Your Guide To Baby-Led Weaning

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Your Guide To Baby-Led Weaning
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Written by Mindsmaking Medical Writer

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Fact Checked by Mindsmaking Professionals

22nd, June, 2025

Are you considering baby-led weaning for your child? Learn what baby-led weaning is, when to start, baby-led weaning benefits, best first foods, and baby-led weaning schedule with our guide.

Transitioning to solids is a key developmental milestone for most babies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), babies should be exclusively breastfed or formula-fed for the first 6 months. After that, complementary solid foods—whether through baby-led weaning or spoon-feeding—can be introduced alongside continued milk feeding[17].


However, age is just one part of the equation; experts say developmental cues are key in considering solid food introduction, like baby-led weaning. Your baby should be able to sit up without support, have good head control, and show interest in food, especially when offered [2].


You might be thinking, “Is baby-led weaning going to be super messy?” or “What about choking—how safe is this really?” Maybe you’re just curious about the best first foods to offer. Whatever your questions, this guide is here to walk you through it all, making mealtime safer, easier, and a lot more fun for both you and your baby.

Key Facts

Unlike traditional spoon feeding, baby-led weaning involves allowing your baby to pick up the food with their hands and explore it independently, developing their self-feeding skills and fine motor control.

Babies can start baby-led weaning around 6 months, when they begin to show signs of readiness, such as sitting up unassisted, holding their head steady, and bringing objects to their mouth.

In the early stages of baby-led weaning, focus on exploration, not calories. It’s normal for babies to play with food more than eat—it’s all part of learning to self-feed.

The first foods for baby-led weaning should be soft, small, easy to grab, and safe for babies to swallow, like avocado, steamed carrots, banana, and cooked meats.

Consistency is key in baby-led weaning. If your baby refuses certain foods, keep offering them. Repeated exposure helps your baby become more familiar and confident with new tastes and textures over time.

Certain foods like popcorn, hard nuts, whole grapes, honey, added sugar, and added salt should be avoided at the start of baby-led weaning to reduce the risk of choking and foodborne illnesses from bacteria.

Gagging is a natural reflex when babies learn to swallow, typically followed by loud coughing or spitting up, while choking is the complete obstruction of the airway by food or foreign objects.

​​To reduce choking risk, always supervise meals, cut food into finger-sized pieces, avoid round/hard items, seat the baby upright, offer soft foods first, and learn infant first aid. Safe eating habits are key to a successful start with solids.

Before starting baby-led weaning, think about whether your baby is ready—and if you’re okay with a messier, slower journey into solids. Patience, timing, and trust are key to making it a positive experience for you both.

An effective baby-led weaning schedule starts with a single meal at 6 months and gradually progresses to a variety at 8 months, as the baby becomes more comfortable. By 12 months, you can progress to three meals a day with breast milk or formula.

Successful baby-led weaning requires offering soft and safe foods, patience and persistence, avoiding mealtime distractions, safety and hygiene considerations, and your baby’s developmental readiness.

Most parents say that baby-led weaning starts with food rejections and most foods being wasted, but babies learn to be good eaters with time.

What Is Baby-Led Weaning?


Baby-led weaning means letting your baby take the lead in feeding themselves right from the start of solid foods. Instead of spoon-feeding purees, you offer soft, age-appropriate finger foods that your baby can pick up, explore, and chew using their gums, developing their self-feeding skills and fine motor​​ coordination. This usually begins around 6 months of age, when most babies are developmentally ready to self-feed.


Baby-led weaning isn't just part of some trendy baby feeding techniques, but a feeding style that supports child development and independence. Studies show that babies who followed baby-led weaning showed improved self-regulation of hunger and satiety compared to traditionally spoon-fed infants [1]. The research also emphasized how baby-led weaning encourages healthier eating patterns later in life.


This feeding style reduces fussiness and picky eating, allowing your child to explore foods and try them at will. A 2021 randomized review confirmed that baby-led weaning benefits include reduced food fussiness, improved oral-motor skills, and more responsive feeding behaviors [3]

When can I start baby-led weaning?


According to Health Professionals like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), babies are ready to start solids when they show developmental cues such as the ability to hold their head up, sit independently, and bring toys or food into their mouths, which typically begins around 6 months of age [2]. Signs of readiness include: 


  • Sitting up independently.


  • Good head and neck control.


  • Shows interest in food, such as opening their mouth when offered food, reaching for food, or mimicking chewing when they watch you eat.


  • Loss of the tongue thrust reflex. That is, they swallow foods rather than push them back out onto their chin with the tongue.


  • Grasping small objects, such as toys or food, and bringing them to their mouth.


Although WHO recommends starting solids from 6 months of age, it is important to know that watching for developmental readiness is a safer and more effective route. A study showed that forcing solids before a baby shows these cues can interfere with digestion, increase choking risk, and result in feeding aversion [4]. 


Pediatric experts also stress a few safety considerations when starting baby-led weaning. Following safe baby feeding techniques allows your child to explore food confidently and safely while minimizing choking risk [8]. 


  • Always supervise your baby during mealtimes. 


  • Ensure your baby is always sitting upright during meals.


  • Avoid firm, round foods like whole berries or whole grapes and hard, crunchy foods like tortilla chips, popcorn, or nuts.

Tips on How To Start Baby-Led Weaning 


Transitioning your baby to solids with baby-led weaning doesn’t require getting fancy gear or gourmet recipes, but a safe setup with a high chair, patience from you, and a developmentally ready baby.  


Here are some tried-and-true tips to kick off baby-led weaning with confidence :


  • Set up a safe space during mealtime using a high chair with a footrest, and ensure your baby is sitting upright. This promotes safer swallowing and better posture [6].


  • Choose the right time for meals. Offer foods when your baby is well-rested and not too hungry. That way, they’re more likely to be curious rather than frustrated.


  • Start with one or two foods at a time to let them get used to the textures and flavors [2]



  • Avoid offering large and hard foods like whole grapes, raw carrots, and whole nuts as they are choking hazards [6].


  • Let your baby take the lead. Instead of feeding them, place the food in their hands or on a tray and watch them explore. This builds independence and teaches self-regulation.


  • Expect a mess and stay calm. Use a splat mat under the chair, dress your baby in a bib, and keep clean-up supplies nearby. 


  • Eat together. Because babies learn by watching, sharing mealtimes encourages mimicry, makes food more exciting, and reinforces family bonding.


The early days of transitioning to baby-led weaning shouldn't be about how many calories they get during each meal; it should be about exploration and learning to self-feed. So don’t be worried if your baby plays more than they eat when starting. 


Learning to chew, swallow, and self-feed is a huge developmental milestone that they would perfect with consistent self-feeding. Over time, their confidence and appetite will grow, and so will your comfort with the process.

"Infographic: 8 tips on how to start baby-led weaning, including creating a safe setup, picking the right time, starting simple, using soft grabbable foods, avoiding choking hazards, letting baby lead, embracing the mess, and eating together."

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What are Good First Foods for Baby Led Weaning?


Doctors Bjorkman, in their video, emphasize prioritizing foods that are soft, easy to hold, and easy to chew and swallow. ​​Below are some ideal starter foods for baby-led weaning.


  • Steamed carrot sticks
  • Ripe avocado slices
  • Roasted sweet potato wedges
  • Soft banana halves (peeled halfway for grip
  • Cooked zucchini finger
  • Steamed broccoli florets 
  • Slices of soft-cooked apple or pear
  • Toast fingers with mashed lentils or avocado
  • Hard-boiled egg quarters
  • Oatmeal pancakes cut into soft fingers


These foods are nutritious and easy for babies to grip and munch on with their gums. They encourage chewing and swallowing, which develop jaw strength, chewing coordination, and oral sensory awareness.

Tips on How to Prepare and Serve Baby-Led Weaning Foods


When preparing these foods for baby-led weaning, cooking and serving them in sizes and textures that minimize choking risk and support baby development is important. According to the experts, here are the best practices [14]:


  • Cut foods into strips about the size of your pinky so they’re easy to hold.


  • Offer vegetables that are soft enough to mash with their gum or chew with their few teeth.


  • Avoid adding salt and sugar to meals for babies under 2 years. Babies’ kidneys aren’t mature enough to process sodium, and added sugars can cause tooth decay.


  • Don't offer your baby round, coin-shaped slices of veggies, fruits, or meat, since those can increase choking risks.


  • Shredded lean meats work well, with eggs, yogurt, and cheese as protein alternatives for your baby.


It is important to bear in mind that consistency is key. If your baby rejects some foods, you should continue offering them. The more often your baby sees, smells, and touches those foods, the more confident they’ll become in trying them. 

Foods You Should Avoid with Baby-Led Weaning


While baby-led weaning encourages exploration, not all foods are safe for babies, especially during the early stage of starting solid foods. Dr Emma Hubbard, in her video, explains that the risk of choking is quite common with baby-led weaning, and it's due to parents serving foods that are unsafe to their babies[10]


Her video outlines several foods to avoid during baby-led weaning due to the risk of developing health problems and choking. As tempting as it might be to offer your baby a taste of everything on your plate, some foods are unsuitable for their developmental stage or digestive system, especially in certain forms. 


Whole Grapes: These are a serious choking hazard as whole grapes can easily get stuck in a baby’s airway due to their round shape and firmness. Instead, you can cut the grapes into small, bite-sized pieces for your baby. Additionally, you can remove the skins to reduce the risk of it getting stuck in their oesophagus.  


Whole Nuts and Seeds: Tree nuts and seeds like peanuts, walnuts, and pistachios are hard and large enough to get lodged in a baby's little airway and cause choking, even in ground form. While nut butters are a great source of healthy fats, it’s important to spread them thinly on other foods, like toast slices, to prevent the baby from taking too large a bite. 


Hard, Raw Vegetables: Raw vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery, or any other hard foods like apples, shouldn't be given to babies as they’re too firm to chew properly, making them choking hazards. Instead, you can steam or roast them to make them softer and easier for self-feeding.

 

Popcorn: This is another common choking hazard and is unsafe for babies until they are older and have mastered chewing. Popcorn is dry, firm, and has a light, airy texture and shape, which can easily get lodged in a child’s airway. It's best to keep popcorn and similar snacks off the menu until your child has teeth and has mastered chewing. 


Unpasturized Dairy: Unpasturized dairy products like cheese and milk harm babies because they can cause foodborne illnesses and food poisoning from bacteria such as Listeria or Salmonella. Instead, stick to only pasteurized dairy products, especially for babies under 12 months, to ensure safety.


Honey: This should never be given to babies under one year due to the risk of botulism, a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the bacteria spores that thrive in honey. It is best to avoid honey until after the first year, when their system can handle and eliminate these bacteria. 


Hard, Chewy Meats: Tough meats like steaks or poached chicken are too hard for babies to break down or nibble with their gums, making them difficult to chew and swallow. Instead, opt for tender and well-cooked meats that are easily shredded or finely chopped meats are a better choice. 


Foods with added Salt or Sugar: Babies' kidneys are still developing and can’t handle excess sodium, which can lead to kidney strain.


Similarly, added sugar can cause dental problems like tooth decay and create unhealthy habits from an early age. Instead, you can cook their foods with herbs and spices for flavor and stick to foods with natural sugar for the first 2 years. 


By carefully avoiding these foods, you reduce the risk of choking and help your baby build healthy eating habits, supporting your baby’s digestion and oral health. You can introduce more textures and foods as they age and their chewing abilities improve.

Visual guide showing 8 foods to avoid during baby-led weaning, including whole grapes, nuts and seeds, raw hard vegetables, popcorn, unpasteurized dairy, honey, hard chewy meats, and foods high in salt or sugar — to prevent choking and support infant health."

Gagging and Choking in Baby-Led Weaning


A common and most talked about concern many parents have when starting baby-led weaning is the risk of gagging and choking during meals. Gagging is a natural reflex designed to prevent choking, and it occurs when babies learn how to move food safely from the front of their mouth to the back for swallowing [12]


It's a normal part of the self-feeding process and shows that your baby is learning to handle different textures and move food around with their tongue. According to studies, gagging is common during baby-led weaning and helps babies develop their gag reflex, which is essential for safe eating as they grow [13].


Choking, on the other hand, is a medical emergency that occurs when food or a foreign object completely or partially blocks the airway, preventing the baby from breathing. Choking is silent as children find it difficult to make sounds or cough with a blocked windpipe.  


It’s important to know both signs to react appropriately if one occurs. 


Gagging usually involves loud coughing, gurgling, or a distressed face, but the baby can still breathe, cry, and move air in and out of their lungs. Stay calm and give your baby time to clear the food when gagging occurs.


But if a baby is choking, they won’t be able to cry or make any sound, and you might notice their face turning blue, signaling that they can’t breathe. Then, intervene with a hard pat on the back or the Heimlich Maneuver. This includes back blows and chest thrusts with the baby on one arm, with the head facing down.

Tips to Reduce Choking Risks


  • Supervise your baby at all times. Never leave your baby unattended while eating, even if they seem fine; stay close enough to intervene if needed [6].


  • Ensure food is cut into small, manageable pieces roughly the size of your pinky finger. Avoid offering foods that are round or large and can easily be a choking hazard, such as whole grapes or hot dogs.


  • Encourage safe eating habits by ensuring your baby is seated upright and calm. Avoid feeding them while lying down, distracted, or moving around.


  • Offer soft foods first. Start with softer, easily mashable foods which are less likely to cause choking, like ripe fruits, soft cooked vegetables, and scrambled eggs.


  • Know infant first aid, like the Heimlich maneuver, as knowing the steps to take in an emergency is important.

Pros and Cons of Baby-Led Weaning


Baby-led weaning has benefits and challenges, and knowing these can help you make a more informed decision and plan to make this baby feeding technique seamless for you and your baby.


Pros of Baby-Led Weaning


  • It encourages independence and a sense of autonomy in your baby[3]. 


  • Helps babies develop a healthier relationship with food and better eating habits.


  • Refines motor skills, such as hand-to-eye coordination and pincer grasp. 


  • No need to make the food separately, babies can have what the family is eating.


  • Promotes family bonding and a sense of inclusion during mealtime.


Cons of Baby-Led Weaning


  • Mealtimes can be messy. 


  • There is a risk of choking.


  • Takes a longer time to feed. 


  • Not suitable for babies who aren’t developmentally ready.


  • You have less control over their food intake. 

 

Deciding whether to try this baby feeding technique requires careful consideration of your baby’s readiness and your readiness to embrace a slightly messier, slower-paced approach to solid food introduction. 

How To Create a Baby-Led Weaning Schedule 


Baby-led weaning (BLW) allows your little one to take the lead with self-feeding, but that doesn’t mean you should leave mealtimes entirely to chance. A gentle, flexible schedule helps ensure your baby receives enough nutrients while gradually adjusting to solids.


Breast milk or formula remains your baby’s primary source of nutrition until 12 months, and all solid foods introduced before then are considered complementary feeding. Your role is to offer nutritious, age-appropriate foods that include a balance of carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, while continuing to provide regular milk feeds throughout the day.


Experts recommend a balanced approach—one that offers variety and honors your baby’s cues, but also includes enough structure to support healthy eating habits.


Baby-Led Weaning Schedule: 6 Months+


At 6 months, your baby is just beginning their solids journey. Start with one meal per day, offered when your baby is alert and content—this could be morning, afternoon, or evening, depending on your routine. It’s not about three full meals yet, but simply getting started. All solids at this stage are for exploration and learning.


Continue breastfeeding or offering formula between meals on demand — usually 4–6 times per day.


At this stage, you should offer soft, easy-to-grip finger foods that your baby can gum or mash between their fingers.


Sample Foods (Choose One Time of Day):


  • Banana strips, avocado wedges, or scrambled egg pieces


  • Steamed sweet potato or zucchini strips


  • Soft broccoli florets or well-cooked, shredded chicken


Complement with 4–6 breast milk or formula feeds spread across the day, based on your baby's hunger cues.


Baby-Led Weaning Schedule: 8 Months+


By 8 months, most babies have adjusted to solids and are ready for two meals per day. Their grasp is stronger, and they’re more curious about different textures and flavors.


Breast milk or formula is still important and should be offered between meals, typically around 3–5 times a day.


The focus during this stage is to support your baby’s development by offering a variety of foods and gentle combinations of soft textures.


Sample Schedule:


  • Breakfast – Soft slices of mango or kiwi, oat porridge, or toast fingers with nut butter (thinly spread)


  • Lunch – Steamed veggies with lentils, soft-cooked tofu or chicken, or mashed beans


  • Snacks & Milk Feeds – Continue offering breast milk/formula between meals and before naps


Keep up regular milk feeds as the main source of nutrition; solids should complement, not replace, milk.


Baby-Led Weaning Schedule: 12 Months+


By 12 months, babies can usually handle three meals a day, plus snacks and drinks. They’re developing better chewing skills and may even have molars.


Breast milk or formula can now begin to shift toward a supporting role, with more of their nutrition coming from food. Offer 2–3 milk feeds per day, depending on your child’s needs.


The focus at this stage is on introducing more textures, incorporating family-style meals, and exposing your baby to a wide range of healthy foods.


Sample Schedule:


  • Breakfast – Whole-grain pancakes with egg, steamed carrot sticks, or full-fat yogurt with fruit


  • Lunch – Soft brown rice, chopped chicken, orange wedges, or peeled apple slices


  • Dinner – Mini casseroles, mac and cheese with veggies, or soft meatballs with roasted vegetables


Offer 2–3 milk feeds daily (morning, before nap/bedtime), and begin introducing water with meals.

Tips for a Successful Baby-Led Weaning


Whether you’re just beginning or need help getting in tune, these practical tips will make the journey smoother and more enjoyable for both of you.


Ensure Your Baby Is Ready Developmentally


Babies should ideally begin solid foods around 6 months of age when they show readiness cues such as having good head control and sitting upright with support. These developmental milestones show that your baby is ready to self-feed and safely handle the different textures of solid food. 


Start With Soft, Easy-to-Hold Foods


Start with easy foods for your baby to grasp and chew with their gums. Soft foods like banana or avocado, steamed carrot or sweet potato, and scrambled eggs. These foods should be cut into manageable pieces or sticks that your baby can hold with their fist, allowing them to refine motor skills like pincer grasp and hand-to-mouth coordination.


Be Patient and Allow Time for Exploration


Encourage babies to explore and try foods at their own pace. The process can be slow; babies may initially play with their food, squish it, or even throw it around. This is completely normal, so be patient with your little one. 


Avoid Distractions During Meals


Minimizing distractions like screens during mealtime is essential. Mealtime is a time for bonding, and it helps your baby focus on their food and eating habits and reduces the risk of choking, so turn off the TV and limit the use of toys to allow your baby to focus on eating. 


Supervise Your Baby Closely at All Times


Never leave your baby alone when eating, as this increases the risk of choking. Caregivers should always remain present during meals and be prepared to react quickly if a choking incident occurs. 


Also, remain calm when your baby makes a mess, as this is normal. Instead, dress your baby in a bib, have a mat under their highchair, and always have a washcloth or wipes beside you. 


Keep Offering a Variety of Foods


Offer a variety of foods in the early stages of baby-led weaning, as it introduces your baby to a wide range of textures and flavors. Even if your baby rejects some of these foods, keep offering them as it can take multiple exposures before a baby starts accepting a new food.


Trust Your Baby's Cues


Encourage babies to decide how much they want to eat, be patient, and allow your baby to guide the feeding process. If your baby refuses food or shows signs of fullness, don’t force them to eat. Instead, place the food in their tray or hands and trust that your baby is self-regulating and learning to recognize when hungry and full. 


Be Mindful of Safety and Hygiene


When preparing your baby's meals, ensure all foods are thoroughly washed, especially fruits and vegetables, to reduce exposure to harmful bacteria or pesticides. Additionally, ensure that foods are well-cooked and cut into the appropriate size to avoid choking hazards.

Infographic: 8 tips for a successful baby-led weaning experience, including starting when baby can sit, offering soft foods, expecting mess, screen-free mealtimes, staying close, offering refused foods, letting baby decide, and washing foods.

What Parents Say About Baby-Led Weaning


Parents who have tried baby-led weaning shared experiences and insights based on their journeys. Many find it a rewarding approach that fosters independence, a positive relationship with food, and reduced picky eating in their children. Below are some common sentiments expressed by parents based on surveys and personal accounts [14]:


  • “My baby is 12 months now, and she didn't seem to start "getting" eating solids until around 10 months or so! At first, it was just a lot of hands-on exploring.”


  • “My baby probably never ingested a single thing on purpose until he was 9 months old. He’s almost 11 months and will consistently eat Cheerios, Gerber tomato basil puffs, mashed potatoes, and refried beans. Everything else he throws on the floor or just pretends isn’t there. It gets better in some ways! We’ve seen multiple doctors and different therapies, are most are pretty reassuring that it is, to some extent, normal! “


  • “My firstborn hated it at first. She spat everything out!!! It's part of the process. Just keep trying! She's a great eater now.”


  • “My LO didn't know what to do with the food initially. He was looking elsewhere, babbling, staring at us. Then we started handing him a preloaded spoon (we started with easy stuff like mashed avocado, sweet potatoes, and yoghurt), and it took him a couple of weeks to get the hang of it. Now he loves food and has a healthy appetite, so it does get better! Keep going, offer a variety of different food, and I know it's super hard to do, but don't stress, he will still get his nutrition for breastmilk/formula :)”


  • “We’re finally seeing some interest in food. The first two weeks were rough. Intense gagging, zero interest, crying like she was getting tortured as soon as we put her in her high chair. It’s better now that we figured out what she likes. I’d recommend sticking to the same food for a week.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is baby-led weaning safe?

Baby-led weaning is safe when introduced correctly at the appropriate time, with proper parental supervision, and the right foods. One key factor is to ensure your baby is developmentally ready for solids, like sitting up unassisted, having good head control, and demonstrating a keen interest in foods. Introducing foods at this stage reduces the risk of choking and ensures your baby can manage solid foods safely.

Does baby-led weaning mean no purees at all?

No, baby-led weaning doesn’t mean avoiding purees entirely. The main idea is that babies feed themselves rather than being spoon-fed by a caregiver. You can still offer purees by pre-loading a spoon and allowing your baby to self-feed. This approach lets you combine the benefits of both baby-led weaning and traditional methods.

Isn't baby-led weaning a choking risk?

Baby-led weaning is not inherently a choking risk when practiced correctly. The key is to offer soft, age-appropriate foods in safe shapes—like finger-length sticks or small, mashable pieces—and always supervise your baby while they eat. Avoid hard, round, or sticky foods that are known choking hazards, such as whole grapes, nuts, raw carrots, or chunks of meat. With proper precautions, BLW can be a safe and effective way to introduce solids.

What foods should I start with for baby-led weaning?

Start with soft, easy-to-grip foods that are safe and nutritious. Good first options include steamed vegetables (like sweet potatoes, carrots, and broccoli), soft fruits (such as bananas, avocados, and mangoes), and strips of well-cooked proteins (like scrambled eggs, chicken, or beef). Offering a variety of textures and flavors early on supports healthy eating habits and may help prevent picky eating later.

Can I do baby-led weaning if my baby is in daycare?

Yes, baby-led weaning can work well in daycare with good communication. Many providers are familiar with BLW and can offer safe, age-appropriate foods. Just make sure caregivers understand food safety, portion sizes, and choking first aid.

What if my baby is not interested in food?

It’s normal for babies to show little interest in food early on with baby-led weaning. Some may play with food more than eat it—that’s part of learning. Stay patient and offer a variety of foods regularly without pressure. Forcing can lead to negative mealtime associations. If you’re concerned, check in with your pediatrician to rule out any issues and get personalized advice.

Do babies get enough nutrition with Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)?

Yes, as long as they're offered a variety of nutrient-rich foods alongside regular breast milk or formula feeds, babies can meet their nutritional needs with baby-led weaning.

Can I mix baby-led weaning with spoon feeding?

Yes, you can! Combining baby-led weaning with spoon-feeding—often called hybrid or mixed feeding—is a flexible and practical approach. It allows your baby to experience both self-feeding and spoon-fed textures, which can be helpful when they’re not yet ready for certain finger foods. This method supports gradual transition to solids while offering a wider range of food options and feeding experiences.

How do I ensure my baby gets enough nutrients?

To ensure your baby gets enough nutrients with baby-led weaning, offer a variety of nutrient-dense foods rich in iron, protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. Breast milk or formula remains the main source of nutrition until 12 months, but after 6 months, solid foods should complement milk feeds. Keep meals balanced and track what your baby eats to ensure variety. If you're unsure about their intake, consult a pediatrician or registered dietitian.

Do I prepare separate meals with Baby-led weaning?

No, you don’t need to make separate meals. Baby-led weaning encourages offering your baby safe, appropriately prepared versions of the same foods the rest of the family eats. You may just need to adjust certain ingredients—like avoiding honey, added salt, or sugar—to make them baby-friendly.

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Baby-Led Weaning: Complete Guide to Starting Solid Foods