5 Best First Foods For Baby-Led Weaning

Baby Led Weaning

With the progressing world, a lot of traditional practices are discarded for modern techniques that people find to be better and more effective. One of the biggest examples of this process is baby-led weaning or BLW. 

Gone are the days when you had to swing the spoon around like an aeroplane to feed the baby. Modern practices call for the baby to feed itself.


If you wish to give this method of feeding a try, I have a list of foods that will be best for you to begin BLW. 

What is Baby-Led Weaning?

Baby-led weaning is when you introduce solid foods to the baby by not spoon feeding them but by letting them eat it using their own hands. You place specific finger foods, specifically mashable, and let the baby put it into their mouth and eat it on their own. 


BLW is effective because it not only lets babies have control over what they eat but also improves their jaw strength, promotes good eating habits and keeps them from gaining excess weight. 


You must know when to begin baby-led weaning. It’s important to start the practice only when you know your child is ready. Generally, the best age to start BLW is 6 months. Your child should be able to sit up without support and hold their neck straight and make proper chewing movements. 


If you think your baby is ready to begin BLW, try the following foods first to initiate the process. 

Best Foods Your Must Begin With 

There are all sorts of foods that you can feed your child. But, it’s more about the choice of food that matters the most. Make sure that the food you choose meets the following criterions:


Texture


Texture is key. The food you feed your baby should be soft and easily mashable even by the gentle pressure of a baby. Steaming, baking and roasting fruits and vegetables is one way to achieve the right texture. 


Size


You baby still hasn’t fully developed the chewing habits. For this reason, make sure that the size of the food is small to prevent any possible choking but also big enough for the baby to hold it properly. 


Apple Slices

Apples are good for the baby’s digestive system. It’s also sweet so most babies enjoy the fruit. If your baby is older than 9 months, you can give them paper thin slices of raw apple. But if you have a young baby, it's best to bake the slices until it’s slightly cooked and soft. 

Avocado

Ripe avocado is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals necessary for the growth of your child. Place thin slices of avocado on the plate of your baby and see them enjoy the mushy fruit. Make sure to keep some of the fruit’s skin so that it’s easier for the baby to hold it.

Broccoli

Broccoli needs no introduction. It’s a nutritionally dense food that has all the right nutrients for growth. Cut them into tiny florets, big enough for the baby to hold it properly. Make sure to boil or roast them until they are tender enough for your baby to eat. 

Papayas

Papayas are packed with vitamins that are helpful for the baby’s immune system. It already has a mashable texture. So, all you need to do is cut it into finger sizes and let the baby enjoy the meal. 

Eggs

Eggs are a source of protein, fats and vitamins. Frequently adding it to your baby’s diet is a great idea. You can hard boil it or scramble it. Make sure that the eggs are fully cooked. 


Now you can begin your baby-led feeding at home. Just make sure to identify any allergies that your baby might have before introducing them to new foods.
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What New Moms Need to Know About Postpartum Depression

Image
Having a newborn at home is not always about happiness, joy and excitement, especially if we talk about the new moms. Postpartum depression is a common scenario that most mothers go through after giving birth. It’s a result of the hormone imbalance in the bodies of new moms that lead to what we know as postpartum depression.  Running away from this phase will only bring more confusion, anxiety, discomfort and fear. So, if you are a new mom or a mom-to-be, you need to prepare yourself for the same. Read along to learn about some important points about postpartum depression.  It May Hit You a Few Weeks After Giving Birth PPD is not like baby blues. It does not hit you immediately after childbirth. Instead, you may feel the symptoms after 2-3 weeks. You may experience low mood, irritability, low libido and an indifferent attitude among other symptoms.   Unlike baby blues, postpartum depression can stick around for as long as 6-8 weeks and even get worse if not dealt wit...
Read more

What You Need to Know About Wonder Weeks & Leaps

Image
A baby’s fussy behavior can make their parents anxious. In some cases, these mood changes are unpredictable. Thus, learning about wonder weeks is important. After doing comprehensive research, doctors Van de Rijt and Plooij made charts for times when the babies may feel good or fussy. However, the wonder weeks patterns aren’t the same for every baby. So, don’t worry if it doesn’t work for your baby. Wonder Weeks And Leaps Wonder weeks describe periods of infant development. Research says that  during these periods, babies get physical and mental growth rapidly. Changing things quickly and learning new skills at a different pace may make your baby frustrated or scared. Thus, during this time, the baby should be well taken care of by their parents and caregivers. The wonder weeks chart can be used by calculating your baby’s age in weeks (starting from the due date). In the first year, the baby goes through about eight leaps. And, each leap is associated with different milestones the...
Read more

Everything You Need To Know About Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Image
Giving birth is a new and very special feeling. In many cultures and religions, there are celebrations to honor pregnant women. Some rituals include dedicated prayers, baby shower’s and practice of washing to-be mom feet using herbs to put her in a calm and relaxed mood. Today, child birth is celebrated with relatives at home and generally there is a ‘welcome baby’ party. But, the birth can also trigger a lot of powerful emotions. Yes, it ranges from excitement to uncertainty. It’s the time when you mind all sorts of questions, for example, how to properly care for a baby? What should you do when a baby cries? How to keep a baby safe? The list is nearly endless… The jumble of emotions mixed together produce feelings of insecure and underprepared. New mom’s easily fall into a spiral of emotional facing ‘baby blues’, panic and insomnia. These are postpartum depression symptoms , mostly they begin within two-four days after birth. Common Symptoms Of Depression Some of the first sy...
Read more