Baby-Led Weaning: How It Works and How to Get Started
Baby-led weaning (BLW) skips purees and lets babies feed themselves soft finger foods from the start. Here's everything you need to know to do it safely.
What Is Baby-Led Weaning?
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an approach to introducing solids where babies self-feed soft, appropriately sized pieces of whole food rather than being spoon-fed purees. Developed by UK health visitor Gill Rapley, it's designed to respect the baby's natural developmental pace and hunger cues.
When to Start
The same readiness signs apply as for purees: around 6 months, able to sit up with minimal support, lost the tongue-thrust reflex, and showing interest in food. Never start before 6 months with BLW.
How to Prepare Food Safely
- Food should be soft enough to squish between your fingers
- Cut into strips or sticks about the size of your finger (easier for babies to grip)
- Avoid round shapes (grapes, cherry tomatoes) — cut them lengthwise
- No added salt, sugar, or honey in the first year
- Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods (raw apple, nuts, nut butter straight off a spoon)
Good First BLW Foods
Steamed broccoli florets, soft-cooked carrot sticks, ripe avocado slices, banana pieces, soft-cooked pasta, scrambled egg, toast fingers with hummus or mashed avocado.
Understanding the Gag Reflex
Gagging is normal and different from choking. Babies have a very sensitive gag reflex positioned far forward in the mouth — this is a safety mechanism. Gagging looks dramatic but usually resolves on its own. Choking is silent and requires immediate action. Always supervise meals and learn infant first aid before starting solids.
Combining BLW with Purees
Many families take a mixed approach, offering both finger foods and spoon-fed purees. This is perfectly fine and can make the transition easier while ensuring adequate iron intake.