At six months of age and when they can sit upright on their own, it is recommended to abandon exclusive breastfeeding and introduce the first solids in the baby’s diet. The “Baby Led Weaning” either “baby-led complementary feeding” is a feeding method in which Babies are the ones that self regulate what and how much they eat, as they discover food. It is the little one who decides.
The method consists of offering the baby pieces of food the size of his fist and allowing him to take them himself, explore and test flavors and textures by putting them in his mouth. In this way and accompanied by an adult, the baby can regulate what he eats. He will also learn to chew before swallowing.
if you baby He is now six months old, can sit up on his own, and you notice that he is awakening an interest in food (imitates you when you eat, points to your food) you can start with the method. There is little chewing and swallowing at first – babies begin by exploring. They take food to their mouths, chew it and spit it out, although some may be swallowed.
Nutritionally, this is not a problem because he still receives the necessary nutrients from the milk. In general, it is noticeable that around the year the baby begins to eat more and decrease milk consumption, all by choice.
Benefits of “bay led weaning”
– Promotes the development of fine motor skills. The different smells, textures and flavors of food stimulate baby’s senses. Finding food, taking it by hand, putting it in the mouth, chewing it and swallowing it implies various challenges and stimuli that help its development. Plus, it’s a treat for all your senses!
– The baby learns to chew before swallowing. In this way he understands that if something cannot be destroyed with her mouth, she should not swallow it, thus reducing the risk of drowning.
– It favors the autonomy of the baby and allows him to control his own body. You can decide for yourself how much and what to eat according to your needs and at your own pace, not at the speed that the adult imposes when spooning food. The evolutionary rhythm of each baby is respected.
– Include the baby in the social dynamics of the family table.
Sabrina and Juan practiced the method with their children Teo (5 years old) and Félix (1 year old).
“The autonomy is what I liked the most about the method” says Sabrina. She also points out a difference between “BLW” and the conventional way: “When they start eating purees, the first thing they do when they have something in their mouths is swallow. On the other hand, when they have food in their mouths and they take it from one place to another, chewing and manipulating, they swallow the food once they break it down and thus avoid drowning”.
This is important learning if we take into account that babies put everything they find in their mouths, such as small toys. However, it is common for parents to be afraid that the child will choke. “You have to leave them. there is fear at first but when the baby cannot swallow, he gags and brings the food forward”. With the attentive company of an adult, there is nothing to worry about.
Juan pointed out a behavioral aspect of the baby’s development when practicing the method: “I think it develops the will much more, the control of what I eat, how I eat it and what I grab. The child becomes much more confident”. By leading her feeding, the baby expresses her will, while in the traditional method a passive attitude is maintained.
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Do you want to start with the method?
It is recommended to offer foods one by one, in order to identify if the baby is allergic to any food and start with softer foods like a banana, or steamed vegetables. you will need nutritious food presented in the right format: unsalted and sliced lengthwise (nothing round) the size of your fist. Once they develop the ability to grasp things with their fingers, in a “pincer” fashion, you can move on to smaller meals.
– Get a silicone bib, easy to wash and with a pocket at the end, so you avoid food falling on your clothes.
– Sit him in a high chair near the table, together with the rest of the family. The baby also learns from the habits of the family.
– Offer him the same food as the rest of the family, with the necessary adaptations and precautions.
– Do not feed them into their mouths, help them if they have trouble handling glasses or cutlery, but allow them to bring things closer to their mouths.
– Get ready for the mess! Sucking, squashing, and smashing food is part of the learning process.