How to Start Baby-Led Weaning
Starting solids is such a significant milestone—and honestly, it can feel just as exciting as it is nerve-wracking. If you’ve been wondering how to start baby-led weaning, you’re not alone. Baby-led weaning (or BLW for short) is all about letting your little one feed themselves right from the start.
Instead of spoon-feeding purees, babies explore soft, safe finger foods at their own pace. It’s a hands-on way for them to join in on family meals, build confidence, and learn to love a variety of new foods. However, knowing when to begin—and how to make it safe—can feel like a daunting task.
That’s where I come in! In this post, I’ll walk you through when baby-led weaning might be right for your child, how to start safely, and simple parenting tips to help you both enjoy the journey.
Let’s make this new chapter feel a little less overwhelming—and a lot more fun.
What Is Baby-Led Weaning?
Baby-led weaning is a method of introducing solid foods that allows babies to feed themselves from the very beginning. Instead of being spoon-fed baby food, your little one gets easy-to-grasp, soft foods they can explore on their own. It’s all about letting your baby take the lead—eating at their own pace, learning through touch, taste, and play.
This approach differs from traditional weaning, where parents typically begin with spoon-feeding smooth purees and gradually transition to thicker textures and finger foods. With baby-led weaning, babies jump straight to age-appropriate whole foods they can pick up and bring to their mouths on their own.
Research shows there are some great benefits to this method:
- It helps build fine motor skills like grasping and hand-eye coordination.
- It may lower the chances of picky eating later by giving babies a chance to try a wide variety of foods early on.
- And it makes mealtimes a shared family experience—everyone eats together, which helps babies learn by watching you.
It’s a simple, natural way to start solids that can be fun for both you and your baby!
When Can You Start Baby-Led Weaning?
Many parents wonder, “When should I start baby-led weaning?” While the general guideline is around six months of age, it’s essential to focus on your baby’s developmental readiness rather than just the calendar date.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends introducing solid foods when your baby is about 6 months old, ensuring they are developmentally ready. Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends introducing complementary foods at 6 months, in conjunction with continued breastfeeding.
Here’s what to look for:
- Baby can sit up without help, keeping their back straight.
- Good head and neck control—they can turn and hold their head steady.
- Loss of the tongue-thrust reflex, which means they’re no longer automatically pushing food out with their tongue.
- Shows interest in food—maybe grabbing at your plate or watching you eat closely.
It’s crucial not to rush this process. Introducing solids before your baby is developmentally ready can increase the risk of choking and may not provide the intended nutritional benefits. Watching for these readiness signs helps make your baby’s solid starts safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
How to Start Baby-Led Weaning
Starting baby-led weaning doesn’t have to be complicated—promise! Once your baby shows all the signs of readiness, the next step is to offer soft, safe foods that they can pick up and explore with their hands. Consider simple finger foods, such as steamed carrot sticks, slices of ripe avocado, roasted sweet potatoes, or soft ripe fruits like banana or pear. These are soft enough for little gums to mash and shaped in a way that’s easy for small hands to hold.
When prepping foods, safety comes first:
- Cut food into long, finger-sized pieces (about the size and shape of an adult pinky), and as your baby gets more skilled, you can gradually offer smaller pieces to encourage chewing and fine motor skills.
- Skip salty foods and sugar—babies don’t need either at this stage.
- Stay away from hard, crunchy foods (like raw apples or whole nuts) until you’re older and can chew confidently.
One of the best parts of baby-led weaning? Eating together! Serve baby-friendly versions of what the rest of the family is having. It makes mealtimes more relaxed and helps your baby learn by watching you eat.
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With just a little planning, you can transform everyday meals into a safe and hands-on learning experience that your baby will love.
Managing Choking vs. Gagging
One of the biggest worries parents have with baby-led weaning is, “What if my baby chokes?” It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous—but let’s talk about the difference between gagging and choking, and why one of them is actually a healthy part of learning.
First, a little reassurance: Gagging is totally normal. It’s how babies learn to manage food in their mouths and protect their airway. It might look dramatic—coughing, red face, even watery eyes—but your baby is handling it. Over time, as they practice, gagging happens less often.
Choking, on the other hand, is silent and serious. If your baby is choking, they won’t be able to cough or make noise, and their lips might turn blue. That’s why knowing the difference is so important.
Here are a few ways to help keep things safe:
- Always stay close while your baby is eating—never leave them unattended at mealtime.
- Take a baby CPR course or review a simple guide online so you feel confident and prepared, just in case.
Learning to chew and move food safely in their mouth is an important skill, and gagging is one way babies practice and improve it. With supervision, safe food choices, and a little practice, baby-led weaning can be both fun and safe for your little one.
Tools That Make BLW Easier
You don’t need fancy gear to start baby-led weaning, but having a few helpful tools on hand can make things a lot smoother—for both you and your baby. These simple tools can help set you up for success with the best baby-led feeding experience.
- A sturdy high chair is a must. Look for one that lets your baby sit upright with good back and foot support. Proper posture helps them focus on eating and reduces the risk of choking.
- Silicone bibs with a food-catching pocket are lifesavers. They’re easy to wipe clean and help catch the mess before it hits the floor.
- Suction plates or bowls keep the food in place (instead of flipped onto the floor), and baby-sized utensils can be fun for babies to explore, even if they’re not quite using them yet.
- A mess mat under the high chair can save your floors and your sanity—just shake it out or toss it in the wash after meals.
- If you’re thinking ahead, try introducing an open cup or a straw cup with meals. It’s a great time to help your baby practice drinking skills!
Having the proper setup helps create a calm, inviting space where your baby can focus on learning to eat, and you can enjoy watching them explore.
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Encouraging a Positive Relationship with Food
One of the best parts of baby-led weaning is that it helps your baby build a healthy, happy relationship with food right from the start. The goal isn’t just eating—it’s learning and exploring.
Watch for your baby’s hunger cues, like reaching for food or opening their mouth, and let them guide how much they eat at each meal.
Let your baby lead the way. Try not to worry too much about the amount of food your baby eats—some days will be light, and that’s perfectly normal. Trust that they know when they’re full.
Offer a variety of foods, but keep it low-pressure. It’s not about making them like everything—it’s about giving them the chance to try. A colorful plate with different textures keeps things fun and interesting.
And yes—embrace the mess! Squishing, smearing, and dropping food is part of how babies learn. Try to enjoy it (or at least laugh through it!).
Finally, eat together when you can. Sharing meals as a whole family helps your baby feel included and builds positive associations with food.
FAQs About How to Start Baby-Led Weaning
That’s normal in the beginning! Initially, baby-led weaning is more about exploration than eating. Most of their nutrition still comes from breast milk or infant formula during the first year. It may take time for your baby to swallow much food, and that’s okay! Just keep offering meals and let them move at their own pace.
Yes, you can! Some families use a blended approach, and that’s perfectly fine. You can offer finger foods for baby-led feeding and also let your baby try puréed food on a preloaded spoon they can bring to their mouth. It’s still baby-led as long as your baby is in control of what goes in and how much.
As long as you’re offering a variety of iron-rich foods and continuing breast milk or formula, your baby is likely getting what they need. After the 6-month mark, iron becomes especially important, so include foods like soft-cooked meats, beans, lentils, and iron-fortified cereals. If you have concerns, your pediatrician can help ensure your baby is on track.
Always remember: every baby is different, and mealtimes are a learning process. Keep it low-pressure, offer nutritious options, and trust your little one to lead the way.
If you’re unsure about how to balance your baby’s diet, talk with your pediatrician—they can help you make sure your little one is getting the nutrients they need.
Starting solids with baby-led weaning can feel like a big step—but you’ve got this! Just remember: it’s not about rushing. Look for the readiness signs, keep safety in mind, and go at your baby’s pace. Offer soft, safe foods, sit down together at meals, and let your little one take the lead.
Some days will be messy. Some days your baby might not eat much at all. And that’s all part of the process. What matters most is creating a calm, encouraging space where your baby can explore and learn to enjoy food.
So take a deep breath, follow your baby’s cues, and try to soak in the fun moments along the way.
Every bite is a little step toward independence—and you’re right there cheering them on.
Tara is a homeschool mom and the voice behind Those Little Steps. She writes gentle, honest guides to help new moms feel supported, not overwhelmed, as they embark on their pregnancy and motherhood journeys.