What is Baby Led Weaning?

BLW is a nutritional or parenting approach that has its origins in Great Britain. Translated into German, Baby Led Weaning roughly means: 'baby-led introduction of complementary foods.'

This means that the baby is not passively fed purees, but from the start participates independently in family meals. That doesn't work with purees, of course, but with so-called finger food: vegetables, fruit, pasta, or meat are cooked and cut into small portions so the baby can feed itself.

The trend was popularized by theBritish nurse Gill Rapley.She methodically described Baby Led Weaning and published a guide together with Tracey Murkett, which also contains recipes for the BLW method.

Complementary feeding on demand

Complementary feeding with BLW is not entirely new, however. Many parents find that their child rejects purees and prefers to try what the parents or older siblings are eating.

A bit of BLW, for example in the form of small banana pieces or cooked pasta, has therefore long been common in many families. Usually, the baby-led introduction to complementary foods is seen asa natural continuation of on-demand breastfeedingviewed: A baby that eats independently can also decide when it is full and is not 'overfed'.

Eating without teeth: How does BLW work?

At the time complementary feeding begins, most babies only have a few teeth. Can they already eat solid food independently like that?

According to the BLW approach, this works without problems as long as the offeredfood is not too hard or too large.Soft-cooked potatoes, carrots, or zucchini can be licked and crushed by babies with their jaws; the same applies to cooked pasta, rice, or small pieces of soft bread.

Important prerequisites for Baby Led Weaning:

• Your baby should be able to sit upright unassisted in its high chairso it can participate in meals without help.

• Stable, child-appropriate seating, cutlery and tableware:Optimal are a high chair with a high backrest and anti-tilt protection,plates and bowls made of melamine as well as adrinking cupwith a lid and a plastic spoon.

• Parents, be patient:Independent eating takes a long time, especially at the beginning, and makes quite a mess. Gradually the children become more dexterous, but naturally they will continue to play and experiment with food for a long time.

How it works: Tips for complementary feeding with the BLW method

Getting used to foods before complementary feeding:

Even before the first complementary food is due, you can give your baby some soft fruit or steamed vegetables to hold so it can playfully have initial experiences with food. However, you should always be nearby to intervene in case your child chokes.

BLW plus breastfeeding:

The BLW method goes hand in hand with breastfeeding or feeding on demand. Because in the first weeks your baby will not get full from self-feeding. The dietary transition with BLW usually takes longer overall, but mealtimes together are more relaxed and babies who eat 'with the grown-ups' are often more independent and self-confident.

BLW recipes:

To implement Baby Led Weaning consistently, you also need ideas about what you can offer your baby within BLW. Soft fruit, steamed vegetables, cooked pasta or potato cubes are very suitable. In general, the food should be easy to portion, easy to grasp with the hands, and not too firm.

Expect mess:

When babies start to eat, it rarely happens without smearing and mess. This applies to purees as well as to finger food. Besides a secure high chair and shatterproof baby dishes, the most important utensil for Baby Led Weaning is therefore a large bib, preferably with sleeves.

Relaxed family meals:

BLW allows you as parents to calmly eat together with your child and focus on each other. At the same time, the children decide for themselves how much they want to eat, so frustration during feeding is avoided. With the necessary patience and consideration, relaxed family meals can be achieved in this way.