Baby-Led Weaning

Babies transition and learn new skills every day. They reach important milestones, such as smiling, crawling, sitting without support, etc., by age 1. In between all these skills, they also learn how to feed themselves. Baby-led weaning is a popular way of introducing babies to their first foods.

What Is Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)?

Weaning means babies start eating solid food from exclusive breast food. Blw means babies usually learn to feed themselves. Babies transition from liquids to purees to mashed solid foods. Under usual circumstances, babies are fed with a spoon. In baby-led weaning, the baby learns to pick food by themself and eat on their own without the parent having to feed them.

When Should Baby- Led- Weaning Be Started?

It is best to wait until the baby is ready. The baby should have good neck strength and be able to sit on a highchair unassisted. They should be able to move the food up-down in their jaws. Studies show that most babies above 6 months can self-feed. They may not be able to perform complex chewing processes but can comfortably eat soft, cooked food. The pincer and palmer grasp can bring the thumb and index together and pick up the food in hand. This ability develops around 9 months of age. It is best to start baby-led weaning around 6–9 months.

Benefits Of Baby Lead Weaning

• It saves time and money as baby food can be expensive. It also saves mothers from having to prepare separate meals.
• Babies learn to interact socially and begin understanding the concept of family and bonding.
• They are exposed to a wider variety of foods as packed and pureed food are only available in soft textures and the same flavours. Homemade foods have different textures and flavours.
• Promotes good behaviour.
• It prevents children from developing obesity. Babies have more control over their appetite and can stop eating when they feel full.
• Their fine motor and oral skills develop as picking up food, chewing, and swallowing require a certain level of skills.
• Reduces fussiness around food and dependence on screen time during meal time.

How Safe Is Baby Lead Weaning?

It is safe to allow the child to eat on their own. Every child weans at different periods. Parents need to allow their babies to take their time. Some may take a few extra months. Parents must ensure the child is sitting on a highchair supporting their backs well. They should not slip or slide down.

Safe Tips To Keep In Mind When Trying Baby Led- Weaning

Gagging is a very common reflex that causes the child to cough and have watery eyes. But gagging is a safety reflex.
On the other hand, choking happens when food gets stuck, and the baby makes a sound or noise.
Choking can be prevented by avoiding choking hazards such as popcorn, grapes, raisins, hot dogs, and raw vegetables.
It is also useful if parents familiarise themselves with the Heimlich manoeuvre. As a precaution, these steps should be followed:

• Always staying around the baby while they are eating and monitor them.
• Making sure the baby is sitting upright while eating.
• Serving food that is not too hard. Avoid foods such as apples, grapes, sausages, almonds, raisins, etc.
• Learning the basics of performing the infant Heimlich manoeuvre.
• Do not panic when the baby gags as they might get scared watching the parent being scared. It can also develop negative associations with eating.

How to start baby-led weaning?

• Parents should first learn to identify signs of the baby's readiness and talk to the paediatrician.
• If the baby is comfortable with spoonfeeding, give them time to wean. Most kids at 6 months are not ready for fingerfood. Moreover, during the initial 2 months of baby-led weaning, they do a lot of licking and exploring and not eating.
• Be prepared for the mess. Babies are learning and exploring, hence they smash food on themselves and around them. This can be avoided by providing less messy foods.
• Allow babies to feed with the family around the table. Provide them with the same ingredients in a slightly overcooked form. They learn to eat by watching others.
• As most babies at this age are breastfeeding, parents can rest assured as they are not deprived of their nutrition.
• Eating should be treated as a natural and expected part of the day. Avoid scolding or praising.

Best Baby Led Weaning Foods

Starting foods of appropriate sizes and textures can encourage babies while preventing choking hazards. When weaning the baby, breastfeeding or infant formula continues to provide most calories that the baby needs. Their breast milk or formula intake gradually reduces as their intake of solids increases.

Starter foods:

• Boiled pumpkin
• Avocado
• Oranges without inner skin
• Banana
• Baked skinless potato
• Steamed carrots, broccoli, and beans
• Mashed berries
• Unsweetened yoghurt
• Salmon
• Hard-boiled egg
• Oatmeal

Conclusion

Baby-led weaning is an alternative method of introducing solid foods to babies.
It has various benefits, but it is important to be cautious.
Baby-led feeding promotes healthy social behaviour and prevents overfeeding of babies.
The key is to select the right type of food and texture while allowing the babies to learn, explore, and enjoy the process.