Baby Led Weaning- What and Why?

What is Baby Led Weaning(BLW)?

There are two different methods of feeding or introducing solids to a child. Traditional weaning and Baby led Weaning.

The Traditional method usually begins with mashed, blended or puréed food aiming to introduce table food at the age of 1 or beyond whereas Baby Led weaning believes in deconstructing the food the rest of the family is having and offer it to the baby just cut up in appropriate size.

In our group our preferred method of feeding is BLW as a policy so this is what we discuss. Traditional weaning where is a personal choice for many, we do not support nor do we encourage discussing it because it confuses not just the babies but also their mamas.

Here’s why

Why can’t we feed purée or do a bit of both? Like a combination method of Traditional and BLW?

Combining Traditional weaning or spoon feeding and Baby led weaning as a method is potentially UNSAFE.

At the very least it proves extremely confusing to the baby since traditional weaning and purées teach baby to just swallow without chewing and continue doing that like milk. While BLW actually introduces them to chewing and then swallowing.

Purée also ignores the gag reflex (the vomit like actions with sounds which is a reflex that prevents a baby from choking) whereas BLW teaches them to exercise, use and establish a strong gag reflex which is an incredibly important reflex int heir journey to a solid food menu. It also helps them figure out what size of food will be optimal for their mouth and chewing.

While we speak of these please bear in mind. That food that exist in purée form originally are perfectly fine to offer the baby. Like yogurt, mashed potatoes, cereals etc.

It’s just that they shouldn’t be spoon fed and handed over to the baby to feed themselves.

Scary thought? Especially for your new carpet?

Thought so.

So here’s the deal.

The general rule of thumb for BLW is that if it is fit for an adult to eat, then it is fit to be offered to the child. Baby food and separate food items for babies is not something we do in BLW (that means less cooking for you mama!!)

What is advisable though is that if you eat extremely high level of spice at home then perhaps take some normal meal food out and cook separately befor you add chillies or chilli powder.

Even though my child would totally dig into Biryani, drinking water all the while but not stopping for a second. (Yes that’s the glory of Baby led Weaning).

Signs of BLW Readiness (when should we begin it)

  1. Once then child is 6 months old. AAP and WHO advise nothing except milk before the child is 6 months old. Do not count in weeks. Count in months starting from the date of birth.

Premature babies will be using adjusted age.

  1. The child can sit unsupported for more than one minute. No support from hand, backrest or any toy. Independent sitting has been achieved.

  2. Tongue thrust reflex has ended.

Place a finger on the baby’s lower lip, if the baby thrusts her tongue out, she isn’t ready for solids yet. This reflex goes away anywhere between 4-6 months of age but refer to bullet point number one. No solids before 6 months anyway.

  1. Developing the Pincer Grasp

This is the ability to pick something up using the index finger and the thumb. For BLW the baby doesn’t have to master this but shoudl start trying to pick things up. They will usually be raking or filling up their fists with food at the beginning, scooping with their hand liek a small cup etc.

That’s all perfectly fine and acceptable. As long as they are interested din lifting food.

  1. If all of the previous steps are being met, the last sign is baby showing interest in food by making chewing motions or smacking lips making a clicking sound.

Now babies start attacking our food much earlier. However this is where we need to remember that turning six months of age is the FIRST criteria for solids. Then comes behavioural and other physiological milestones.

Some people are under the impression that babies need teeth to chew.

News flash

Babies don’t develop the chewing teeth up until 2-3 years of age.

Gums are perfectly capable of chewing food.

Once your baby has met all signs of readiness we are ready to rock and rumble!

This is a series of three posts, this one being the first. The second and third can be found at their respective links here.