Baby Led Weaning or BLW for Babies (Complete Guide)

the moment of introduce solid foods to your baby it can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. While traditional complementary feeding methods involve purees and spoon feeding, an increasingly popular approach is Baby Led Weaning (BLW)either complementary feeding on demand.

What is the Baby Led Weaning or BLW Method?

He Baby Led Weaning is a complementary feeding approach that focuses on allowing the baby to explore and experiment with solid foods on their own. Instead of feeding the baby with a spoon, the baby feeds himself using his hands and/or utensils. Food is offered in large, easy-to-grasp chunksrather than being crushed or processed into a puree.

What are the advantages of Baby Led Weaning?

There are many reasons why parents choose BLW over spoon feeding. Among its advantages are the following:

• Promote independence and self-feeding in the baby.
• Allow the baby to explore and experiment with different textures, flavors and colors.
• Promote a healthy relationship with food and prevent overeating.
• Save time and money by not having to prepare and store purees.
• Simplify the feeding process, since parents can share their meals with the baby.

In addition to these benefits, the feeding baby with BLW it can also have a positive impact on the development of the baby. Allowing the baby to explore and experiment with solid foods on their own encourages development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Additionally, this eating technique can help prevent overeating and promote a healthy relationship with food.

When to start with Baby Led Weaning?

It is recommended to start with Baby Led Weaning when the baby is about 6 months old and has shown signs of being ready for complementary feeding. These signs include:

• Be able to sit without support.
• have good eye-hand coordination and be able to grasp objects.
• Show interest in food and what the adults are eating.

It is important to remember that every baby is different and there is no “right” age to start BLW. If you have doubts or questions, consult a health professional.

How to start with Baby Led Weaning?

To get started with BLW, parents must offer Solid food to the baby that are easy to grasp and chew. Some good foods to start with are:

• vegetable sticks such as carrots, cucumbers or bell peppers.
• soft fruits like bananas or ripe peaches.
• pieces of bread or soft tortillas.
• Cooked pieces of meat or fish.
• Pancakes or pancakes of fruits or vegetables

It is important to ensure that food is cut into pieces large enough for the baby to grasp easily and to avoid the risk of choking.

Tips for feeding your baby BLW

Here are some tips to help make the transition to BLW easier and more successful:

• offer a variety of foods so that the baby experiences different flavors and textures.
• Allow the baby to feed at your own pace And don’t force feed.
• Have patiencesince babies tend to play with food and drop it.
• Provide a safe and supervised environment for feeding.
• Offer liquids (as water) to help prevent dehydration.

What are common concerns with BLW?

Although Baby Led Weaning is an increasingly popular approach, there are some common concerns that parents may have. Among her are:

• The risk of choking. It is important to ensure that food is cut into pieces large enough for the baby to grasp easily and to closely supervise feeding.
• Intake of adequate nutrients. It is important to ensure that the baby is receiving adequate nutrients through a variety of solid and liquid foods.
• The amount of food that is wasted. It’s normal for babies to play with and drop food, but it can be frustrating for parents.

baby recipes

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Daily menu for babies from 6 to 9 months

Frequently Asked Questions about Baby Led Weaning

Is BLW or Baby Led Weaning safe?

Yes, Baby Led Weaning is safe as long as proper food safety guidelines are followed and baby’s feeding is supervised.

In addition to cutting food into pieces large enough for the baby to grasp easily and closely supervising feedings, it is important to avoid distractions such as television during mealtimes and to maintain a calm and relaxed environment.

baby recipes

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Oatmeal porridge for babies and children (easy and healthy recipe)

It is also important avoid hard and round foods like whole grapes or popcorn.

Can I start BLW if my baby has food allergies?

If your baby has food allergies, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional before starting BLW. He will guide you how you should do it in detail.

Can I combine BLW with spoon feeding?

Yes, many parents combine BLW with traditional spoon feeding, offering baby solid foods while also feeding purees.

When can I start offering harder foods to the baby?

As the baby develops fine motor skills and chewing ability, harder foods can begin to be offered. It is important to start with soft and easy-to-chew foods, such as bananas or broccoli pieces, before moving on to more solid foods such as meats and crunchy vegetables.

What should I do if my baby doesn’t seem interested in solid foods?

It is normal for some babies to have a slower transition period to solid foods. If your baby doesn’t seem interested, continue to offer solid foods along with spoon feeding and make sure she’s getting enough fluids.

Can I offer processed foods?

It is better to avoid processed and sugary foods and opt for fresh and natural foods instead.

Can I introduce Baby Led Weaning if my baby has no teeth?

Yes, babies can chew with their gums and they don’t need teeth to start BLW.

BLW Recipes

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Banana pancakes (EASY recipe with 2 ingredients)

In short, Baby Led Weaning is an increasingly popular approach to complementary feeding. Allowing baby to explore and experiment with solid foods on their own encourages independence and promotes a healthy relationship with food. Although there are some common concerns with BLW, with proper supervision and careful food selection, it can be a successful option for many parents.

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