Thoughts on Baby Led Weaning?

Question

Does anyone on here have an opinion on baby led weaning? Is it just a crunchy mom thing, or is it actually becoming mainstream? Would you or would you not recommend it?
I got the book from my library and started reading it. I’m intrigued, but I’m struggling to get past all the derogatory comments the author is making about parents who give their babies purées.

Answer

I did BLW. I included purées but had them self feed (spoon it or pouches). I did not do purée only. Both my kids were preemies too (35 weeks and 27 weeks). 
Baby food and giving textureless foods only started because of baby food companies advertising that it’s safer and more convenient. There is no scientific backing to this. In fact, the science says the opposite. Giving textureless foods only for more than 1-2 months can cause oral delays (eating, drinking, talking, picky eating). It doesn’t teach how to bite, chew, or swallow. 
BLW made far more sense to me. Plus, it was fun to eat the same foods as my kids! 
Some pros I’ve seen from my kids: they eat a wide variety of foods, they like food, they drink lots of water, they were proficient with utensils by 13/14m
Solid starts is the absolute best resource. They don’t frown on purée only to start but they do given facts to encourage to be off that by 8/9m. They give lots of tips and tricky to help you along the journey. 
I would drop the book if you are feeling annoyed by the author. Follow solid starts on Instagram, download their app (so freaky handy), and use the search function on their website for all your questions. 
Go the route you want but remember it’s baby led weaning. That means let baby take the lead. Let babe feed themselves, touch the foods, smoosh the foods, lick, spit, and have fun. Don’t assume a food isn’t liked.

Answer

I’m a silky mom and did BLW with my first in 2017 and second in 2020. Will do again next year with my twins. It’s personal preference I don’t think it has to do with crunchy/silky. Both my kids are eaters. Always have been. They didn’t have texture issues. No allergies. They like seasoning and spice. They used utensils by age 1 and drake out of normal cups. Is it because of BLW? Meh. It’s honestly just easier for me to cut up what I’ve already cooked and let them eat that then buy special food and have to feed them by hand.

Answer

I did BLW with my 3 children. I recommend the app Solid Starts.

Answer

I always started off with purées but not for long as my kids seemed to take too BLW pretty well . There’s nothing wrong with purées in my opinion , maybe find another book that doesn’t make purées sound terrible . If you have Instagram follow a page called “ solid starts” very helpful! My kids are big snackers they always have been really, mainly my oldest . But they will eat pretty much anything .

Answer

I did BLW with my first (now almost 5yo) and idk if we just got lucky, or if it really did lead her to be a good eater but this kid eats EVERYTHING. No joke she eats sushi, sardines, oysters, buffalo wings, salsa, pickles etc. her variety is incredible. has 0 hesitation to trying new foods, only has 2 things she will not eat (zucchini and cooked onion, she will eat raw onion). We will be doing it again for our second when she turns 6 months this winter. I am by no means a crunchy mom lol.

Answer

I did in between. A little bit of purees but also encouraged soft whole fruits and cooked foods early on. I didnt do hard foods like carrots though until a bit bigger.

Thoughts on Baby Led Weaning?

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