weaning?

What is baby-led weaning (BLW), how does it work and is it right for you and your baby? Discover the most important facts about BLW.

What is the Concept of Baby-led Weaning?

Baby-led weaning (also called BLW) is a way of introducing solids to babies by letting them feed themselves, without using utensils.

BLW lets babies pick up, explore and eat food on their own, using all their senses. It can be messy at first, but over time babies develop chewing skills, fine motor abilities and a sense of control over their eating pace and quantity.

How Does Baby-led Weaning Work?

Instead of being spoon-fed, babies eat the same food as the rest of the family, often with slight modifications. The baby will use their hands to pick up the food and bring it to their mouth.

To manage the mess, you can place food directly on the highchair tray, offer small amounts at a time and use a mat under their chair. Remember to always supervise closely to ensure safety and avoid choking hazards.

Is it Right for You and Your Baby?

BLW has gained popularity since the 2000’s and while there are many benefits, such as promoting self-awareness of fullness, there is limited high-quality research. This makes it difficult to conclusively determine the benefits and risks associated with the BLW approach.

Every baby is unique and what works for one might not work for another. The key in baby-led weaning is to let the baby explore at their own pace. Some parents worry their children might not get enough food, so they combine BLW with spoon-feeding.

Whether you choose baby-led weaning, traditional spoon-feeding or combining elements of BLW with traditional weaning, the most important thing is that your baby is happy, healthy and enjoying mealtime.