Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) in the Philippines
Baby Led Weaning (BLW) is a method of allowing your baby to self-feed with finger size solid foods rather than the traditional purees through spoon-feeding.
Since your baby can self-feed, they can eat together with the family during mealtime. They decide what, how much and how quickly they can eat.
When to start feeding your baby?
Experts agree that the best time to start feeding is when your baby is already 6 months old.
Also, your baby will show signs of readiness like:
- They can sit without support and on their own.
- They don’t have the tongue-thrust reflex anymore. A tongue-thrust reflex is when they try to push the food out of their mouths.
- They are attempting to chew on their food.
- They are participating during mealtimes like grabbing the plates or utensils.
BLW Benefits
- Preparing BLW food is easier and less time consuming than purees.
- Since the baby is self-feed, they can eat with the family at the same time.
- BLW babies know how to self-regulate. They stop when they know that they are full.
- They learn how to chew and swallow.
- At an early age, they can already differentiate the textures, sizes, tastes, and shapes of food.
- It can improve their dexterity.
- It can also develop their oral-motor skills at an early stage.
- BLW babies are less likely to be picky eaters.
BLW Risk
CHOKING!
Before you start, here are the things that you should be aware of:
1. Your baby will gag and it is okay.
As early as 6 months old, babies are developmentally ready to eat finger size foods. They have a good natural gag-reflex that allows them to move the food back and forth to their mouth so that they will not choke.
Know the difference between gagging and choking
GAGGING
Your baby will open their mouth and thrust the tongue forward.
The face may appear bright red.
Your baby might cough. This is a good sign that they are working it out.
Children have a good gag reflex. This will keep them safe from choking.
Do not interfere.
CHOKING
Your baby will turn blue.
Your baby will be silent and unable to make a noise.
If your child begins coughing due to partial blockage, this is a good sign that they are trying to remove it on their own.
IF YOUR BABY IS SILENT AND TURNING BLUE PROCEED WITH STANDARD FIRST AID MEASURE TO CLEAR THE BLOCKAGE
LOUD AND RED, LET THEM GO AHEADSILENT AND BLUE, THEY NEED A HELP FROM YOU
For your peace of mind, you should know infant CPR whether through actual classes or by watching Youtube videos.
2. Your baby can eat almost the same meal on your dining table.
I usually make simple Pinoy dishes with salt and pepper only. But babies’ kidneys are not mature enough to handle salt and sugar.
As an example, when I cook Chicken Tinola meal for us. I prepare the ingredients all at the same time. The only difference is the cut on her meal vs. on our meal. I cook the Tinola as usual. While I tenderized the meat, I steam her veggies and meat simultaneously using the same casserole.
3. Prepare for the mess
BLW is messier than the traditional weaning.
TIPS!
- Choose a high chair that is easy to clean and rinse off.
- Choose a bib that’s made of silicone or plastic so you can easily wipe off excess food.
4. Make the food soft enough
To ensure that the food is safe for your baby, mash it between your finger and thumb.
5. Don't overwhelm
Avoid putting too many pieces of food on the table at once. Try offering them one by one so your baby can focus on each slice.
6. Avoid round food.
Cut grapes, cherry tomatoes, cherry in quarter sizes.
7. Cut food in long finger size strips
Make sure to cut the food in finger size so they can easily grasp them.
8. Know when they are done
They are done once they don’t show any more interest in food. They turn their heads away, close their mouth or start to get impatient.
Suggested Food to Introduce for BLW
6 to 8 months
Vegetables
Carrots
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Squash
Green Peas (Removed shell)
Zucchini
Beets
Broccoli
Spinach
Avocado
Steamed Apple
Banana
Fruits
Tomatoes
Protein Source
Boiled Egg (Yolk only)
Chicken Liver
Dairy
Greek Yogurt
Grains
Rice
Quinoa
Oatmeal
9 months onward
Vegetables
Cucumber
Cauliflower
Bell Pepper
Eggplant
Okra
String Beans
Bokchoy/Pechay
Cabbage
Corn
Fruits
Strawberries
Kiwi
Melon
Watermelon
Protein Source
Chicken
Fish
Mealtime Schedule
Mealtime schedule
(6-7 months)
6 AM Milk
8 AM Morning Nap
10 AM Milk
12 NN Meal Time
2 PM Milk
3 PM Afternoon Nap
6 PM Milk
10 PM Milk Dream feeding
2 AM Milk Dream feeding
Mealtime schedule
(8-9 months)
6 AM Milk
8 AM Morning Nap
10 AM Milk
11 AM Meal Time 1
2 PM Milk
3 PM Afternoon Nap
4 PM Meal Time 2
6 PM Milk
10 PM Milk Dream feeding
2 AM Milk Dream feeding
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DISCLAIMER
I am not a healthcare professional. This blog serves as guide if you wanted to know more about BLW. It’s better to consult your pediatrician to know the most suited weaning for your baby.
I’d love to hear from you! Let me know your thoughts below.
How about you? Is your baby weaned traditionally or baby led?
If traditional weaning, what were your challenges?
If baby led? How was your experience?
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5 Comments
Anna
Thank you mommy! This is really informative. I’m just scared of choking! Huhu. Will wait when baby is ready to sit up on his own
Frecelynne
Hi Mommy Anna! I’m so glad to hear that you find my blog informative. Being scared is normal… what more important is, you know the infant first aid 🙂 I hope that you and your baby will enjoy your BLW journey.
elle
Hi mommy! Just stumbled in your post today. First time here and we are going solids next month… thank you for this it’s very helpful and informative.
Did you use any baby cookbooks as guide ?
Frecelynne
Hello! Sorry for the late reply, No I didn’t use any cookbooks. I just followed- no salt and other seasonings before 1 year old. After 1, I started using salt on her food 🙂
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