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Baby-Led Weaning
Baby-Led Weaning 101: How to Get Started
#blw
#getting started
#6 months
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an approach to starting solids that skips purees in favor of offering soft, appropriately-shaped whole foods your baby feeds to themselves from the very beginning.
When to start
Most guidance recommends starting around 6 months, once your baby can sit upright with minimal support, has lost the tongue-thrust reflex, and shows interest in food.
Setting up for success
- Use a supportive high chair with a footrest.
- Offer food cut into stick shapes for easy grasping.
- Always supervise, and never leave your baby alone while eating.
- Expect mess — a splash mat helps.
Gagging is normal
Gagging looks and sounds alarming but is a protective reflex that pushes food forward, away from the airway. Choking is silent and requires intervention. Learn to tell the difference in our gagging vs. choking guide.