Transitioning to solids is kinda a pain in the butt which is one of the many reasons that as a family we choose to do Baby Led Weaning. I’m sure many of you have heard of it but in case you haven’t baby led weaning is the idea that you let your baby choose when, what and how they want to eat.
What is Baby Led Weaning?
Baby Led Weaning allows babies to control their solid food consumption by “self-feeding” from the very beginning of their experiences with food. The term weaning should not be taken to imply giving up formula or breastmilk, but simply the introduction of foods other than formula or breastmilk.
How I Practice Baby Led Weaning
I practice baby led weaning a little differently than others may. Some people go ahead and give their baby an entire piece of meat whereas I will cut it into tiny pieces.
I also tend to introduce fruits and vegetables one at a time and wait a couple of days in between so that I can access for any allergies.
I also for at least the first year tend to only give fruits, vegetables and some dairy, mainly yogurt, to my littles ones saving carbs like rice and pasta for later.
Benefits of Baby Led Weaning
For me the benefits of Baby Led Weaning mainly have to do with allowing my baby to tell me when they’re ready to eat. I truly believe that some of the problems we have with obesity in this nation have a lot to do with feeding our children before they’re ready and making them them finish all their food even when they’re showing signs that they’re done.
It allows you to concentrate on your entire family during meal times, not just feeding the baby. When it comes to baby led weaning your baby eats what you eat!
Learn more benefits here.
1. Easi-Mat: Out of all these products this is probably the Must Have of the Must Haves! It grips bowls and plates to the mat keeping them in place. Which means no more little babies picking up their bowls or plates and throwing them on the floor which means less clean up for you!
2. Easy Scoop Feeding Bowl with Lid & Spoon: We’re constantly on the go especially during the warmer months. Sometimes I feel like we spend more time at the playground than we do at home. It’s not a bad thing. It’s a good thing but it also means that we need lots of items for on the go eating. I love that this has a spot for the spoon!
3. Feeding Spoons: SPOONS! Eating, especially toddler eating would be nothing without spoons. They may not get the hang out of it right away but they will eventually. You’ll need lots of these unless you constantly want to rewash the spoon they’ll continue to throw on the floor over and over again!
4. Easi-Roll Bibs: All baby/toddler feeding is messy but Baby Led Weaning baby feeding is especially messy. You’re letting them feed themselves after all! This bibs wipes clean and catches anything that doesn’t land in their mouth which by the way, will be a lot!
5. Truly Spill Proof Straw Cup: Spill proof is key when you have a toddler and we love straw options. We kinda skipped the sippy cup phase entirely and use mainly straws!
What are your toddler feeding must haves?
Disclosure: I’m a tommee tippee ambassador and was prompted to share my favorite tommee tippee products!
It’s been 40 years since I had babies and they’ve made cute feeding things since then.