Baby-Led Weaning: 7 FAQs Every Parent Has

Published on June 1, 2022 at 10:46:37 AM PDT June 1, 2022 at 10:46:37 AM PDTst, June 1, 2022 at 10:46:37 AM PDT

Baby-Led Weaning: 7 FAQs Every Parent Has

When your little one is around six months old, they'll typically be ready to start taking on solids in addition to continuing on with either breast- or bottle-feeding. For those who aren't yet aware, (and we totally get it by the way, considering the million and one new terms to learn when becoming a parent) this process is referred to as weaning.

There are a few different approaches when it comes to weaning these days, which include spoon-feeding, combo feeding, and baby-led weaning (BLW).

The method you decide to go with is of course totally up to you, and you may find yourself shifting from one to another because your baby isn't taking to the original weaning approach well. As with so many parenting situations, it's all about trial and error and there's no one-size-fits-all option out there!

Baby-led weaning is an increasingly popular way to help your baby through the transition from liquids only to solids, however it's important to understand that it may not work for every family and can be both fun and frustrating - even for babies who do take to it.

The key is to remember that fed is always best, and making an informed decision is much more important than following a particular current trend.

1. What is Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)?

More parents are embracing baby-led weaning as a more mindful weaning alternative to just incorporating commercial pureed foods into your weaning kit.

Instead of that age-old image of a parent putting purees into a spoon and making airplane noises from the plate to bub's mouth, BLW puts the little one in charge and is reliant on parents waiting for signs of their baby's cues such as readiness for solids and showing when they're full.

At meal times, your baby is brought to sit at the table with the family in their high chair. They're then presented with their own spoon or utensils, and bite-sized pieces of food which can be easily chewed and/or home-made mashes or porridges. BLW babies are encouraged to pick up food or use the spoon to eat themselves as they wish, as well as to touch and hand-feed so they can experience the different food textures.

There are some fantastic utensils, baby dining sets and other accessories available to make the transition as mess-free and smooth as possible, including:

Mothercare Flexi Tip Spoons: This five-pack of ergonomic, soft and flexible Mothercare weaning spoons have been approved for sterilisation methods so you can ensure they're completely free of harmful bacteria before every use, and are ideal for babies 4 months onwards.
Mothercare Easy Grip Spoon And Fork Set: An essential weaning kit comprising 2 Mothercare weaning forks and 2 spoons for bubs 9 months and up. These utensils have ergonomic, short handles which offer much greater control. They are also top-rack dishwasher and microwave-safe, and are suitable for approved sterilisation methods.
Tommee Tippee Heat Sensing Spoons: Don't ever burn your tongue testing the temperature of their food again with this three-pack of heat-sensing spoons! Suitable for babies 4 months and older, they change colour to alert you if food is still too hot. They also have anti-slip handles for better grip and are steriliser- and dishwasher-safe.
EZPZ First Foods Set: This fantastic baby dining set includes baby utensils plus a weaning bowl set complete with open cup to encourage independence when drinking. All pieces are made from tough silicone which is incredibly easy to clean - it's all even dishwasher-safe. The set comes in various colours and is suitable for little ones from 4-6 months old.
Beaba Silicone Meal Set: Comprising a silicone spoon, non-slip suction bottomed plate and bowl and a non-slip cup, each item in this baby dining set is specially designed to help guide with the scooping of food so more ends up in their tummy and less on the floor!

2. How do I know if my baby is ready for Baby-Led Weaning?

It is generally recommended that the age for starting to wean bub onto solid foods is from 6 months of age. However, there are certain things to look out for that will show you when they're ready, such as:

An improvement in their neck and head strength and control
Being able to sit upright with support
Showing an interest in foods (e.g. what's on your plate) and/or reaching out to get some for themselves
Opening their mouths if food is offered to them on a spoon

It's also important to keep in mind that babies don't actually need teeth before starting baby-led weaning. They're still able to grind and gum food without teeth, which exposes them to a range of different tastes and textures. This also familiarises them with different foods over time, so don't be worried if they reject simple foods like avocado or banana over time - with repeated exposure, they might eventually come to love these foods once they're ready.

And remember - every baby is different! Which means some may not be ready to take on solid foods until they're 7 or 8 months old. However, if there's a noticeable delay or you're concerned at all, make sure you speak with your paediatrician or GP in Singapore.

3. What are the benefits of Baby-Led Weaning?

BLW encourages parents to make their baby's food themselves, so you know exactly what goes into it, providing you with peace of mind that what they're eating is healthy (and most likely much more affordable).

By giving your baby a wider variety of different foods to try and test, baby-led weaning can also be a great way to avoid them growing into a picky eater in the future. As they're in control of what they eat, this can help to promote a healthier relationship with food while also encouraging and nurturing their independence.

Plus, with your baby handing their own baby utensils this is a great way for them to practice their movement and advance their motor and oral skill development, while also naturally focusing on fun to get babies engaged in their weaning journey and enjoying food.

Though it can get a little (or a lot) messy sometimes, as we all know mess comes with the territory of being a parent, doesn't it? Thankfully, there are plenty of feeding bibs and products like weaning bowl sets and baby dining sets that'll help minimise the spills.

4. Is Baby-Led Weaning safe for my baby?

Baby-led weaning is perfectly safe for babies as long as all of the necessary steps in the process are followed correctly:

Wait at least 1 hour after breastfeeding or bottle feeding before offering solids
Make sure you get a highchair with an upright seat and adjustable foot plate; baby's legs should rest on the footplate with their knees bent at 90 degrees. This ensures good core support and stability.
Baby should be sat still throughout the meal, which means no walking or feeding while they're in the car seat, stroller or any reclined seat.
Always monitor baby during feeding and stay alert for choking signs

Getting a supportive highchair is essential to ensuring your baby is safe and comfortable throughout BLW. Some options to check out include:

Tutti Bambini Nova Evolution High Chair: A high chair that ticks all of the aforementioned boxes including an upright seat and adjustable foot plate to keep them in the ideal eating position. The tray, recline, and footrest positions can all be adjusted across 7 modes so that the high chair grows with your child from 6 months to 12 years (15kg).
Stokke Tripp Trapp Baby Set: This high chair also offers an upright seat and adjustable foot plate, and is perfect for bubs from 6 months to 3 years of age.
Mothercare EPP High Chair: With a soft padded seat and supportive footrest, this high chair keeps baby comfortable and well-supported during meals. A 5-point harness helps ensure further security, as well as a croch post so your baby won't start sliding off their seat mid-meal!

It is also important to know the difference between gagging and choking; as BLW emphasises baby handling food on their own or self-feeding, it is natural for them to gag during the weaning process.

Gagging is a natural part of learning how to eat, and is a bodily reflex to protect the baby when they've eaten too much or too quickly. If bub begins to start coughing or gagging when they're eating, don't panic just yet. Allow them time to get through it by themselves, and it may even result in them vomiting up what they were gagging on. Gagging is a natural protective reflex and babies will almost always experience it at some point when they're weaning, even when they are older. It is important to let your baby regurgitate the food on their own, because trying to reach into their mouth may worsen the situation and even lead to choking.

However choking is the sign of an obstructed airway, and is an immediate safety threat to baby that needs to be resolved once you spot the signs. Signs of choking include:

Baby is unable to cry and may be wheezing or even silent
Difficulty breathing, skin may appear to be 'pulling' into chest
They have a terrified look on their face or are making frightened sounds
A change in skin colour to blue, purple or ashen

In the event of a choking emergency, knowing how to properly conduct infant CPR is absolutely vital. So if you're not yet aware of how to do this, ask your paediatrician or GP in Singapore to give you a lesson as soon as possible.

5. How can I safely prepare food for Baby-Led Weaning?

One of the key features of going with baby-led weaning is that your baby should be eating the same things their parents are eating, though in much smaller portions and with minimal salt, sugar and spices added.

Here are some other great tips to prepare their food safely:

Choose low- or no-sodium alternatives wherever possible
Don't add honey into any of bub's meals before they're 12 months of age as there is a risk of infant botulism
Cut each piece of food into an age-appropriate size to drastically reduce the risk of choking
Make a note of what they like and don't like so you're serving them things they enjoy
Add new foods often to introduce them to new flavours constantly
Consider revising family meals to become BLW-friendly (e.g. don't add chili until you've portioned out a plate for them first!)

There are plenty of wonderful baby food preparation tools available at Mothercare that make healthy meal prep quick and easy, too:

LoveAmme LoveCook Mate 5-in-1 Baby Food Processor Bundle: With a temperature-controlled water bath which preserves nutrients, auto-cook timer and additional accessories to help make feeding fun, this weaning kit takes the hassles out of making their favourite healthy foods.
Tommee Tippee The Clash Food Steamer Blender: A combination steamer and blender, you can create a range of textures suitable for bubs just starting to wean through to toddlers and beyond.
Philips Avent Toddler Weaning Set: Remove all hassles of preparing healthy baby food with this 4-in-1 steam, blend, defrost and reheat weaning kit from Philips.
Beaba Babycook Neo: A simple baby food preparation tool with 4 settings - steam cook, blend, reheat, and defrost.
Tiny Bites Food Shears: A great baby food preparation tool with child-proof blades that's portable and light so you can cut your meals into baby-friendly portions even when you're out and about.

6. What are some easy foods to start Baby-Led Weaning with?

There are so many different options when it comes time to begin baby-led weaning which are nice and easy to prepare and take no time at all. For example:

Avocado
Egg
Banana
Bread (untoasted)
Mushrooms (Portobello/shiitake/white button)
Mashed potato
Pasta
Grilled eggplant
Broccoli
Berries (blackberries/strawberries)
Cucumber
Mango

There are also many BLW-focused feeding guides and websites available online that also provide portion and piece size guides according to your baby's age. This can make it easier for your little one to handle food even while their motor skills are developing, as well as prevent choking hazards.

7. How do I know if my baby is eating enough?

The fantastic thing about baby-led weaning is that it encourages a healthy relationship with food through listening to your baby's own hunger cues. Babies and toddlers do not always eat the same amount daily; some days they might eat a large meal while the next they barely touch any solids put in front of them.

You should continue to offer breast and/or formula milk to your baby throughout BLW up to around the 12- to 15-month mark, and solids 2-3 times daily (up to 5 times daily after they reach 12 months). This combination of milk and solids should keep baby well fed and happy.

Of course, you should definitely consult your pediatrician or GP if you begin to notice any growth, weight, or feeding issues or you feel something isn't right.

Get your feeding and weaning essentials in Singapore at Mothercare

When you're in need of only the best-quality mother and baby products in Singapore - weaning essentials and other feeding accessories included - there's only one place to visit: Mothercare. You'll find everything including items to help with:

For any questions you might have regarding which utensils, baby food preparation kits or weaning essentials you need for your baby-led weaning journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly Digital Nursery Advisor on WhatsApp for complimentary advice from our Mothercare staff.

You can also take advantage of our exclusive 100% FREE shipping to your door for any order of $60 or more by getting all of your bub shopping done in one convenient place at our Mothercare online store. Prefer to shop in-store? Find your nearest Mothercare location in Singapore to browse more products in person.