"True Baby-led Weaning!"

True Baby-led Weaning

"True Baby-led weaning is a way of introducing solid foods that allows babies to self-feed. You offer your child a range of foods you are happy for them to eat and they choose to eat it".

True Baby-led weaning is based on psychological and biomechanical principles. The philosophy is based on teaching children from the moment they are weaned to gain a healthy relationship with food and to prevent fussy eating habits developing.

If you choose to offer your little one purees than that is your decision and you can get the same benefits as were you to offer them the food on your plate. If your baby is happy to pick up purees and pop them in their mouth then that is their decision, as is them choosing to chomp on a chunk of steak!

What is True Baby-led weaning

True Baby-led weaning is when you offer a variety of foods of different tastes and textures to your baby and allow them to self-feed. 

How is True Baby-led weaning different to other weaning methods? 
Baby-led weaning is where your baby eats what you eat - no spoons or purees.

Traditional weaning is where food is pureed and the caregiver feeds the child with a spoon. 

True Baby-led weaning is when you offer your baby a variety of foods and they self-feed.

How do I get started with True baby-led weaning?

·         Don’t let anyone, except your baby, put food in their mouth ·         Don’t leave your baby alone with food ·         Don’t give your baby any salt, sugar or whole nuts ·         Don’t give your baby any raw honey until they’re twelve months old

·         Do make sure your baby is sitting upright ·         Do cut small fruits such as grapes and cherries in half and remove any stones ·         Do be prepared for a mess ·         Do be prepared to have some fun!

What are the Benefits of True Baby-led weaning?

Babies gain independence by exploring food for themselves, at their own pace

Babies develop healthy eating habits as they learn to self-regulate their feeding

Children decide the pace and the amount they eat based on their own individual requirements

Babies are exposed to many different tastes and textures of food from the start making them more open to trying them as they grow

Finger foods encourage babies to chew, bite and suck, which helps develop the muscles used for speech

Self-feeding can improve hand-eye coordination

Babies are less likely to become bored and frustrated at mealtimes as they are feeding themselves

Let’s do it!

Position plenty of wipes and kitchen roll nearby

Have all your child’s food and drink to hand before you start

Have something for yourself at the same time. You may be sat there for a while and will be more inclined to tuck in and copy you

Lay some cheap PVC matting or newspaper on the floor around the highchair

Pop your baby in the highchair, placing a rolled up towel behind his back if he’s too far away from the table

Dress your baby in a longsleeved bib with a pelican bib on top

Place at least 2 different food items on the table and watch them explore.

If you choose to offer purees, then dollop some on the highchair tray and let your baby use their hands or a spoon to self-feed.

It’s as simple as that. Remember, you are offering your baby the chance to try some food, you are not feeding them. If they’re not interested, don’t worry and try again at the next mealtime.  Throughout weaning, continue to offer regular milk feeds and gradually your baby will reduce their milk intake as their appetite for food grows

We like to set our little ones a good example and encourage sharing. We don't mind you using any of the information, recipes and tips from our website, all we ask is that you credit us hard-working mummies here at Yummy Discoveries. 

Thank you x

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