After reading my post baby led weaning (BLW), one size fits all? you may have decided to give it a whirl. This post will be beneficial for anyone who wants to try BLW from the start or if you are transitioning from purees to solid.
Where do you start?
It is first important to know what foods you should not be introducing right away. I talked about the difference between gagging and choking in my last post. According to the APA, there are still foods that you should avoid that can restrict the airway. Some may be obvious but here is a list:
- Whole grapes
- Hot dogs
- Hard candy
- Raw carrots
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Raisins
- Very tough meat
First Foods – Preparation:
- Cook foods free of added salt and preservatives. A lot of sodium can be too much on your baby’s kidneys. It can also lead to an affinity to salty foods.
- Play with flavors. Just because you are not adding salt doesn’t mean you need to cook it bland. Stay away from the spicy foods, but adding herbs, garlic, cumin, etc. can really broaden their palates.
- Steam or roast to a soft consistency. It should be soft and easy to smash with gentle pressure between your thumb and forefinger.
- Offer whole foods in a “stick shape” that is easy to pick up and feed themselves. You may be tempted to cut them into small pieces but it will be tough for them to pick up. Some foods may be slippery so getting a crinkle cutter will help with grip.
First foods – Types and Method:
Food | Conventional | BLW at age 6 to 7 months |
Fruits/Veggies | ||
| Broccoli
| Puréed or mashed
| Served as a floret-sized piece, large enough for the infant to hold with some protruding from the fist. Steamed to a soft consistency.
|
| Carrots
| Puréed or mashed
| Served in stick form about 2″ long. Either quartering a large carrot or cutting a baby carrot in half width wise. Steamed to a soft consistency.
|
| Banana or Avocado
| Puréed or mashed
| Skin is left on the bottom section of the banana or avocado (this gives the infant something to grip) and the top section is peeled for infant to eat.
|
| Apples
| Puréed or mashed
| Peel apple. Serve raw in a big enough piece for child to gnaw on without biting off chunks. You can also peel then bake.
|
| Butternut Squash
| Puréed or mashed
| Roast, steam, or grill in finger-like spears until tender but still firm enough that they do not fall apart.
|
| Green Beans
| Puréed or mashed
| Trim ends and cut into 2″ pieces. Steam until tender.
|
| Potatoes
| Puréed or mashed
| Peel potatoes and roast in “French fry” like spears.
|
| Peaches
| Puréed or mashed
| Peel and slice raw.
|
Starches |
| |
| Pasta
| Puréed with meat or vegetables
| Large pieces such as spirals or strips of lasagna are offered as part of the meal.
|
| Bread
| Pureed and soaked with milk
| Toast and cut into strips. May add a thin layer of peanut butter (or other nut butters) or hummus.
|
Proteins | ||
| Beef/Chicken
| Puréed with liquid
| Slow cooked or stewed until tender, offered strip of meat, large enough for the infant to hold with some protruding from the fist. May also try soft meatballs cut in quarters (depending on size)
|
| Eggs | Puréed with milk and butter | Make omelet and cut into strips. |
Always remember that every baby and parent is different. Be patient and let your child lead the way! It it okay to offer solids or puree. Get messy and have fun!
Helpful BLW tools:
Pictures are linked to original source
- Silcone mats –
- Bibs –
- Crinkle cutter –
– Hungry Momma
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