theIndusParent Logo
theIndusParent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Fertility & Conception
    • First Trimester
    • Second Trimester
    • Third Trimester
    • Labour & Delivery
    • Post-delivery Care
    • Miscarriage
    • 9 Months
  • Baby
    • Development
    • Breastfeeding
    • Weaning
    • Health
    • Behaviour
    • Gear & Wear
    • Baby Names
    • Nine Months-0 to 1
  • Toddler
    • Development
    • Health
    • Behaviour
    • Life Skills
    • Trendy Wear
    • 9 Months Season 3: Toddler Years
  • Pre-teen
    • Development
    • Health
    • Education
    • Behaviour
    • Lifeskills
    • Fashion
  • Mums
    • Awesome Working Mums
    • Celeb Mums
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Sex
    • Labour Story
  • Health
    • Nutrition
    • Fitness
    • Home Remedies
    • Chakra Healing
    • Experts' Corner
  • Family & Leisure
    • Relationships
    • For Dads
    • Essential Life Tips
    • Money
    • Recipes
    • Celebrations
    • Travel
    • Vastu
    • Astrology
    • Baby Photos
    • Video
    • Events & Workshops
    • Review
    • Contest
  • हिंदी
  • தமிழ்
  • বাংলা
  • Video

Baby-Led Weaning: Should you let your baby feed themselves?

3 min read
Baby-Led Weaning: Should you let your baby feed themselves?Baby-Led Weaning: Should you let your baby feed themselves?

Should you skip spoon-feeding and let your baby feed themselves?

Baby-Led Weaning is a method that started in the UK that “lets your child feed themselves from the very start of weaning.” (Weaning here means adding solid foods to complement the baby’s primary diet of breastmilk or formula.)

It entails introducing your baby to solids by your child soft-cooked foods cut or mashed into small pieces and allowing them to “self-feed” instead of spoon-feeding.

baby led weaning

Photo: Dreamstime

According to the Baby-Led Weaning website, most babies reach for food at around six months, which is around the time that mothers are encouraged to start weaning.

Benefits of Baby-Led Weaning

  • it facilitates the development of oral motor control
  • it makes eating a positive and interactive experience
  • it strengthens self-regulation
  • it increases exposure to table food
  • it helps kids become more adventurous eaters later in life

It’s not for everyone, though. Though it works for some babies, it does not work for all—especially those born prematurely, babies with oral motor delays, or those who aren’t interested in self-feeding.

For tips on Baby-Led Weaning, click to the next page.

Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Make sure your baby is ready for solids.

Before you give your baby her first solid meal, she should meet the following criteria:

  • your baby must be at least six months old
  • your baby must be able to stay in a sitting position and hold her head steady
  • your baby should be able to coordinate their eyes, hands, and mouth

2. Do your research.

Read up on other parents’ experiences with Baby-Led Weaning so you’ll know what to prepare for, and if Baby-Led Weaning is right for you and your baby.

baby led weaning

Photo: Fotolia

3. Skip “baby food.”

So long as you’re not adding salt or sugar, soft-cooked whole foods should be good for your baby. Start with a size that would be easy to grip. Most people steam carrots or cut up cucumbers, but you can also serve your baby a pile of spaghetti or mashed potato.

4. No bowls.

It’ll just end up on the floor. Serve the food on the highchair tray and remember that this is a learning experience for your baby. Which leads to the next item…

5. Anticipate mess.

Lots of it.

Partner Stories
3 Baby Skin Facts Every Parent Should Know
3 Baby Skin Facts Every Parent Should Know
5 Skincare Habits To Keep Your Child's Skin Healthy
5 Skincare Habits To Keep Your Child's Skin Healthy
5 Things To Check When Choosing A Baby Skincare Product
5 Things To Check When Choosing A Baby Skincare Product
THESE 5 Situations Demand Extra Security For Your Kids
THESE 5 Situations Demand Extra Security For Your Kids

6. Enjoy it.

Take out your camera and capture these lovely, messy moments. This will be over before you know it, so savor every moment.

READ: New study: Avocados are the best first food for babies

Please leave your comments in the box below. Check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful parenting tips. Don’t forget to take our readership survey to help us serve you better. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ and Twitter to stay up-to-date on the latest from theIndusparent.com!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Cristina Morales

  • Home
  • /
  • Weaning
  • /
  • Baby-Led Weaning: Should you let your baby feed themselves?
Share:
  • 7-Year-Old Girl 'Gang-Raped' On Roblox Highlights Need For Increased Parental Scrutiny

    7-Year-Old Girl 'Gang-Raped' On Roblox Highlights Need For Increased Parental Scrutiny

  • Can Babies Choke On Vomit While Sleeping? Read This Now

    Can Babies Choke On Vomit While Sleeping? Read This Now

  • Essential Oil Use for Children: A Safety Guide for Parents

    Essential Oil Use for Children: A Safety Guide for Parents

app info
get app banner
  • 7-Year-Old Girl 'Gang-Raped' On Roblox Highlights Need For Increased Parental Scrutiny

    7-Year-Old Girl 'Gang-Raped' On Roblox Highlights Need For Increased Parental Scrutiny

  • Can Babies Choke On Vomit While Sleeping? Read This Now

    Can Babies Choke On Vomit While Sleeping? Read This Now

  • Essential Oil Use for Children: A Safety Guide for Parents

    Essential Oil Use for Children: A Safety Guide for Parents

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Ages + Stages
    • Baby
    • Baby Concerns
    • Baby Development
    • Baby Formula Feeding
    • Baby health
    • Baby Milestones
    • Breastfeeding
  • Family Life
    • Family & Leisure
    • Essential Tips
    • Family Fun
    • Events
    • For Dads
    • For Mum and Dad
  • Health & Wellness
    • India
    • International
    • Lifestyle
    • Kid's Entertainment
    • Indoor
    • Learning Activities
  • Toddler
    • Toddler Behaviour
    • Toddler Development
    • Toddler Discipline
    • Toddler Education
    • Toddler Health
    • Toddler Life Skills
  • Gallery
    • News
    • Celebrity
    • Features
    • Bollywood
    • Video
    • Marriage
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it