5 Things to know about baby led weaning

5 Things to know about baby led weaning

Baby led weaning has become a hot topic in recent years. 

 It is not a new concept  just more  known to the masses than it was. 

 By the more conservative communities it was seen as a”hippy” type way to start your baby on solids. Almost an irresponsible way just because it was a lot more relaxed with less “shoulds” and constraints on rules and guidelines to do with starting solids.

Starting solids

Starting solids is a major milestone in a parents’ development in most cases. Over the last 20 years – roughly, the epidemic of allergy, food sensitivity and food intolerance has influenced all the education, thinking and teaching to parents on starting their baby on solid foods.

With all that research, new questions arise and there are still a number of guidelines that seem worth considering in baby led weaning. 

 Here are 5  of them.

1. You must supervise your baby 100% of the time when food is involved.  When your baby is eating in the beginning particularly, he or she is learning how to manage food in their mouth.  This means co-ordinating chewing with breathing  and swallowing. Your baby is unlikely to choke on food but it is absolutely necessary to supervise for that very small risk even when taking in

consideration of  food textures.

2.  Eating is best as a sitting activity. Or at least be still such as standing still. This is another safety factor- even for adults we are at risk of choking if moving around.  Plus it is better for digestion to be sitting and to teach healthy eating habits.

3.  It is messy.  Your baby will explore the food- squash it, paint it, drop it. Your baby will eat some, particularly if sitting with the family for meals, but exploring food is part of development, learning different textures and fine motor ability. Over time your baby will eat more and play with it less.

4.  Offer  2 or 3 different foods and let your baby choose.  If you put too much in front of them it is often overwhelming.

5. Start with softer textured foods such as cooked sweet potato, banana, kiwi fruit, avocado.

There is no doubt that baby led weaning will continue to pose questions and challenges to many parents and indeed health professionals for years to come.

Whether you choose this method or the more “traditional” way of spooning foods to your baby, the choice is yours.  

As with most aspects of baby care there is not one right or wrong way.  

Enjoy the process and remember to stay relaxed around food. 

 "Your job is to offer, your baby’s job is to eat or not." 

Baby led weaning is just another option.

For more info on your baby and solids get your "Real Foods for Healthy Babies" here

http://www.insyncwithinfants.com/solids.html