Baby Led Weaning Guide: 4 Tips For New Mamas

Have you been asking yourself if you are ready to feed your baby solid foods? Unfortunately, you are asking the wrong question. In this baby led weaning guide, we will dive deeply into how to start baby-led weaning.

As a mama, you will see your baby undergo many changes. One of these is seeing them transition from drinking nothing but milk to eating solid food.

Traditionally mamas help babies through this shift by introducing food purees. However, as time goes by, more and more women are leaning towards baby-led weaning.

In this article, we will explore what baby-led weaning exactly is, help you decide whether or not it’s the right choice for you and your baby, and provide you with a step-by-step guide on how you can safely start doing so.

What is Baby-Led Weaning?

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is a technique used to help babies adapt to eating solid food. Instead of feeding them pureed food to help them get used to their new diet, babies are provided with small pieces of food — usually fruits and vegetables.

There are many benefits to BLW, such as teaching babies how to explore the taste, texture, and aroma of the food they are eating. This will allow them to have a deeper appreciation for their meals.

On top of this, it will also improve babies’ eye-hand coordination, an important skill to enhance during their formative years.

But one of the most important benefits of BLW is that you and your baby will not feel pressured to transition from milk to solid foods.

While some mamas are afraid that their babies will not get enough nutrition if they use BLW, the National Health Services clarified that this shouldn’t be an issue as long as they are mindful of the food they provide their babies.

With all of the benefits that we have mentioned above, we think that BLW is worth considering. And if you feel the same way, continue reading because we have some practical tips to help you get started.

Baby Led Weaning Guide

As mentioned earlier, BLW is a great advantage for mamas looking for a slow and steady transition. Getting started takes no more than four steps.

1. Make sure that the baby is at the right age.

The first thing that you should consider is your baby’s age. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, solid food should be introduced to a baby around six months old.

Aside from their age, their abilities should also be considered. For instance, a baby should have enough neck and back strength to hold themselves tight while sitting.

It is also recommended to check the baby’s weight since it is recommended for babies to be twice their weight during birth before feeding them solid foods.

2. Start with small amounts of food.

During the early stages of the transition, giving your small baby portions of the get started is okay. We understand why some mamas get excited and would prefer that their babies eat a lot during their first feeding session, but you have to remember that it would take a while before they can get used to their new diet.

Experts suggest that you start with soft vegetables rich in nutrition, such as broccoli, carrot, potato, and sweet potato. Steam or boil food before cutting them into small pieces — preferably the size of your baby’s finger so they can grab it quickly.

As you go on, you can increase the portions depending on how much they eat.

Also Read: Introducing Solid Foods: The Best First Solid Foods for Baby

3. Make mealtime enjoyable.

Just like many other things, it will be easier for you and your baby to do something if you make it fun for them. However, unlike the usual food airplane that would land in their mouth, you may instead consider eating with them so that they can replicate what you are doing.

There are also a lot of nursery rhymes that you can play in the background to help motivate your baby to eat.

Aside from that, it will also be best to be prepared for mess and not worry about it while feeding your baby.

4. Have the right tools.

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Yes, mama, you read that right; there are things that you can use to make BLW feel like a walk in the park. For instance, having a suitable bowl and cutlery set can make a big difference in your baby’s feeding sessions.

You also need to find a way to avoid any water or milk spillage from their baby cup. Luckily there are specially designed silicone lids for this.

Furthermore, a specialized bib can help catch food and prevent unnecessary spillage on your baby’s clothes, furniture, and floor. Not to mention that this will also prevent additional stress during cleanup after.

Baby-Led Weaning Made Easier with Jolly Baby Feeding Set

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We might have just what you are looking for regarding the right tools. We have created a set of products that contains everything that mama needs to execute BLW tips successfully.

Our Jolly Baby Feeding Set comes with five pieces of premium products that will help your baby enjoy feeding time and help you worry less as they do so.

It has a nonslip bowl and cutlery set designed to stick on surfaces. This supports your baby as they improve their motor skills in putting food into their mouths. We’ve also created a universal sippy lid to attach to any cup to prevent spillage effectively.

Aside from that, the set also features a bib with a catch tray. This is a simple way to capture crumbs and prevent them from accumulating on your baby’s clothes along with your furniture & floor.

What are you waiting for? Set your baby up for success with these BLW essentials.