Baby-Led Weaning
Baby Led Weaning (BLW) is a newer approach to introducing infants to solid food. At about 6 months of age, your infant is ready to start their journey through BLW. It’s important to pay close attention to any potential signs of food allergies while introducing new foods. Please consult with your pediatrician before beginning BLW!
BLW is a flexible approach to teaching your baby about independence, sensory benefits, textures and flavors.
Mealtime is also the best way to connect with family, and it’s a huge help if you’re able to use ingredients you plan on using for your own dinner for baby led weaning.
There are certain foods that are better served mashed, so you will be spoon feeding as well as giving your baby independence to feel and taste new types of food. Don’t be afraid to hand your baby a spoon!
Part of BLW is getting a little messy while learning to be independent. Many families choose to start with a puree, while some choose to completely skip the puree and dive right into solid foods!
Some do a “combo” approach to start, meaning both purees and solids, which seems to be the most favored method. However, at about 10 months old, you’ll notice your baby won’t be as interested in purees. This is the goal!
Fruits,
vegetables,
meats,
eggs (well-cooked),
cheese,
pasta,
bread/toast/pancakes,
are all great items to start with!
When serving these solid foods to your infant, it's best to cut everything into “stick shape” if you can. This gives your baby the ability to easily grip their food as they explore new textures and flavors.
Meal time is also a good time to start introducing water. Be sure to speak to the pediatrician before giving your water to your baby - H2O isn’t something that should be introduced without consent from a medical professional.
Now let’s talk about seasoning!
Salt is a big no-no until after 12 months of age. Sodium is extremely dangerous for infants. If making something the whole family will eat, be sure to salt your own food separately from the baby’s.
Basil is a great addition to any BLW puree, cooked veggie, soup or stew. It’s also great for healthy bone growth and immune support.
Cinnamon is full of antioxidants and lets be honest, it’s the perfect addition to spice up any sweet breakfast!
Cloves are an excellent addition to yummy baked goods like pumpkin and banana bread and are an excellent anti-inflammatory.
Rosemary, oregano, thyme and dill weed are also great additions to BLW recipes.
Start with just a pinch of herbs and spices and increase the quantity gradually! This is a great way to expand their pallet!
Fact is, your baby may deny the foods you are putting on their tray. There will be times when most of it… ends up on the floor. Keep in mind that it can take up to 8 times before your baby is interested in some foods. When this happens, experiment with different food combinations and textures to mix things up! The idea is to keep trying to expand their palette!
