Is Your Baby Ready for Baby-Led Weaning?
Starting solids is a huge milestone in your baby’s journey, and baby-led weaning (BLW) is an exciting way to introduce food while promoting independence and confidence. Instead of spoon-feeding purees, BLW allows babies to explore real food with their hands, developing fine motor skills and a healthy relationship with eating.
But how do you know when to start? And what foods should you offer first? This guide will walk you through when and how to start baby-led weaning and offer simple, practical tips to help your baby thrive at the table.
1. When to Start Baby-Led Weaning?
Timing is key when introducing solids. While every baby develops at their own pace, most experts recommend starting baby-led weaning around 6 months.
Signs Your Baby is Ready for BLW:
✅ Sits up unassisted and has good head control
✅ Shows interest in food, reaching for what you eat
✅ Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex (doesn’t automatically push food out)
✅ Can grasp objects and bring them to their mouth
💡 Tip: If your baby was born premature, check with your pediatrician before starting solids to ensure they’re developmentally ready.
2. How to Start Baby-Led Weaning: Step-by-Step Guide
Starting baby-led weaning is simple! Here’s how to introduce solids while keeping mealtime safe and enjoyable.
Step 1: Set Up a Safe Mealtime Environment
✔ Use a supportive highchair with a footrest to encourage good posture.
✔ Ensure baby is sitting upright to minimize choking risks.
✔ Skip distractions (like TV or tablets) so baby can focus on eating.
Step 2: Offer Soft, Grabbable First Foods
Start with soft, easy-to-hold foods that your baby can mash with their gums. Ideal first foods include:
🥑 Avocado slices
🍌 Banana spears
🥕 Steamed carrot sticks
🥔 Cooked sweet potato wedges
🍞 Soft toast strips
Cut foods into finger-length pieces so babies can easily grasp and gnaw on them.
3. Safety Tips for Baby-Led Weaning
Safety is every parent’s top priority when starting solids. Follow these tips to keep mealtime safe:
Avoid Common Choking Hazards:
🚫 Whole grapes (cut into quarters)
🚫 Hot dogs (cut lengthwise and then into smaller pieces)
🚫 Raw apples and carrots (serve cooked or grated)
🚫 Hard nuts, popcorn, or marshmallows
Supervise at All Times:
Never leave your baby unattended while eating. Always sit with them and watch for signs of choking (like silent struggling or difficulty breathing).
💡 Gagging vs. Choking: Gagging is normal and helps babies learn to chew and swallow. Choking is silent and requires immediate intervention.
4. Encouraging Self-Feeding: What to Expect
Baby-led weaning can be messy, but that’s part of the learning process!
What to Expect in the First Few Weeks:
✅ Lots of exploring (food gets smushed, dropped, and played with)
✅ Small tastes at first (most nutrition still comes from breast milk/formula)
✅ Messy faces and trays—embrace the chaos!
How to Make Self-Feeding Easier:
✔ Offer a baby-friendly spoon like the Little Grubbers 3-in-1 Baby Spoon™, designed for tiny hands.
✔ Let your baby touch and explore different textures without pressure.
✔ Model eating by sharing meals together—they love copying you!
5. Managing the Mess (Without Losing Your Mind!)
BLW can feel like a food explosion at every meal. Here’s how to keep things manageable:
🧼 Use a splat mat under the highchair to catch food drops.
👕 Dress baby in a full-coverage bib (or let them eat in just a diaper!).
🍽️ Serve food on a suction plate to prevent flipping.
🧽 Wipe down surfaces after meals to avoid food buildup.
💡 Remember: Messy eating is a sign of learning! Embrace it as part of the process.
Baby-Led Weaning is a Journey
Starting baby-led weaning is an exciting adventure filled with discovery, mess, and joy. By offering soft, safe foods, encouraging self-feeding, and embracing the learning process, you’ll help your baby develop a lifelong love for food.
🌟 The key? Trust the process and enjoy mealtimes together!
Ready to Start? Try the Little Grubbers 3-in-1 Baby Spoon!
Looking for a spoon that’s perfect for self-feeding beginners? The Little Grubbers 3-in-1 Baby Spoon™ is designed to help your baby:
✅ Grip and scoop food easily
✅ Safely explore different textures
✅ Transition from purees to solids effortlessly
💡 Click here to shop now and start your BLW journey!