The ABCs of self-sustaining food

Introduction

Although many parents know that solid foods are introduced around 6 months, few dare to adopt baby-led weaning (BLW). This method of offering food to the baby involves letting them explore very large pieces of food on their own, without the parent putting a spoon in their mouth! For example, instead of offering avocado puree, from 6 months onwards, you could offer them a slice of ripe avocado that they can mash in their mouth using their tongue and gums. Amazing, isn't it?

But you'll be even more amazed to discover that from as early as 6 months, your baby can happily enjoy cubes of silken tofu or even sardine fillets! Of course, this doesn't mean offering your baby the same foods that mom and dad eat at mealtimes (at least not at the very beginning...). It's still important to prioritize unprocessed foods, without added salt or sugar. However, there's nothing stopping you from seasoning roasted sweet potatoes with dried oregano or an egg with ground curry. But you'll have to wait a while before offering them a slice of homemade pizza!

Baby-led weaning has always existed to some extent. Some babies eat purees before six months, but parents quickly realize that their little one wants to handle whole foods that end up on mom or dad's plate! For many professionals in the field, it was the English nurse Gill Rapley who named the concept and wrote the first book on the subject in the early 2000s. Since then, she has gained many followers, and some parents choose to practice this method from the outset for its practicality, but above all, because several advantages for the child's overall development seem to result from it.

The pros (and cons…)

The advantages of baby-led weaning (BLW) lie largely in the multiple learning experiences your baby will have, both in terms of motor skills and their experience with food. Indeed, at the very beginning, your baby may not be inclined to eat the food, but rather to play with it. Manipulating the food provides an extremely enriching sensory and motor experience. But you quickly see the downside: the mess! Since parents don't control the amount of food they eat by spooning it into their mouth, it's perfectly normal for bits to end up all over the baby… and the floor! On the other hand, because your little one is able to control their food intake, they learn to eat until they are satisfied, another great benefit for their long-term health.

The advantages of DME The disadvantages of DME
Baby discovers and explores food in its actual form, suggesting that he will be less picky later on Letting babies explore food causes a lot of mess (you need to be well-equipped... and have plenty of patience!)

He learns to manage the amount of food he needs himself. Because parents are less accustomed to this method, there is often greater stress and fears related to choking at the beginning (see section "The issue of choking" further on)

He explores various textures and gets used to them, which suggests that he will be more open to discovering new things later on. We may be tempted to offer more processed foods to babies (for example, at a restaurant on the road…) when these should be as “natural” as possible or entirely prepared at home.

He is learning to develop his fine motor skills This is a method that may be contraindicated in certain contexts (e.g., premature baby) and for which one must have the support of a pediatric nutritionist if one wishes to practice it.

Parents don't need to spoon-feed the baby (a little respite!)

Baby is more independent, and mealtimes are more relaxed

Get well informed… and get equipped!

You've made your decision: you want to start baby-led weaning! Like any good parent, you want to know everything to apply this method perfectly. But first and foremost, make sure your baby shows all the signs of being ready to eat solid foods (can sit upright at a 90-degree angle, shake their head "no," bring food to their mouth, etc.). Then, just like with purees, get a comfortable high chair with a large tray where your baby can handle their food.

Every parent has a different tolerance for mess… Some prefer to let the baby play and give the floor a good mopping after meals. Others prefer to use a large plastic tablecloth that's easy to clean by hand or in the washing machine to avoid having to clean up. There are also… washable fabric trays that attach to an apron For baby. It's the ultimate method to avoid staining your little one's clothes. Or perhaps you're the "let go" type? Baby in a diaper on their high chair, then, bam, into the bath for a clean-up. In any case, there's no magic equipment when you want to start baby-led weaning (BLW). On the market, you'll find all sorts of useful and interesting utensils to help baby develop their independence, like miniature silicone cups or easy-to-handle spoons. But even with the basics and without spending too much (a plastic plate, baby utensils, and a cup), you can succeed!

The first steps towards food self-sufficiency

Once you're well-equipped and informed about baby-led weaning, you're ready to introduce solid foods. Here are some food ideas to offer your baby based on their age and development.

*Please ensure that you follow the correct procedure for introducing allergens (see our guide on this subject).

Around 6 months

The baby takes large pieces of soft food in their hands. The food may be in the shape of sticks, usually longer than your little finger.

 – Slice of ripe avocado

– Banana rolled in iron-rich baby cereal (the cereal makes it easier to grasp)

– Well-cooked chicken drumstick, on the bone (be careful to remove any small bones)

– Strips of omelet cooked with a little milk to soften the egg

– Meatballs cooked with cooking juices

– Pre-filled spoonful of plain oatmeal with peanut butter, prepared by the parent

– Steamed or roasted broccoli, very soft

– Soft cookies or homemade waffles

– A large, ripe peach, without the skin

– Silken tofu cubes

Around 7-8 months

Baby is progressing and starting to eat slightly smaller foods. Sometimes they have teeth that allow them to bite/chew better. They can handle more complex textures.

 – Homemade fish cake

– Long pasta (e.g., well-cooked penne) with salt-free tomato sauce

– Strip of whole-grain toast with mashed avocado spread

– Rice cake with homemade hummus

Around 9-12 months

Baby is starting to use the "pincer" grip, and picks up small pieces of food between his thumb and forefinger. He is eating more and more like his parents.

 – Steamed green peas or corn kernels

– Canned legumes, without salt

– Homemade macaroni and cheese

– Vegetarian chili that he can eat with a spoon

– Homemade crepe cut into pieces with homemade sugar-free strawberry coulis

The issue of suffocation

Contrary to popular belief, babies who practice baby-led weaning (BLW) are not at greater risk of choking (of course, it's essential to supervise them at all times and offer age-appropriate foods). At the very beginning of the process, you'll notice that your baby will easily trigger a gag reflex (also called the "gag reflex") when food is in their mouth. This may surprise the parent, but it's perfectly normal and beneficial for the baby. This reflex teaches them to chew their food thoroughly before swallowing it whole! It also helps prevent choking. A baby who gags while feeding is therefore learning to eat safely. Even adults have a gag reflex! However, as we age, the area in the mouth that triggers this reflex moves further and further back. That is why the manifestation of this reflex will diminish in your baby as he/she grows up.

To reduce your anxiety and ensure you can respond appropriately, we strongly suggest you update your knowledge with a first aid course. Whether or not you practice baby-led weaning, it will be just as useful!

Good to know

Hard, round and sticky foods are unsuitable for babies (e.g. whole cherry tomatoes, popcorn).

Do not put your finger or food into your baby's mouth, as this could push the food to the back of their throat.

If your baby is choking, they won't make any sound and will quickly turn blue. On the other hand, the gag reflex is noisy (the baby coughs) and proves that your baby is handling the situation well.

Several factors in a baby's environment can cause choking, regardless of the feeding method: poor positioning, distraction (e.g., watching TV while eating), difficulty chewing due to a motor disorder…

Before offering food to your baby, put it in your mouth and try to mash it between your palate and tongue to see if the texture is suitable. If it mashes easily, it's fine!

Independent with purees?

Can you offer purees to your baby while still following the principles of baby-led weaning (BLW)? The answer is: yes! It's important to continue introducing whole foods so your little one can continue to explore different textures, but it's just as crucial to offer foods with a puree-like texture (after all, it's a texture like any other!). When your baby eats purees, you also need to respect the concept of food autonomy: they control when the puree enters their mouth, not you! You can absolutely offer meat puree by filling a spoon yourself and placing it on your baby's tray. Alternatively, you can use other foods as carriers (e.g., steamed broccoli dipped in lamb puree, a sweet potato fry dipped in turkey puree, etc.). There is no problem introducing purees into baby-led weaning; on the contrary, purees are part of discovering food textures! They are similar to a smooth soup or yogurt, for example.

Other ideas for offering purees during baby-led weaning:

  • Mango puree can be used as a coulis on homemade pancakes;
  • Toast can be spread with pork puree and sprinkled with hemp seeds;
  • Veal puree can be mixed with cooked pasta and diced tomatoes without added salt to make a sauce;
  • Or simply like that, in a spoon placed on the tray that baby can handle himself!

Caution: some precautions

While some parents are inclined to offer solid foods around 4 months, it's essential to wait until 6 months to begin baby-led weaning. In other words, the baby must be able to sit upright and hold their head up. They should be able to grasp a large piece of food in their hand and bring it to their mouth. And as with the regular introduction of solid foods, iron-rich foods should be prioritized. Finally, even if it's tempting because you're excited to see them try something new, you must absolutely avoid putting food in your baby's mouth. They should be in charge and lead! Baby-led weaning (BLW) may be contraindicated for some babies, particularly those born prematurely or those with a tongue-tie. In any case, it's best to consult a pediatric nutritionist before adopting this method.

Reliable resources