What is Baby Led Weaning?
Baby led weaning (BLW) is the gradual process of teaching your baby how to self-feed with solid foods rather than “mush” foods. We at Talk about Therapy encourage parents to begin BLW with their children at around 6 months of age.
How can you start Baby Led Weaning?
We encourage feeding your child foods that are around the size of their fist. Additionally, it is a great idea to prepare foods at home – this saves money and prevents your baby from eating store bought purees with added sugars. ***Remember to introduce new food groups gradually to see if your child has any allergic reactions***
Some great foods to start with are:
- Bananas
- Sweet potatoes
- Avocados
- Oatmeal
- Mashed peas
- Steamed broccoli
- Lentils
- Rice
- Beans
Once you prepare your baby’s meal, place the food in front of them and allow them to handle the food with their hands. Make sure your baby is sitting up straight while eating in order to prevent choking.
What are the benefits of Baby Led Weaning?
Baby led weaning shows a series of benefits:
- Reduces picky eating behaviors
- Protects against excess weight gain
- Allows parents to feed their baby healthy foods early on
- Development of oral muscles
- Finer grasping skills
- Increased hand eye coordination
- Fun play time activity
- Increased independence
