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BLW is a baby-led approach to introducing solids. Babies have the autonomy to choose what, how much, and at what pace they eat.
1. What is Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)?
The term Baby-Led Weaning (BLW), also known as self-feeding, was first introduced by authors Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett in their book: Baby-Led Weaning – A Crucial Guide to Introducing Solids to Babies.
Babies make their own food choices in BLW. (Illustrative image)
Baby-Led Weaning (BLW), also known as self-feeding, is a method where babies autonomously decide what, how much, and at what pace to eat. Similar to traditional weaning, BLW is suitable for babies aged 6 months and above.
2. How does a mother start Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) with her baby?
Some mothers' advice is that when babies are ready for solids, mothers should choose a safe place for them to sit. Whether it's the baby's BLW high chair or in the parents' arms, safety is essential. Next, mothers should choose nutrient-rich foods suitable for their child's age, such as fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat, boiled eggs, and various fish. Avoid foods with sugar, salt, and fast food, processed foods. Do not give honey to babies until they are 1 year old.
The best time to start is when the whole family is eating. Mothers should get their child a high chair so they can sit with the family during meals. It's a great way for the child to participate in meals with everyone in the house.
Since babies' grasping ability is not fully developed, mothers should cut food into stick shapes or choose foods with large fibers for easy gripping. Excellent first BLW foods for babies include avocado, banana, sweet potato, soft apple, cooked carrot, beetroot, peach, pear, plum, pumpkin, egg yolk, pork, or poultry.
At first, babies may just play with the food. They'll grab the food clumsily and try to suck on it as if breastfeeding, but they may not be able to eat it yet. So, mothers should continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed between meals. As babies begin to eat, the amount of milk they consume will gradually decrease.
3. Types of Foods to Avoid for Babies Under 1 Year Old
When planning BLW meals for babies, mothers should avoid foods with a high risk of choking such as grapes, tomatoes, stone fruits...
Foods prone to allergies such as honey, egg whites, nuts (peanuts), seafood, citrus fruits should not be given to babies. If there is a family history of allergies, mothers need to research carefully.
Unhealthy and processed foods such as french fries, popcorn, sugary snacks, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, hard candy should not be given to babies.
Mothers should refer to the list of age-appropriate foods recommended by nutritionists for baby-led weaning.
4. Benefits of Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)
Introducing BLW allows babies to explore food independently, increasing their ability to eat a variety of foods later on. Traditional weaning babies tend to be less open to new foods. In contrast, BLW babies are accustomed to chewing and a diverse menu, making eating easier.
BLW helps curb obesity. (Illustration)
A study has revealed that babies who follow the BLW method tend to join family meals early and are able to eat a variety of dishes.
Another study shows that BLW encourages babies to choose healthier foods, potentially protecting them from obesity.
5. Notes for Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)
Even parents who support BLW agree that the process of introducing solid foods can be messy and chaotic. Most of the baby's food ends up on the floor, and babies often don't eat much.
From 6 months of age, babies begin to need iron from food because breast milk no longer provides enough. However, if babies follow BLW, they may struggle to chew foods like cooked meat, which is a good source of iron.
Mashed foods act as a bridge between liquid and solid foods. Mothers can determine how much their child has eaten by feeding them directly. At six months, babies can take food off a spoon with their lips instead of sucking. By 8 months, they can chew and swallow solid food. Therefore, the advice from health experts is that mothers should combine both traditional weaning and BLW or Japanese-style weaning combined with BLW.
6. Is Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) Choking Hazardous?
Mothers may worry about choking when introducing solid foods to their babies. Supporters of BLW argue that this is very rare if the baby is sitting upright.
In reality, babies can manage and control the amount of food they eat. Therefore, the risk of choking is very low. However, mothers should never leave babies unattended while eating. Another important point is to avoid hard foods like apples.
