How to Prep for Baby-Led Weaning
Thinking about starting baby-led weaning? Also known as BLW, this method of introducing solid foods to babies encourages independence, makes family mealtimes easier, allows for less-picky eating in the long run, increases hand-eye coordination, and helps with motor skill development. If you’re ready to commit to baby-led weaning, there are some ways to prepare and things to keep in mind before you begin. Keep reading to learn more about prepping for baby-led weaning, including the one product that all on-the-go baby-led weaning moms need!Make Sure Your Kiddo is Ready
Before you start baby-led weaning, make sure your kiddo is ready. Talk to your pediatrician about their stage of development and get their advice as to whether your child is ready to begin or not.
According to Solid Starts, most healthy, full-term babies are ready to start solid food around 6 months of age. However, your baby must reach the following developmental milestones before offering solid food or finger foods:
| Age | Baby is 6 months or older |
| Sitting | Baby is able to sit unsupported |
| Head Control | Baby is able to hold head upright and steady |
| Reach & Grab | Baby is able to pick up objects and easily bring them to their mouth |
| Interest | Baby mouths for food or leans forward for it |
Your baby must meet all of the above developmental milestones before you introduce solid food, particularly if you are going to start with baby-led weaning or finger foods.
Prepare Yourself, Too!
When preparing your baby for BLW, make sure that you take the time to prepare yourself and set expectations, as well. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Baby-led weaning is MESSY!
Before you start, make sure you understand that your baby is going to likely throw food, smear it all over their face and body, and make themselves and the area around them pretty messy. Letting your baby get messy is normal, so do not discourage it! Letting them explore textures is one of the most important parts of BLW.
Understand the difference between choking and gagging.
Your baby’s gag reflex is pretty far forward right now, which means they will likely gag while exploring new foods. Don’t freak out: This is totally normal and very helpful in moving their gag reflex to the back of their throat. Research the difference between gagging and choking so that you understand when to intervene and when to let your baby work it out themselves.
Set up a safe space to eat.
It is important that your baby has a safe place to eat that allows them to sit up straight, put their feet on something, and be able to reach their food. In addition, a splat mat underneath their eating area might be a great idea at first because, as mentioned, it will get messy!
Keep Mealtime Fun and Low-Pressure
A great benefit of baby-led weaning is showing your baby how much fun food can be. Letting them explore all of the different tastes and textures in a fun, low-pressure way will help them enjoy mealtime and see it as a positive experience.
Don’t worry if your baby leaves some—or all!—of their food on their plate, especially at first. This is all brand new to them, and it may take them baby steps to get used to the whole deal.
Don’t force your baby to try something new, and don’t put any food in their mouth yourself. If they don’t like something today, that doesn’t mean they won’t like it in a few days, weeks, or months from now. Babies change their tastes all the time!
Finally, make sure your baby is free from distractions while eating. Put away phones, tablets, the TV, and even books during mealtime. Make mealtime about the food. If they aren’t sitting still and aren’t interested, don’t force it. Just try again later!
Packing Baby-Led Weaning Food On The Go
When you’re doing baby-led weaning, it can be difficult to take your mashed banana, avocado, oatmeal, and more on the go. Luckily, Innobaby has an innovative solution for you!Innobaby Packin' SMART Stackables
These stackable containers are an all-in-one storage solution for all parents on the go. A diaper bag must-have, these little containers store, dispense and organize all of your essentials. Store measured powdered formula, cereal, puffs, sweet treats, or even pacifiers, bandaids, cotton balls, hair ties, or other little things you may need that you don’t want to endlessly search for at the bottom of your bag.
Need more convincing? You can use these at home, too! Store ice cream toppings, spices, crafts, coins, hair products, earrings, or even paperclips and other office supplies! Keep your house neat and organized with these perfectly sized cups.
They work with a patented click system to ensure they’re all together. If you need one, take one. If you need five, take five! You get to customize exactly what you need for the day, in whatever fun color or design you’d like. This is one of the original Innobaby products, and it’s still around because it’s just so helpful. They’ve even won the National Parenting Media Award and the iParenting Media Award!
They work perfectly for baby-led weaning to store your mushy beginner food, as well as storing formula for other feeding times.
For more parenting tips and great, safe family products, visit us at Innobaby.com!