How do baby-led weaning babies eat?
Baby-led weaning is a method of introducing solid food to babies whereby purées and spoon-feeding are skipped entirely in favor of finger foods that a baby self-feeds. A parent is to wait for their baby to show signs of readiness for eating and to follow the baby’s cues in all matters of introducing solid food.
Do babies eat enough baby-led weaning?
Most BLW babies don’t eat significant amounts of solid food until they reach 8 or 9 months, and some not until after their first birthday. Those who start off enthusiastically and then lose interest simply enjoy the novelty of food more than those who start more slowly. When that wears off, they slow down for a while.
How much should baby-led weaning eat?
When working out how much food to give your baby, aim for portions the same size as their fist, with one fistful of protein, one fistful of carbohydrates and two fistfuls of vegetables or fruits. Your baby will enjoy sitting and eating with you and your family, so share family mealtimes with them as much as possible.
What are the pros and cons of baby led weaning?
Here are the pros and cons of Baby Led Weaning (henceforth known as BLW) in my experience:
- Con: Babies don’t have teeth.
- Con: It’s a waste of food and money.
- Con: It doesn’t save time.
- Con: Choking.
- Pro: It utilizes babies’ tendency to explore things with their mouths.
- Pro: It promotes active engagement from parents.
How long does it take baby to eat after led weaning?
Around 8-10 months old and after practicing eating solid foods for 2-3 months, most babies no longer need a breast or bottle appetizer before a solid food meal. At this age and stage, most babies are ready for a hunger-drive motivation to explore and eat at the table.
Can you do baby led weaning with no teeth?
Do babies need teeth for baby led weaning? No! Gums are super strong and front teeth aren’t used for chewing—that happens when the back molars come in. Teeth really have nothing to do with whether or not a baby can eat solids.
Can you mix BLW and puree?
A combined approach that includes both finger foods for self-feeding and the spoon-feeding of purees is fine when babies are fed responsively, and there is no evidence that a combined approach is detrimental. A misconception about BLW is that purees should be avoided.
What’s wrong with baby led weaning?
BLW infants may be at risk of inadequate iron intake as the consistence of these foods makes them difficult for babies to self-feed. Furthermore, most easily graspable foods, such as fruits and vapour cooked vegetables, which are the most commonly introduced during BLW, are known to be generally low in iron [25, 33].
What are the disadvantages of baby-led weaning?
Cons
- Potential safety concerns. Giving babies certain foods before they’ve developed the needed oral motor skills to eat it could lead to gagging, vomiting and potentially choking.
- Potential negative mealtime experience.
- It’s harder to pinpoint an allergic reaction.