What is baby-led weaning? (BLW)

Baby-led weaning is all about offering your baby a selection of foods to choose from and letting them feed themselves. Introducing your little one to solids through baby-led weaning allows them to be in charge, explore, and choose what they pick up and eat. This means they’re more likely to develop the skills needed for swallowing safely.

So far so simple, but here we explain what else you might want to know before deciding to introduce solids in this way.

When can I start baby-led weaning?

The recommended age to start baby-led weaning is from six months onwards. This is the same age as the alternative – spoon-feeding.

How do I start baby-led weaning?

To try baby-led weaning, your baby will need to be able to grasp whole pieces of food and bring them to their mouth. Babies usually develop this skill at around six months old.

First, you need to sit your baby upright facing the table, either on your lap or in a highchair. Make sure they are steady and can use their hands and arms freely.

You can start by offering your baby soft sticks and chunks of food, rather than feeding it to them. Try offering them things like:

cooked vegetables

fruit

pasta

soft foods like banana or avocado.