How to do baby-led weaning
Find out all about this more relaxed, baby-led approach to weaning your baby with minimum stress
Published 19 February 2009
What is baby-led weaning?
- From six months old, your baby can join in with most balanced, healthy family meals and feed herself with her fingers.
- Babies should only have breast or formula milk before six months as their tummies are not ready for solid food yet.
- Babies can play with their food and eat as much or as little as they like — it’s more about them learning the taste and texture of foods. There’s no spoon-feeding or purées involved.
- Don’t worry, she will get enough nutrition as long as you still offer her usual milk feeds.
Advantages
- Babies love it! And it helps to develop their coordination skills.
- It’s easier and cheaper — no separate meals to cook, no time spent spoon-feeding.
- Mealtime battles and picky eating are less likely.
Foods to offer
- Most healthy foods are suitable (unless your family has allergies).
- Thick sticks of food such as lightly cooked carrot or apple are easiest for babies to hold at first.
- Fruit, steamed or roasted vegetables, and strips of meat (that your baby can suck on, rather than actually eat) are good first foods.
- Aim for variety so your baby learns different tastes.
Foods to avoid
- Don’t offer foods high in salt and sugar.
- ‘Fast foods’ and ready meals aren’t suitable.
- Read labels carefully — many foods, especially convenience foods like baked beans, pies and gravy, contain lots of salt.
- Honey, whole nuts and fruits with stones, such as olives or cherries, shouldn’t be given.
Weaning tips
- Choose to eat when your baby’s not sleepy or too hungry (this may sound surprising but there is less pressure for her to eat then).
- Don’t expect your baby to eat much for the first few months — she’ll mostly just play with the food.
- Your baby should always sit upright to eat, not leaning back in a bouncy chair.
- Never put solid food in your baby’s mouth for her — she won’t choke if she feeds herself but will probably drop food out of her mouth to start with.
- Offer water with meals.
- Expect some mess!
Find out more!
- Baby-led Weaning
www.baby-led.com
- Baby-led Weaning, Helping Your Baby To Love Good Food by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett (£10.99, Vermilion)
- Now read our features Your baby's first foods, Finger foods for your baby and Foods for older babies
Words: Tracey Murkett. Picture: Jupiter
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