Baby led weaning (also known as BLW) is a baby feeding method where you skip the spoon-feeding puree phase. Instead you let your baby feed himself straight away on soft solid food, such as steamed vegetables, bread and pasta.
In baby led weaning there's no spoon feeding or purees involved. Your baby is encouraged to join in eating with you at family mealtimes. The idea is to offer your baby food rather than give it to her. At first your baby eats with her hands, moving on to cutlery later.
Because there's a worry about the risk of young babies choking on solid food, baby led weaning is often tried out by second or third time mums who feel more confident about weaning with their second or third baby. In some cases, it occurs naturally with babies following the lead of their bigger brothers and sisters at the kitchen table.
When do you start baby led weaning (BLW)?
Despite new research suggesting that babies can safely begin weaning from four months, don't start baby led weaning until your baby is six months old. Your little one needs to be able to sit upright, be able to feed herself with her hands and be able to learn to chew and push food around her mouth. Look out for signs that your baby is ready to start weaning.
What are the advantages of baby led weaning (BLW)?
Mums who believe in baby led weaning are often very passionate about it. They believe that BLW helps with your baby's development by:
"When Jeannie was six months I gave her a roasted carrot stick to play with while we ate. The next day it was evident that she’d eaten some of it because it was in her nappy," says Moira, mum to Jeannie, now 10 months.
"By around 9 months she was eating whatever we were having and enjoying three meals a day. We all sit together for meals, and I’ve never had to worry about packing bowls and spoons when we go out because I can just grab a sandwich."
But won't my baby choke?
If you're trying baby led weaning, you need to be vigilant and carefully follow some basic rules. By taking care, BLW shouldn't increase the risk of choking, but you do have to watch your baby closely.
- Make sure your baby is able to sit steadily, and sits upright when she's eating. Ensure she can use her hands and arms freely
- Cut fruit into little pieces, even small fruit such as grapes. Grapes are often a favourite food of babies, but are known to be a choking risk if not chopped up
- Never give your baby whole nuts
- Remove any stones or cores from fruit and veg
- Explain how baby-led weaning works to anyone caring for your baby
- Don't let anyone except your baby put food into her mouth
- Don't try to persuade her to eat more than she wants
- NEVER leave your baby alone with food
Find out more about fruit safety for baby led weaning.
Baby led weaning can be controversial due to concern about choking and that it may lead initially to a limited diet. Health visitor Maggie Fisher thinks it depends on the baby. “If your baby can cope, it’s probably fine. Be guided by your baby. If you start with finger foods and progress on to soft lumps and your baby is okay, then carry on.”
To counter any worries about baby led weaning offering a more limited diet, make sure your baby’s meals offer a wide variety of food including:
- Steamed vegetables, such as carrot sticks and broccoli florets
- Fruit
- Pasta
- Toast
- Chopped meats
- Dairy products
Find out more foods that are safe for your baby to eat if you are trying baby led weaning. Many of the same safety rules are the same for baby led weaning and regular weaning. Find out more about when to introduce foods to your baby that carry a risk of allergy or intolerance.
If your doing baby led weaning you won't need to buy many of the essentail weaning gear other mums need. But there are still cute weaning accessories and handy times savers that are perfect for baby led weaning.
