Deciding which method of weaning to use for your infant is a serious decision. 

Before you make your choice, it’s important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of both baby-led weaning and traditional weaning techniques.

In this article, I’ll share some of the advantages and disadvantages of baby-led weaning to help you make the right choice. 

I’ll also share with you scientific evidence that supports baby-led weaning. 

Knowing some of the pros and cons of baby-led weaning will help you decide which one to use for your baby.

Before you continue reading, check out my ultimate guide to baby-led weaning to learn everything you need to know.

Let’s jump right in!

Key Takeaways

• Baby-led weaning is a method of feeding that emphasizes self-feeding and allows babies to explore and experiment with food at their own pace.
• Baby-led weaning can have several benefits for both babies and parents, including improved motor skills, increased exposure to a variety of healthy foods, and a reduced risk of overeating later in life.
• Baby-led weaning can be a more convenient and cost-effective method of feeding, as it eliminates the need for special baby food and feeding equipment.

You may also like: Comparing the differences between baby-led weaning and traditional weaning: Which is right for you?

A Quick Summary of Baby-Led Weaning

Baby-led weaning is a feeding method that emphasizes self-feeding and allows babies to explore and experiment with food at their own pace. 

The method involves offering a variety of healthy foods in their natural form, such as soft fruits and vegetables, to your baby. 

Rather than being spoon-fed, your baby is encouraged to pick up and eat the food themselves, using their hands or utensils. 

Baby-led weaning is based on the idea that babies are capable of feeding themselves and have an innate ability to regulate their own appetite.

With BLW, you introduce solid foods to your baby when they are ready, usually around six months of age. 

This is the time when your baby’s digestive system is more mature and they are able to sit up and hold their head steady.

You offer your baby a variety of healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and proteins, and let them choose what they want to eat.

To get a complete breakdown of this feeding method, make sure you read my ultimate guide on everything you need to know about baby-led weaning.

Let’s talk about some of the benefits of baby-led weaning

What Are The Benefits of Baby-Led Weaning?

Research has shown that baby-led weaning can have several benefits for both babies and parents. 

Some of the benefits include improved motor skills, increased exposure to a variety of healthy foods, and a reduced risk of overeating later in life. 

Additionally, baby-led weaning can be a more convenient and cost-effective method of feeding, as it eliminates the need for special baby food and feeding equipment.

You may also like: Ultimate guide to baby-led weaning first foods + recipes

Let’s take a look at each benefit in detail. 

BLW Promotes Healthy Eating Habits

One benefit of baby-led weaning is that it allows babies to explore different textures, flavors, and food colors. 

This exposure to a variety of foods at an early age can help promote healthy eating habits later on in life. 

According to a study published in the Italian Journal of Pediatrics, children who were introduced to a variety of fruits and vegetables before 12 months of age were more likely to be less picky later on in life.

The study also found that babies who were weaned using BLW had better hunger-satiation control than those who were weaned traditionally. 

The traditionally weaned babies had a higher overweight range in their toddler years (18-24 months) compared to babies who were weaned using BLW.

Baby-led Weaning Encourages Motor Skill Development

Another advantage of baby-led weaning is that it encourages babies to use their hands and fingers to grasp and pick up food, which helps develop their fine motor skills. 

Additionally, allowing babies to self-feed can help develop their oral motor skills, as they learn to chew and swallow different textures of food.

BLW Fosters Independence and a positive relationship with food

Another great advantage of Baby-led weaning is that it allows babies to take control of their own feeding, which can help foster independence and a positive relationship with food.

Imagine how powerless you would feel if you were not able to feed yourself. 

Now imagine that you were being spoon-fed. Because you couldn’t voice that you were full, you ended up being overfed to the point that it hurt.

That’s often what happens when babies are spoon-fed purees. 

The parent is more concerned about the baby finishing the food they prepared, rather than giving the baby the power to decide if they even want to eat that food at all.

Baby-led weaning gives babies the power to decide what they want to eat from their plate, and how much of it they want to eat.

That’s really the first taste of independence your baby will get in their young life. 

As babies learn to feed themselves, they become more aware of their hunger and fullness cues, which can help prevent overeating.

And we know that studies have shown that overeating is one of the biggest contributors to childhood obesity.

Baby-led weaning cost less than traditional weaning

It’s been proven that baby-led weaning costs less than traditional weaning methods (source). This is one of its best advantages. 

When you do baby-led weaning, you’re feeding your child the same food that the rest of the family is eating.

This means that you don’t have to spend money buying jars of food or making purée from scratch.

Making purée can be time-consuming and sometimes requires extra equipment like a blender, baby food maker, and baby food storage containers.

All these will cost you more money, time, and energy in the long term.

Food in jars may have preservatives and other undesirable ingredients 

Another benefit of baby-led weaning is that you know exactly what’s in your baby’s food. 

Some baby foods have been know to contain preservatives and toxins.

I’m sure you’ve heard about the high levels of arsenic, lead, and cadmium found in some baby food.

When you do baby-led weaning, you won’t have to worry whether your baby is consuming preservatives or other undesirable substances.

That’s because you know exactly what’s on your baby’s plate.

BLW encourages families to eat healthier 

When doing baby-led weaning, you’re more conscious of how much sugar and salt is in the food you cook. 

That’s a big advantage of BLW.

Knowing that your baby will be eating the same meal will force you to cook healthier meals.

To make sure that your baby gets a balanced diet every day, they need to consume a variety of foods rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

So parents who do baby-led weaning are very conscious of this fact. 

Since your baby will eat the same meal as the whole family. You’ll be forced to cook healthier meals for everyone.

Baby-led Weaning Can Build family bonds

One thing parents are encouraged to do when doing baby-led weaning is to eat together as a family.

Eating together serves many purposes for your baby.

It encourages them to try the food on their plate since everyone is eating it too. It teaches them how to chew correctly by watching their family members eat.

It also helps you keep an eye on them in case of any choking incident. When you do BLW, you’ll build a lifelong habit of eating together as a family. 

Challenges of Baby-Led Weaning

Baby-led weaning may have a lot of benefits but it is not without its challenges. 

Here are some of the disadvantages you may face when introducing solid foods to your baby using the baby-led weaning method:

BLW Comes with the Risk of Choking

One of the biggest concerns with baby-led weaning is the risk of choking. 

Since babies are given whole foods, they may not be able to chew and swallow properly, which can lead to choking. 

It is important to supervise your baby closely during mealtime and to cut food into appropriate pieces to reduce the risk of choking.

It’s also important to learn the signs of choking in infants and get certified in infant CPR to be ready if choking occurs.

Baby-led Weaning Involves Messy Mealtime

Another disadvantage of Baby-led weaning is the amount of mess it creates. Since babies are given whole foods, they may smear, throw, or drop food, which can create a mess. 

It is important to prepare for the mess by using a bib and a high chair with an easy-to-clean surface.

I asked a group of 25 moms what their biggest challenge was with baby-led weaning. Most of them agreed that the mess created was their biggest challenge.

Here’s what some of them said.

Sarah said:

The mess gives me so much anxiety. If it’s going to be anything with sauce we strip him down to a diaper. He doesn’t even like anything messy yet so it’s mess with no progress.

We’re also picky eaters so we just don’t buy a lot of the things he should probably be trying. Thank goodness there’s kale and spinach and quinoa in pouch purées

Sarah

Amy also referred to the mess when explaining her issues with BLW. She said 

The mess!!! By the time I finish cleaning up from breakfast it’s time to get messy again for lunch, then dinner. Especially if he throws a bowl on the floor.

Amy

Elizabeth had the same sentiments. She said:

One disadvantage of BLW is definitely the mess. I have to make sure I am mentally prepared to deal with it before I give her something to feed herself.

Elizabeth

BLW Can Have Some Nutritional Concerns

Another challenge of baby-led weaning is ensuring that your baby is getting all the necessary nutrients. 

Since babies are given whole foods, they may not consume enough of certain nutrients, such as iron and zinc. 

Daniella, a parent I spoke to in my interview had this to say about the nutritional struggles of baby-led weaning.

“One of the cons of BLW is the pressure to offer balanced, nutrient-focused meals when they aren’t actually eating anything. I often wonder if there should be a focus on what textures you offer more than nutrients in the early stages“

Daniella

If you’re a parent who is a picky eater yourself, you’ll have a hard time with baby-led weaning. 

Making sure that every meal is a balanced diet can be hard work. 

That’s the sentiment expressed by one parent, Jennifer when she said, “My diet is mostly ramen noodles and coffee… my baby can’t eat that so I have to think harder for meals to make”.

Another parent agreed when she said, “I have an eating disorder which makes my diet worse than a toddler in terms of pickiness. Giving foods I wouldn’t even buy nevertheless eat is so challenging for me but I am working on it”.

The challenge of providing nutritious meals is why doctors recommend that you give your baby a daily multivitamin supplement with iron and zinc in it. 

This is especially true for breastfed babies because the amount of vitamin D in breast milk decreases after your baby reaches 6 months. 

It is important to offer a variety of nutritious foods to help your baby get these nutrients. 

Make sure you consult with a healthcare provider to ensure that your baby is getting all the necessary nutrients for their age. 

Baby-led Weaning Comes With Frustration

Baby-led weaning can be frustrating for both you and your baby. That’s one of its biggest disadvantages.

Imagine spending an hour preparing a nutritious meal for your baby, just to have them throw all the food on the floor without eating a thing.

That’s the kind of frustration you’ll get often when doing baby-led weaning. 

Since babies are given whole foods, they may not be able to feed themselves effectively, which can lead to messes. 

And with mess comes frustration.

Some parents actually quit baby-led weaning because of how frustrating it can be.

Because your baby is still learning, it is important to be patient and to offer support and encouragement during mealtime.

Know that as they get older and gain more experience with food, they will become better eaters.

Both my kids who did BLW are great eaters. My youngest hated being spoon-fed. If he couldn’t grab something himself, he’d refuse to eat it. 

BLW doesn’t reduce picky eating 

If you’re doing baby-led weaning because you think it’ll make your baby less of a picky eater, then you’ll be disappointed.

The research has shown that there is no difference in picky eating later on for babies who did BLW and those who were weaned traditionally.

Overall, baby-led weaning can be a safe and effective way to introduce solid foods to your baby. 

However, it is important to be aware of the challenges and to take steps to address them. 

By supervising your baby closely, preparing for the mess, ensuring adequate nutrition, and being patient, you can help your baby transition to solid foods using the baby-led weaning method.

Kids Doing BLW Tend To Eat More Salt

Studies have shown that kids who are weaned with BLW tend to eat more sodium in their diet.

This is because they’re being fed the same foods as adults, and most adults consume salt in their diets.

So the challenge faced by parents who are doing BLW is making family meals that don’t include sugar or salt.

My sure you check out my recipes for healthy baby-led weaning breakfast ideas, baby-led weaning lunch ideas, and baby-led weaning dinner ideas.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Baby-Led Weaning

Baby-led weaning is an alternative approach to introducing solid foods to infants. 

Rather than spoon-feeding specially prepared infant foods, baby-led weaning promotes self-feeding from six months of age. 

Over the last 10-15 years, this approach has gained popularity.

An integrative literature review was conducted to identify the risks and benefits of baby-led weaning. 

The review found that the baby-led weaning method was significantly associated with the baby’s satiety, the start of complementary feeding, and adequacy of weight gain.

However, it is important to note that choking and the intake of micronutrients were negatively associated with baby-led weaning. 

Despite this, there were no statistical differences between babies who were weaned using BLW and those weaned traditionally.

A systematic review of the literature also found that baby-led weaning may have some benefits over traditional spoon-feeding. 

Infants who were introduced to solid foods through baby-led weaning had a higher intake of energy, while those who were weaned traditionally had a higher intake of sugar.

They also had a lower risk of becoming overweight when weaned using the BLW method.

Overall, the scientific evidence supporting baby-led weaning is promising. 

However, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting this method. This is especially important for infants with a history of allergies or feeding difficulties.

Source

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5934812/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7722414/

https://library.ndsu.edu/ir/bitstream/handle/10365/32691/Does%20Mom%20Know%20Best

Does Mom Know Best The Influence of Baby-led Weaning on Picky Eating

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5438437/

Difference Between Traditional Weaning and Baby-Led Weaning

Traditional weaning involves spoon-feeding your baby purees and gradually introducing more solid foods as they grow older. 

This method allows you to control what your baby eats and how much they eat. However, it can be time-consuming and requires special equipment to make the purée.

Baby-led weaning, on the other hand, allows your baby to take control of their own eating habits. 

This method promotes self-feeding and encourages your baby to explore new tastes and textures at their own pace. 

It also helps your baby develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

While baby-led weaning may seem messy and chaotic at first, it can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your baby. 

It allows you to bond over mealtime and encourages a positive relationship with food.

Practical Tips for Baby-Led Weaning

Choosing the Right Foods

When it comes to baby-led weaning, it’s important to choose the right foods for your little one. 

You want to offer a variety of healthy foods that are easy for your baby to pick up and eat on their own. 

Some great options include soft fruits and vegetables like bananas, avocados, and cooked sweet potatoes. 

You can also offer small pieces of soft meats like chicken or fish at the appropriate age.

It’s a good idea to introduce one new food at a time to make sure your baby doesn’t have any allergic reactions. 

My sure you check out my recipes for healthy baby-led weaning breakfast ideas, baby-led weaning lunch ideas, and baby-led weaning dinner ideas.

Ensuring Safety During Feeding

Safety is always a top concern when it comes to feeding your baby. 

With baby-led weaning, there are a few extra precautions you should take to ensure your baby stays safe during mealtimes.

First, make sure your baby is sitting upright in a high chair or booster seat. 

This will help prevent choking and make it easier for your baby to pick up and eat their food.

Next, avoid offering foods that are small and hard, like nuts or round grapes, as these can be choking hazards. 

It’s also important to cut up foods into appropriate sizes by age, to make them easier to chew.

Finally, always supervise your baby during mealtimes and be prepared to act quickly if your baby starts choking. 

Take a CPR class so you are prepared in case of an emergency.

Dealing with Mess

Baby-led weaning can be messy, but it’s important to let your baby explore and learn about different foods. 

To make cleanup easier, consider using a bib with a catch-all pocket to catch any dropped food. 

You can also put a plastic mat under your baby’s high chair to catch any spills.

It’s also a good idea to offer water or milk to your baby during mealtimes to help wash down any food that gets stuck in their mouth. 

And remember, it’s okay if your baby doesn’t eat much during a meal. As long as they are exploring and learning about different foods, they are making progress.

Continue to breastfeed or formula-feed your baby as usual during baby-led weaning. 

Milk should come before solids when your baby is between 6-9 months old. After that, you can switch to solids before milk. 

FAQs About Baby-led Weaning

What are the pros and cons of baby-led weaning?

Baby-led weaning has many benefits, including allowing babies to control their own feeding experience, promoting self-regulation of appetite, and encouraging the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 

However, it may also be messy and require more time and patience from parents. 

Additionally, some parents may worry about the potential for choking, although research has shown that the risk of choking is not significantly higher with baby-led weaning than with traditional spoon-feeding.

Is baby-led weaning developmentally appropriate?

Baby-led weaning is developmentally appropriate for most babies who are at least 6 months old and able to sit up on their own. It allows babies to explore different textures and flavors at their own pace, which can help promote healthy eating habits later in life.

What do pediatricians say about baby-led weaning?

Many pediatricians support baby-led weaning as a safe and effective way to introduce solid foods to babies. However, it is important to consult with your child’s doctor before starting any new feeding method.

How to start baby-led Weaning after purees?

If you have been feeding your baby purees and want to transition to baby-led weaning, start by offering soft, easy-to-grasp foods such as cooked vegetables, fruits, and pasta. 

Gradually introduce more challenging foods as your baby becomes more comfortable with self-feeding.

Baby-led weaning recipes?

There are many recipes available for baby-led weaning, including finger foods such as roasted sweet potato wedges, avocado slices, and soft-cooked eggs. 

It is important to ensure that any foods you offer are age-appropriate and cut into manageable pieces.

My sure you check out my recipes for healthy baby-led weaning breakfast ideas, baby-led weaning lunch ideas, and baby-led weaning dinner ideas.

Baby-led weaning starter foods?

Good starter foods for baby-led weaning include soft fruits such as banana and ripe pear, cooked vegetables such as sweet potato and broccoli, and soft, protein-rich foods such as scrambled eggs and tofu.

Remember to offer a variety of foods to ensure that your baby is getting all the nutrients they need.