So we all know babies need nothing but breastmilk for around the first 6 months, but what then...most health professionals promote gradual weaning starting with pureed fruit and veg and gradually introducing thicker and lumpier foods. But there is an alternative...Baby Led Weaning.
BLW has been used for centuries by 2nd time mums who don't have the time or energy to make baby foods with a toddler underfoot. Instead they work on the basis that just as in breastfeeding, babies eat what they want when they want. There are no purees, and no ice cube trays of mush in the freezer. Instead babies are offered a range of finger foods cut into holdable shapes from 26 weeks (or later if they show no signs of been ready to wean.)
As with any weaning; foods containing salt, sugar, additives, and nuts (if a history of allegies) should be avoided. All other age appropriate foods can be given in any combination. Examples of foods include: steamed sticks of fruit and veg, breadsticks with humus, pasta, meatballs, chunks of cheese, pizza, peas...in fact baby can try any food you have in the cupboard. At first in BLW baby may not actully eat very much food at all but they will love exploring the taste and texture of different foods. Baby will begin by playing with the food, then they will suck, then chew and spit it out, and eventually start to swallow it. (Its a happy day when you open a nappy and find real poo instead of lovely breastmilk poo!) As with any style of weaning, breastmilk continues to be baby's primary source of nutrition up to 12 months so if only small amounts are eaten in the early days baby will continue to thrive on the goodness of breastmilk.
The advantages.
Babies who are allowed to feed themselves can join in easily with family meals, mum doesn't have to feed baby separately or spoon feed whilst her meal goes cold. They are also less likely to become fussy eaters as they experience a wide range of textures and tastes from an early age. BLW-ers learn to eat when they are hungry and control their own appetite rather than eating just because food is been put in their mouths. They have less food related issues such as been unable to move from purees to lumpy foods. Mums who give only finger foods don't need to find a microwave to heat up food when they are out and can often share their own meal with baby rather than buying separate foods. It's altogether easier and less stressful. The only real disadvantage of BLW is that it can be very messy as baby learns to feed themselves so a mess mat is essential.
Mum's views.
"Having weaned my first baby on purees at 4 months, and my second on mashed foods at 6 months, baby number 3 was weaned exclusively on finger foods and I recommend BLW 100%. Weaning has been so much easier and more enjoyable, he eats a huge range of foods and meal times are relaxed family times. We all eat the same food together and our family and friends have been amazed by what he manages to eat at such a young age." Jude
"We breastfeed on demand so it made perfect sense to let Niamh decide when and what she wanted to eat. No spoons, no puree, and no fuss. Its great, we make a meal and everyone in the house eats it, no messing about with blending and freezing etc. Niamh took to it straight away, but it took other family members longer to adjust. Mainly Niamh's grand-parents were worried that she would choke- she never did , a few times she gagged but she always managed to move the food in her mouth to where she wanted it." Claire
