How to baby led wean - the good, the bad and the messy

1. You have to wait till baby is developmentally ready. Sitting up on his own and able to reach for food and bring it to his mouth. Guidelines advise starting at 6 months but some babies may take longer to reach that stage.

Getting familiar with utensils at 6 months the week before solids were introduced.

2. Equip yourself with knowledge by attending an infant first aid course. Send your family members for one too. Myself, my sister and my husband had all attended this. Go for this even if weaning the traditional way as you can never tell when an emergency might occur.

3. Start slow, be patient and babies don't eat much. 

Shredded apple was great as one of the first few foods. Grabbed and shoveled into the mouth. Of one grated apple maybe two spoonfuls made it into his mouth. 

4. Be prepared for mess. Give your baby the freedom to explore taste, textures and motor skills. Buy a good baby safe all purpose cleaner and be prepared.

Messy but easily and quickly cleaned while baby is being bathed by his papa.

5. Always keep in mind the textures of foods you are presenting to your baby. I steam my fruits and vegetables and ensure its possible to grip but mashable by gums. Crinkle cutting can improve grip.

The joys of carrot.

Sweet potato ain't so bad either.

6. As baby's skills develop so does the type of foods and textures

7. Trust your baby's abilities, but be careful not to push him beyond his ability.

8. Read Gill Rapley's Baby Led Weaning book or Gill Rapley's page

9. Enjoy this laid back easy way of introducing food to your child.

10. Eat out without worrying about preparing porridge or puréed foods in advance. I would sometimes bring suitable fruits and vegetables depending on the stage he was in.

Gnocchi- fine dining like a pro ( yes some mess, so pick baby friendly restaurants)

Slurping noodles

Remember though that with weaning either the baby led way or the traditional way, it is best to read up about choking hazards and be prepared for this possibility. I'm very afraid of round foods and though my son eats like a champ, I panic at the sight of a whole grape or tomato in his reach. Always consult trusted professionals that you know if in doubt about the sensibility of this method. 

This a light hearted post and has not delved into the deeper aspects of weaning and what led me to decide to go down this route. I'm happy to share the resources I used and my own experiences with anyone who wants to chat about it. Just drop me a note on the comments or Facebook. 

Share your weaning experiences with me and photos too! :)