Baby-led weaning: A complete guide to first foods

Starting solids is an exciting, messy, and sometimes nerve-wracking time for many parents. Using a baby-led weaning approach won’t help with the mess, but it may help relieve parental stress and help babies foster a healthy relationship with food. Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to getting started.

IN THIS ARTICLE:

What is baby-led weaning?

When to start baby-led weaning?

How to start baby-led weaning?

Top 6 benefits of baby-led weaning

Are there any risks of baby-led weaning?

Best baby-led weaning foods: Top first foods

Foods to avoid during baby-led weaning

When to introduce the top food allergens

Baby food charts for baby-led weaning: BLW foods by age

Takeaway

Baby-led weaning FAQ

What is baby-led weaning?

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is one way to introduce solids by focusing on infant self-feeding, and by serving the family’s table foods from the start. The term was popularized by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett, co-authors of the self-titled book in 2009. According to Rapley and Murkett, babies should learn to eat by sitting with family at mealtimes and receive plenty of opportunities to practice feeding on their own.

Some advocates argue purees are not part of a BLW foods approach, but it’s actually quite common for parents and nutrition and feeding professionals alike to practice a combination of both baby-led and traditional weaning. 

The term “weaning” isn’t used to mean a quick transition away from breast milk or formula. All weaning is meant to complement breastmilk or formula intake and to slowly transition your baby to a solid foods diet. Until then, breastmilk and/or formula remain the primary source of nutrition until one year of age, and it’s important not to reduce these feedings once solids are introduced. Babies will naturally reduce their milk or formula feedings on their own as they begin to consume more solid food.

When to start baby-led weaning?

Baby-led weaning (also known as baby-led feeding) should begin at 6 months to ensure the baby's digestive and immune systems have enough time to properly develop. Additionally, your baby should show the following signs of readiness before beginning BLW: 

• Sits up independently with good head and neck control 

• Loss of tongue thrust reflex 

• Brings toys or other objects to their mouth 

• Shows an interest in table foods  

How to start baby-led weaning?

Before you begin, make sure to check for signs of readiness (see above).  If you have any questions regarding readiness, we recommend checking with your pediatrician before starting solids.

Start slow 

Eating is a skill that requires practice and time to master, much like crawling or walking. Start slowly by offering your baby one solid meal a day ideally as part of family mealtime. Family mealtime can be defined as at least one parent and child eating together. Choose a meal when your baby isn’t tired or hungry — this may vary from day to day! 

Set up a safe place to eat

The safest place for a baby to eat is in a highchair. They should be well-supported and able to freely move their arms and hands to reach for food off the tray. Baby’s back should be straight, not reclined. Parents and caregivers should sit facing the baby.

Take your time

Give your baby ample time to explore and play with food in the beginning stages. Do what you can to make mealtimes enjoyable and fun for your baby. Do not try to distract your baby while they are eating.

Choose age-appropriate foods

BLW appeals to many parents because it doesn’t require special baby foods. However, family foods need to be prepared and served in a safe, age-appropriate way. Make sure any food served is soft and easily mashed between two fingers. Start with strips of food, about the size of an adult pinky, and progress to smaller diced foods as your baby’s feeding skills improve.

Offer food without pressure

Baby-led weaning is just that—led by your baby! As a parent, it’s your job to provide baby-led weaning foods and opportunities to practice self-feeding. It is your baby’s job to decide if they will eat and what they will eat. Never put food into your baby’s mouth or try to make them eat more or less than they want.   

Top 6 benefits of baby-led weaning

May lower the risk of obesity 

This approach may reduce the risk of obesity [1] later in life due to BLW infants' greater ability to regulate hunger and fullness cues. In fact, studies show toddlers who were weaned using BLW had a lower BMI and incidence of obesity than those who were traditionally spoon-fed. They were also less likely to eat in response to food stimuli, say being offered a snack at a sporting event if they weren’t hungry. 

Exposure to a large variety of foods

Although studies aren’t conclusive, there’s reason to believe families who follow a baby-led style will expose their infant to a wider range of foods [2] including more textures and flavors than traditional weaning. Consuming a larger variety of foods is associated with better diet quality and health outcomes. 

Encourages development of motor skills

Self-feeding is a key component of BLW and provides babies with many opportunities to develop and practice both gross and fine motor skills [3]. Exploring and picking up foods on their own increases the number of opportunities babies have to practice strength-building movements. 

Reduces parental mealtime stress

One study surveyed mothers' attitudes [4] about using a BLW approach and found that they reported the approach was simple, convenient, and easy to fit into family lifestyles and mealtimes. They also reported less stress around mealtimes and introducing foods to their infants. 

Increases favorable feeding practices

More and more research is examining the role of parental feeding practices on children’s future health outcomes. In general, practicing baby-led weaning may lead to more favorable feeding styles [5] such as being less likely to restrict foods or pressuring children to eat. However, it isn’t clear if parents who choose BLW are just less likely to use negative feeding strategies or if BLW encourages the development of favorable feeding practices. 

Saves time and money

Parents may save time if they are planning to make their own baby foods by simply serving family foods in a safe way. Additionally, the cost of store-bought baby foods tends to be high, so many families notice savings by not having to purchase these foods.

Are there any risks of baby-led weaning?

Overall, when practiced correctly, baby-led weaning is a safe and effective way to introduce solids to an infant. Research shows no greater risk of choking or nutrient deficiency for this method versus a more traditional weaning style. However, parents should be aware of the following concerns before starting.

Mealtimes get messy

Infants who start consuming solids are going to get messy — there’s really no way around it! Part of learning to eat involves exploring and playing with food as well as sometimes missing their mouth. So if you are the type that can’t handle a mess, it might not be for you.

To make clean-up easier, feed your baby in just a diaper, invest in wipeable bibs, a BPA-free silicone suction bowl, and a washable splash mat for the floor to catch anything that falls. (Dogs are also great at this, but they're much more maintenance.)

Family foods may not always be suitable for infants

One of the best things about this method is that it doesn’t require a lot of extra cooking or food preparation. However, not all family foods may be suitable for infants such as fast food or meals with added sugars or salt.

These types of foods may negatively impact infants’ immediate health, and may also set them up to prefer these types of foods later in life. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying these foods in moderation, keep in mind you’ll need to have another option on hand for your baby.

Best baby-led weaning foods: Top first foods

While the majority of an infant’s nutritional needs will still be met by breastmilk or formula until about 1 year, complementary foods are still important in boosting an infant’s nutritional intake. For this reason, it’s recommended that a variety of foods be introduced into the diet as early as possible. Include foods from all food groups, not just fruits and vegetables, and add in foods rich in high-priority nutrients such as iron, protein, and fats whenever possible.  

During the early stages of BLW, offer food that is easy for your baby to pick up and bring to their mouth. For example, a cooked zucchini stick or floret of broccoli (steamed, boiled, roasted, or stir-fried) can be easy for babies to grab without having to pinch food between their thumb and forefinger, a great BLW first food. Having food that’s easy to handle can make things less frustrating (and more fun) for everyone.

Iron-rich foods

Iron is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body to muscles and organs as well as supporting brain development in young children. Needs are increased early in life due to rapid growth. In order to make sure your baby is getting enough, try to include iron-rich food with every meal if possible.

• Meat (beef, pork)

• Poultry (chicken, turkey)

• Eggs

• Beans

• Lentils 

• Tofu

• Fortified breakfast cereal

Protein-rich foods

Protein provides the building blocks to support growth and development in babies and young children. Many protein foods are highly nutrient-dense as well, which is important for babies who only eat small amounts of food at a time. 

• Meat (beef, pork)

• Poultry (chicken, turkey)

• Fish

• Eggs

• Beans

• Lentils

• Tofu

• Cheese

• Yogurt

• Nut butter

• Whole grains

Fat-rich foods

Don’t skimp on the fat! Babies need fat for energy, to help with nutrient absorption and certain fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, are essential for brain development. 

Easily incorporate fat into your baby’s meals by choosing full-fat dairy products, using olive oil or butter to prepare vegetables, or spreading nut butter thinly on toast or crackers.

• Avocado

• Fish

• Full-fat yogurt

• Full-fat cheese

• Olive oil

• Butter 

• Nut butter

• Eggs 

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that help promote optimal growth and development. They also provide fiber and early exposure increases the likelihood that babies will continue to enjoy fruits and veggies later on in life. 

• Carrots (cooked)

• Broccoli (cooked)

• Butternut Squash (cooked)

• Cauliflower (cooked)

• Cucumbers 

• Zucchini (cooked)

• Cherry Tomatoes 

• Sweet potatoes (cooked)

• Potatoes (cooked)

• Plums (very ripe)

• Peaches (very ripe)

• Apples (cooked)

• Kiwi

• Avocado

• Banana

• Raspberries

• Blueberries

• Strawberries

• Pears (very ripe)

• Grapes

• Cantaloupe

• Watermelon

• Cherries (pitted)

• Mango (very ripe)

Foods to avoid during baby-led weaning

At times, babies may want to try different foods but be careful to avoid foods that are choke hazards such as:

• Raw, hard vegetables that are difficult to chew

• Cubed or round foods like grapes or sliced, dime-like hotdogs

• Crunchy, hard foods that are heavily textured like chips or popcorn

When to introduce the top food allergens

The latest research on food allergy prevention [6] suggests that top allergen foods should be introduced around six months of age when babies start eating solids. You should plan to introduce potential allergens to your baby early on and keep offering them. Allergic reactions may occur after the first exposure and beyond. Allergic reactions to food usually occur quickly (within a few hours), but you may consider serving high-risk allergy foods early in the day so you can watch for a reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction often include skin rash, diarrhea, and vomiting. 

The following nine foods are currently the top food allergens: cow’s milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and sesame. 

Baby food charts for baby-led weaning: BLW foods by age

The charts below represent what a sample day could look like for a baby that age to help you with a weekly meal plan. But remember, you know your baby best and their day may not look exactly like this. Adapt the schedule in a way that works realistically for your family. Family meals are a cornerstone of BLW, so if it is easier to start with dinner instead of breakfast as suggested, do that. Each day might look a bit different and that’s okay too!

As your child grows, expect to gradually introduce more meals with solids between their regular feedings of breastmilk/formula. That timeline will look something like this:

6 months	1 solid meal per day
7 - 9 months	2 solid meals per day
10 - 11 months	3 solid meals per day
12+ months	3 solid meals, 2 snacks per day

6 month baby-led weaning food chart

At 6 months, a baby should be eating 1 solid food meal a day. Food should be cooked until soft enough to mash between your fingers. It should be cut into strips, about the size of an adult pinky, or mashed and pre-loaded onto a spoon.

7 - 9 month baby-led weaning food chart

At 7 - 9 months, a baby should be eating 2 solid food meals a day. Food should be cooked until soft enough to mash between your fingers. Food may now be diced into small pieces or mashed and pre-loaded onto a spoon.

10 - 11 month baby-led weaning food chart

At 10 - 11 months, a baby should be eating 3 solid food meals a day. Food should be cooked until soft enough to mash between your fingers and cut into small pieces. Children at this age may start using anti-gag utensils more purposefully but don't expect to put the splash mat away just yet.

12+ month baby-led weaning food chart

At 12 months, a baby should be eating 3 solid food meals a day and two snacks. Food should be cooked until soft enough to mash between your fingers and cut into small pieces. At this age, families may choose to introduce whole cow’s milk or an appropriate milk alternative. Talk to your pediatrician or a pediatric registered dietitian about what’s best for your family.

Takeaway

• Baby-led weaning (BLW) is a method of introducing solids by focusing on infant self-feeding and serving family's table foods.

• BLW may begin around 6 months, when the baby shows signs of readiness such as sitting up independently, loss of tongue thrust reflex, mouthing toys, and showing interest in table foods.

• To start BLW, ensure readiness and begin with one solid meal a day during family mealtime. Use a highchair in a safe setting, allow exploration and play with food, offer age-appropriate soft foods in manageable sized pieces, and let the baby lead the feeding process.

• Top first foods for BLW include iron-rich foods (meat, poultry, beans, lentils, tofu), protein-rich foods (fish, eggs, cheese, yogurt, nut butter), whole grains, fat-rich foods (avocado, yogurt, cheese, nut butter), and various fruits and vegetables.

• It's important to adapt the feeding schedule to the baby's individual needs and consult with a pediatrician or dietitian for guidance.