Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) in the Philippines
Baby Led Weaning (BLW) is a method of allowing your baby to self-feed with finger size solid foods rather than the traditional purees through spoon-feeding.
Since your baby can self-feed, they can eat together with the family during mealtime. They decide what, how much and how quickly they can eat.
When to start feeding your baby?
Experts agree that the best time to start feeding is when your baby is already 6 months old.
Also, your baby will show signs of readiness like:
They can sit without support and on their own.
They don’t have the tongue-thrust reflex anymore. A tongue-thrust reflex is when they try to push the food out of their mouths.
They are attempting to chew on their food.
They are participating during mealtimes like grabbing the plates or utensils.
BLW Benefits
Preparing BLW food is easier and less time consuming than purees.
Since the baby is self-feed, they can eat with the family at the same time.
BLW babies know how to self-regulate. They stop when they know that they are full.
They learn how to chew and swallow.
At an early age, they can already differentiate the textures, sizes, tastes, and shapes of food.
It can improve their dexterity.
It can also develop their oral-motor skills at an early stage.
BLW babies are less likely to be picky eaters.
BLW Risk
CHOKING!
Before you start, here are the things that you should be aware of:
1. Your baby will gag and it is okay.
As early as 6 months old, babies are developmentally ready to eat finger size foods. They have a good natural gag-reflex that allows them to move the food back and forth to their mouth so that they will not choke.
Know the difference between gagging and choking
LOUD AND RED, LET THEM GO AHEADSILENT AND BLUE, THEY NEED A HELP FROM YOU
For your peace of mind, you should know infant CPR whether through actual classes or by watching Youtube videos.
2. Your baby can eat almost the same meal on your dining table.
I usually make simple Pinoy dishes with salt and pepper only. But babies’ kidneys are not mature enough to handle salt and sugar.
As an example, when I cook Chicken Tinola meal for us. I prepare the ingredients all at the same time. The only difference is the cut on her meal vs. on our meal. I cook the Tinola as usual. While I tenderized the meat, I steam her veggies and meat simultaneously using the same casserole.
3. Prepare for the mess
BLW is messier than the traditional weaning.
TIPS!
Choose a high chair that is easy to clean and rinse off.
Choose a bib that’s made of silicone or plastic so you can easily wipe off excess food.
4. Make the food soft enough
To ensure that the food is safe for your baby, mash it between your finger and thumb.
5. Don’t overwhelm
Avoid putting too many pieces of food on the table at once. Try offering them one by one so your baby can focus on each slice.
6. Avoid round food.
Cut grapes, cherry tomatoes, cherry in quarter sizes.
7. Cut food in long finger size strips
Make sure to cut the food in finger size so they can easily grasp them.
8. Know when they are done
They are done once they don’t show any more interest in food. They turn their heads away, close their mouth or start to get impatient.
Suggested Food to Introduce for BLW
Mealtime Schedule
Notification
I am not a healthcare professional. This blog serves as guide if you wanted to know more about BLW. It’s better to consult your pediatrician to know the most suited weaning for your baby.
I’d love to hear from you! Let me know your thoughts below.
How about you? Is your baby weaned traditionally or baby led?
If traditional weaning, what were your challenges?
If baby led? How was your experience?
