When it comes to weaning, parents are now bombarded with so much information and opinions on the feeding methods namely baby-led weaning (BLW) and spoon-fed. This has left them confused and not knowing where or how to start introducing solids to their baby.
In this post, we will help parents find the right weaning method that works both for them and their little ones. And how you decide to wean your baby is entirely up to you as there is no right or wrong way to do it. You may choose one of the approaches and stick with it, or mix both of the elements.
Baby-led weaning (BLW)
As the name implies, BLW is a relaxed and unstructured weaning method which is allowing the baby to feed solid food themselves, without (or very limited) help from an adult. It is the idea of skipping purees and instead, starting your baby on soft, age-appropriate finger foods right away.
Baby-led weaning is intended and safe for babies age 6 months and over, or when your baby has reached the required milestones of sitting up and bringing their hands to the mouth to eat food. By this age, babies usually have lost the tongue-thrust instinct (where they push food out of their mouths).
When going for BLW, your baby will mostly eat foods that are soft, easy to grab, and cut into long strips about the width of a pinky nail. It is important to cut the foods safely to reduce the risk of your baby choking.
Pros of baby-led weaning
- Exposure to a variety of food textures from the beginning
- Allows your baby to join in family mealtimes more easily
- Improve independence and fine motor skills as your baby can pick up food for themselves
- Promote self-control with food intake
- Less food preparation involved - you'll have more time with your little one!
Cons of baby-led weaning
- It can get messy
- You have less control over how much your little one is eating
- Some parents may worry there is a higher chance of choking
- Parents tend to have extra concerns that their baby is not getting the right nutrients through BLW. The key is to always offer your baby the right kinds of food, and preferably foods that are enriched with iron.
Spoon-fed weaning
Spoon-fed weaning is self-explanatory, as this is the most common and traditionally practised since forever ago. It is when babies are offered soft, mashed or pureed foods on a spoon by a parent or a caregiver. And these foods will typically be porridges, vegetables and fruits purees, or baby rice/cereal.
Your baby can begin to be spoon-fed anywhere between 4-6 months, depending on your baby's developmental milestones. Remember to always consult your paediatrician prior to starting solids!
Pros of spoon-fed weaning
- Less messy
- Less risk of choking - one less thing to worry about!
- Easier to know how much food your baby is consuming and the nutrient density of their foods
Cons of spoon-fed weaning
- It does not allow baby to self-regulate their food intake
- Can slow down their developmental skills if they are being spoon-fed for too long
- Prepping mashed and pureed foods can be time-consuming
- May develop a dislike for lumps in their foods if you feed your baby smooth mixes and purees for too long.
Ultimately, it all comes down to you and your baby - finding out which approach suits you both best. Don't be afraid to experiment and try the mixture of the two methods! If you are not ready, it is totally okay to start with spoon-feeding and move on to BLW next. No pressure, parents!
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