Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) 101
What is Baby Led Weaning?
Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is an approach to introducing solid food to babies that encourages babies to explore foods at their own pace, by self-feeding instead of being spoon-fed purees.
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is more than a feeding method—it’s a journey of discovery, independence, and joy. BLW allows your baby to take the lead in introducing solid foods, encouraging self-feeding, and exploring new textures, flavors, and skills at their own pace.
With this approach, mealtime becomes an opportunity for discovery and growth, as your little one learns to chew, grasp, and feed themselves right from the start.
Continue reading to learn more about the benefits, key features, and tools needed for a successful baby-led weaning journey.
Why Choose Baby Led Weaning
- Promotes Independence: BLW encourages babies to feed themselves, fostering confidence and self-reliance.
- Improves Motor Skills: Grasping food, handling utensils, and bringing them to the mouth are great exercises for fine motor development.
- Encourages Healthy Eating Habits: By exploring a variety of whole foods, babies develop a positive relationship with food and a willingness to try new things.
- Family Mealtime Bonding: BLW allows babies to join in at the family table, sharing meals and creating special memories together.
How Baby Led Weaning Works
Step 1
Prepare for the Journey
Timing: Begin BLW when your baby is around 6 months old and showing signs of readiness, such as sitting up unassisted, having good head and neck control, and showing interest in food.
Set Up: Create a safe and comfortable mealtime space with age appropriate eating utensils (we recommend the SMPL Baby Led Weaning Kit which provides all the eating utensils you will need, and a high chair that supports proper posture.
Offer Safe Foods: Start with soft (squishable), easy-to-grasp foods like steamed vegetables (e.g., carrot sticks, broccoli florets) or ripe fruits (e.g., banana, avocado slices). Ensure foods are cut into pieces that are easy for tiny hands to hold.
Step 2
Encourage Self-Feeding
Let Baby Lead: Place a variety of foods on their plate and allow your baby to explore, touch, and taste at their own pace. There’s no need to spoon-feed (though you can start to teach your little one to eat with utensils on day one!) or rush—they’ll learn through practice. The best thing you could do to encourage them to eat, is sit down with them during mealtime and eat similar foods to model eating similar foods to those on their plate.
Provide Safe Utensils: Offer baby-sized utensils, like our SMPL silicone forks and spoons, designed for little hands and mouths. They help introduce your baby to the idea of using utensils while staying safe and easy to handle.
Stay Patient: BLW can be messy, and that’s okay! It’s all part of the learning process. Celebrate their progress, whether they’re smashing food, tasting it, or simply observing.
Step 3
Focus on Safety and Enjoyment
Monitor Closely: Always supervise your baby during mealtime to ensure they’re eating safely. Watch for signs of choking and offer foods that are soft, properly sized, and age-appropriate.
Make Mealtime Positive: Sit together as a family during meals to model healthy eating habits. Let your baby explore at their pace and enjoy the experience without pressure.
Stick with it: BLW is a journey that takes time. Celebrate milestones like their first grasp of a utensil or their first successful bite—it’s all progress toward independent eating!
Start Your Baby Led Weaning Journey with SMPL
