You can opt for a mixed approach. After hearing concerns (some unfounded) about the BLW method from others, I backtracked a little and started giving Bibi … But, the good news is that baby-led weaning from about six months can be perfectly safe, if done correctly. If a too-big piece of food has broken off into their mouth, coach your baby to spit it out by sticking out your own tongue dramatically. The aim of baby-led weaning is to enable your child to discover food at her own pace, so that will mean a whole ton of smashing, smearing, and dropping food. Be prepared for a mess. This article reviews baby-led weaning, including its benefits and safety. In our modern era, however, the term “baby-led weaning” was coined by Gill Rapley, PhD co-author of the Baby-Led Weaning book and a champion of this feeding philosophy. That translates to a mess at every meal. The Baby Led Weaning book encourages the introduction of foods that is easy and safe for baby to pick up and take to her mouth. Baby Led Weaning is the process of introducing food to your baby without using purees. Allowing your baby to eat safe, modified versions of the same foods the rest of the family eat is a centuries-old practice. Although baby-led weaning (BLW) is just as safe as spoon feeding, there are certain safety precautions it’s a good idea to consider before starting any type of solids. Rather than the traditional method of blending food so that it is entirely free of lumps and then spoon-feeding it to baby, with Baby Led Weaning, only the baby puts food into the baby’s mouth. Baby-led weaning introduces your child to their first foods without relying on spoon feeding. The most important thing to consider before you start baby-led weaning is whether your baby is ready. Is Baby-Led Weaning Just a New Parenting Fad? And now, the things you should refrain from with baby-led weaning: ... It’s up to you to offer healthy and safe foods, but it’s up to your baby to decide how much to eat. Pointers to Make Baby-Led Weaning a Success. Never put your fingers in your baby’s mouth to get food out. Not all babies will be ready to start trying solid foods at exactly six months old and may need a few extra weeks. A 2016 study of of 200 babies found that children who self-fed were no more likely to choke than babies who were spoon-fed, provided they were fed safe foods and supervised.