by Kayla M. Buker, MD, FAAP
One exciting milestone that many parents look forward to with their baby is the introduction of solid foods. Generally, we recommend starting this around six months of age, while still continuing to give breastmilk or formula. As for as how to begin, there are several options.
The traditional method for introducing table foods involves spoon-feeding purees to your baby, slowly increasing textures until your baby is eating full bites. However, over the past 20 years, a method called baby-led weaning has become more popular for starting solids.
The Benefits of Baby-Led Weaning
Baby-led weaning (BLW) – sometimes called auto-weaning – is a method where babies feed themselves. As parents, you provide them with modified versions of what is on your plate. Then, babies choose what and how much they eat.
The benefits of this BLW are that it:
- Fosters independence and autonomy.
- Allows babies to listen to their own satiety signals, so they naturally stop eating when they're full.
- Increases motor skills as babies work on grabbing the food, bringing it to their mouth, chewing, and swallowing.
- Brings baby closer to the table, connecting with the family (which is a foundational way to build healthy relationships with your children).
- Increases the variety of food that your baby is exposed to because you’re offering them foods from of your own diet. Some sources suggest that this may decrease picky eating in the future.
Potential Risks of Baby-Led Weaning
There can also be some risks to consider with the baby-led weaning approach.
1. Choking:
Choking is one of the biggest concerns for baby-led weaning. However, some studies have shown that there is no increased risk compared to the traditional method of starting solids. It is essential to modify food to match your baby’s abilities and be present with them while they’re eating so you can intervene if needed. For a 6-month-old baby, food should be served in long strips (the size of a finger). This allows the baby to grab the food and prevents choking due to the size.
Here are some examples of how to safely serve foods during BLW:
- Ripe avocado sliced in spears.
- Banana with some of the peel still on the bottom to keep the banana from slipping when your baby grasps it.
- Beef, lamb, or dark meat chicken in a large strip for your baby to suck on.
- Roasted sweet potato wedges.
- Steamed broccoli florets.
All food should be big enough for your baby to grab onto and soft enough for them to be able to mash up with their gums before swallowing.
2. Nutrient Deficiencies:
When babies are allowed to feeding themselves, there has been some concern that they may not be getting all the nutrients they need. The biggest concern we have is iron deficiency as babies tend to gravitate toward fruits and vegetables, most of which do not have high iron content. Routinely offering meals and snacks with some iron-rich foods such as beans, meat, and iron-fortified cereals can help with this concern.
Embrace Flexibility And Find What Works For Your Family
Overall, baby-led weaning does have many benefits, but remember, there is no one-size-fits-all way to feed your baby. You can start with traditional purees or baby-led weaning, or do a combination as you see fit for your baby. Ultimately, we want food introduction and eating to be a positive and fun experience for your baby. It’s also important to keep in mind that at the start, the majority of a baby’s nutrition and calories will continue to come from breastmilk or formula.
You can support healthy, full-spectrum nourishment by putting together naturally colorful food combinations, which are inherently varied in their vitamin/mineral content. You may have heard of the “eat the rainbow” concept. Providing a wide range of colorful fruits and vegetables, prepared in a variety of ways, also promotes familiarity with many healthy food types and is more likely to discourage picky eating.
If you do run into picky eating and frustrations with meal time, we recommend checking out the BetterBites online course from Kids Eat In Color. Through this self-paced course, parents learn what causes picky eating, how to understand their child’s eating behaviors, scripting for how to talk about food to build a healthy relationship with it, and strategies for avoiding food battles. PANW patients can contact our Referral Coordinator to access the course at a discounted price.
PANW Can Discuss Baby-Led Weaning At Your Next Appointment
Is your baby approaching the six- to nine-month stage? Your PANW pediatrician will check in about their eating habits and talk about the right stage for introducing solids during your next appointment. We can provide sample meal & snack ideas for your child’s age and also talk about ways to adapt baby-led weaning to match your baby’s ability levels.
And of course, our team of incredible physicians and nurses are always happy to answer any questions you may have about other strategies that encourage your child’s appetite for healthy and nutritious foods. Now, it’s time to get messy!!
