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BABY LED WEANING : What You Need To Know Before Starting

 

 

Weaning is the process of transitioning your baby from drinking formula, breast milk, or a combination of the two to eating solid foods. Once your baby reaches around 6 months old, you might start thinking about weaning him. This means slowly introducing new foods while reducing the amount of liquid sources in his diet. The practice of introducing solids to babies at this age has been referred to as “baby-led weaning” in recent years. If you’re considering starting a baby-led weaning program with your little one, read on for essential information and tips that can help you make an informed decision. Keep reading to learn more about how this type of weaning works and what you need to know if you’re thinking about embarking on a baby-led weaning program with your little one.

What's the difference between "baby-led weaning" and "traditional" weaning?

Baby-led weaning is when the baby feeds themselves, while traditional weaning is when the parent feeds the baby. The basic premise of BLW is that babies are perfectly capable of feeding themselves from a very young age. BLW supporters say that by giving your child solid foods and letting them self-feed, you'll help them develop more independence and confidence at an earlier age.

However, some experts warn that BLW may pose certain risks. For example, babies who eat alone can miss out on certain nutrients if they don't eat enough food or if they don't chew it properly (some parents even worry about choking hazards). And because it's easy for babies to choke on large chunks of food like chicken or steak—especially when they're not yet coordinated enough to use utensils—they should always be supervised by an adult during BLW sessions (and not left alone with their food).

How do I know if my baby is ready for BLW?

Here are some signs that your baby may be ready to start BLW:

• They can sit up unassisted and hold their head up well.

• They can chew and swallow. If they aren't quite there yet, you'll want to wait until they're more developed before you introduce solids. (It's better for them to learn how to chew first before getting into feeding themselves.)

• Most parents find that their baby is ready when they show a clear preference for certain foods over others, such as preferring sweet fruit to savory meats. When your baby is ready, you can introduce a new food, such as soft cooked egg or avocado, and let them extract the food on their own. You can also try offering your baby finger foods such as soft cooked egg, avocado or soft scrambled egg.

What should I be aware of when starting BLW with my baby?

• You should know your baby’s nutritional needs.

• You should be aware of dangerous foods and when they are safe to introduce.

• How to prepare and store food safely, including how long it will keep in the fridge or freezer.

• How to deal with choking and gagging, as well as when to give your child something else if he/she is not ready for that particular food.

                              

                                                   

How can I start introducing solid foods to my baby using BLW?

The first step to introducing solid foods is to start with purees. You want to introduce one new food every week, and don't worry if your baby doesn't eat it right away—they may not like the taste right off the bat, but that doesn't mean they won't come around in a few days or weeks. If you're using jarred foods from the grocery store make sure they contain no sugars or salt; you can also make your own purees using fresh fruits and vegetables (just steam them until soft, then blend).

Starting at around 6 months of age, babies often take in and retain solid foods such as oatmeal, Scrambled egg,and soy products. Introducing solid foods to babies at an early age can protect them from developing allergies later in life .

 

For children aged six to nine months, I like to offer them a spoonful of good quality porridge (cooked barley, oatmeal, or rice) and let them explore the porridge to see if they like the texture and taste. You can use any food to introduce solid foods, but I recommend porridge for its convenience - it's easy to prepare, comes in a variety of forms, and is relatively cheap. I also like to use it for a "kitchen sink" meal when my child is getting hungry .

 

If you’re wondering whether BLW is right for your baby and family, our first piece of advice is to talk with your doctor. It’s also a good idea to not go it alone—you can find a wide community of parents who are doing this on social media, such as the Facebook group Baby-Led Weaning by Gill Rapley (BLW). Whatever you decide, remember that this is an individual choice that fits your unique parenting style and needs.