Adventures in Baby Led Weaning

Because of my gluten intolerance, we're being very intentional about what foods we offer to our little boy as he starts on solids. We don't know if he's intolerant to gluten or not, but we definitely don't want to find out at this tender young age.

Beginning a few months ago, we did lots of research on the different theories for starting babies on solid food. Like anything else having to do with childrearing, the perspectives vary widely, and are often held with an all-or-nothing attitude.

After reading and praying and thinking and talking to friends and fellow parents, when our little guy was of age (six months! where did the time GO?!?!) we decided to try baby led weaning.

What's that, you ask?

It's a simple approach to starting solid foods that says, "No more canned, tinned, jarred pureés!" Instead it's a method of starting babies on nutritions whole foods so that they can participate in meals with everyone else from a young age.

BLW is purported to help with everything from combating toddler food fussies and childhood obesity to assisting with complete nutrition. It's a way of giving a little guy or gal the choice about what to eat and how to eat it.

It's also über messy. Über.

So starting a few days before his six month birthday, we gave our son slices of ripe avocado, mushy sweet potato cubes, steamed carrots, and other healthy fruits and veggies in softened forms.

We'd put them on his tray and he'd go at them as he wished. If he ate them, great. If not, great.

Part of the philosophy behind Baby Led Weaning is that, for a baby's first year of life, solid food is for fun. Breast milk (or formula) is primary, and should always be offered first. After that, any nutritious, whole foods could be offered in softened forms (except for obviously dangerous ones like honey, nuts, cow's milk, etc.).

For more information, check out Baby Led Weaning, A Healthy Slice of Life, and this totally hilarious You Tube video. (And no, we do not plan to give our 6-month old whole chicken legs.)

But here's the thing. Our little guy is intense. Like, shove-the-whole-slice-of-avocado-in-my-mouth-and-then-throw-up intense.

So we decided to use a modified approach and temper the BLW strategy a bit. As with most things kid-related, we're quickly learning that our kid is unique, and no one approach will fit him perfectly.

Here's our modified BLW strategy. First, we use a feeder. These are available here (there's also a large size for bigger kids), and we love, love, love ours.

We put mushed fruits and veggies in it, and our boy happily sucks them through the holes. He can also feed himself, which he loves (he will NOT open his mouth for a spoon from us!).

This little gizmo is a lifesaver. He can operate it easily, and when he isn't tossing it on the floor, we are all happy.

Secondly, we offer whole foods for teething, but small pieces for eating. Nothing helps teething like a giant, cold carrot to gnaw on! But nothing is easier and safer for him to eat than tiny pieces of blueberry or avocado as finger food.

Third, we give our son a spoon with mashed whole foods so that he can feed himself. He loves this. He won't take a single bite off of a spoon if we are holding it, but if we put some mashed sweet potato on one end and hand it to him, he pops it right in his mouth.

Finally, we've introduced a few processed foods, but only those that are organic and fruit or veggie based. These dissolvable puffs are great for him to use for practicing his pincer grasp, but they don't stick in his throat or make him choke. They're also pretty healthy and sweetened only with apple juice.

(Do you notice that gluten free label? Yaaaay!!!)

What approach do you use to feed your little one?