Baby-led weaning (BLW) can be a difficult balancing act in finding the right foods. Avoiding the pitfalls and worrying about allergies can be a stressful business.
Once you start BLW, you don’t need to be quick with introducing solids. Instead, try starting only offering solids once a day and then increase this as your child shows they want or need more.
When it comes to what foods to give them, the firsts foods you choose should be along the lines of fresh fruit, soft, cooked vegetables and healthy carbohydrates and fats. If you can provide a selection, your little one should be naturally capable of choosing the foods that meet their needs.
On the flip side, some of the food types you should avoid include stimulants such as sugar or chocolate, unhealthy or processed food, any food with extra or added table salt or sugar and foods with higher choking risk such as grapes, popcorn, and nuts.
Foods to Try
- Avocados
- Sweet potato
- Pumpkin
- Soft, cooked carrots, apples, and beets
- Banana
Always remember when trying BLW, to always supervise your child and let them be the one to pick up and put the food in their mouths to avoid risks of choking and encourage independence.
Meal Ideas
- Apple fritters
- Avocado on toast fingers
- Cucumber and carrot sticks with hummus
- Roasted sweet potato, carrots, and parsnips
- Fruit salad
- Peanut butter on apple slices
- Pancakes with fruit
- Porridge or yoghurt with fruit
- Curried meat with rice
- Macaroni cheese
- Mini quiche
- Flapjacks
