Since Bubby has been born (11 months ago now!), I’ve dived into a whole new world with infant nutrition! I have to say that this new journey has been fascinating, exciting… and very wonderfully messy, that is for sure. ☺
I do think that above all, it is critical that all moms follow their own instincts. All moms are given copious amounts of unsolicited advice, told this and that, made to hear out unasked for stories and opinions of countless others…but the reality is that each mother has her own true inner compass. She is most connected with her child!
My little papoose!! Do what feels good for you and your baby! ❤️
Of course, reading around and being informed is important, but ultimately we as Mamas make the decisions as to what we think is best. As an example, I had no idea what kind of “mom style” I was going to employ, and to be honest, I didn’t think about it much until Bubs was actually born. But I did naturally gravitate to holding him and being with him pretty constantly (including co-sleeping in our room), which is along the lines of attachment parenting.
I’ve only put him in a stroller exactly one time- last weekend- when his Dad wanted to push him along. The other 99.9999% of the time he’s been in the carrier with me- as heavy as he is getting! It’s just what has felt natural to me. But I have a mom friend, Jen, who puts her daughter in a stroller to go anywhere and everywhere. That’s her jam. No bad, no better, just different mom styles!
Lil Bub loves his GGS, and getting a green mustache! ;)
And so it is with baby feeding. Bubs loves the Glowing Green Smoothie®, which I do feed it to him nearly daily with a spoon. But other than that, we haven’t done any pureed foods. Around 7 months, we started doing something called Baby Led Weaning, which is what I want to talk to you about today.
It may or may not be right for you, and maybe you are not a mom yet but just curious about what is up with baby feeding, or maybe you are wondering what you might feed your future baby (which is way ahead of my planning, before I had Bubs!). Either and any way, let’s dive in:
What is Baby-Led Weaning?
It is a term popularized by Gill Rapley, a health expert in Great Britain. With Baby Led Weaning (or BLW for short, which is kind of like our GGS abbreviation!), you don’t give your babies pureed foods, whether homemade or commercially jarred, but instead give him or her finger foods. Finger foods are foods your baby can pick up by his or herself, and learn to feed him or herself.
We’re having a green bean party! ❤️? #veggies #babylove
The foods are very soft, so even though they don’t have teeth (Bubs only has 2 on the bottom so far), they are able to pulverize the food in pretty surprisingly effective ways with their strong jaws and gums. Starting at seven months the finger foods I prepared for Bubs were simply steamed broccoli spears (his favorite!), carrots, squash, zucchini, and mostly just whole veggies and fruits cut into spears he can pick up himself.
The Benefits
The reason that I was attracted to Baby Led Weaning is that it is what has been traditionally practiced around the world. Many people in the world do not have access to blenders, so most infants transition to solid foods by eat smaller amounts of what their parents are eating!
BLW also teaches them to chew before swallowing. It gives the precious babies an interactive experience with foods where they can explore different textures and tastes, and very importantly, go their own pace. When you give your baby solid foods to eat themselves, it teaches them self-regulation at an early age. You spoon-feed them purée until you think they’ve had enough, but when you offer them finger foods, they eat until they feel satisfied naturally. This paves the path for a healthy eating foundation!
Embrace the wonderful mess!!!
It’s messy, but in a way it’s easier. You just have to steam veggies while you are going about your other business, like making the Glowing Green Smoothie® for yourself.
Plus, I will say that it’s really awesome to eat together. When I sit Bubs in his high chair to eat his bowl of steamed veggies and bananas, I time it so I eat along with him. It’s the beginning of our life-long family meals!
Is it safe?
Absolutely. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are aware of BLW and recommend the best time to start is at six months. By six months babies can usually sit up by themselves and grab onto objects. They have also let go of the tongue-thrush reflex (also called reverse swallow or immature swallow). In fancy language, it’s the tongue protruding through the anterior incisors during swallowing.
To you and me it’s when your baby pushes food out of their mouth. Anyway, by six months that’s usually gone, so it’s generally recognized as the right time. The main source of nutrition for babies until one year is still milk though, so you don’t have to feel great pressure when you start! It’s all about tasting and trying and exploring. We started around 7 months with Bubs, because we were on the road a lot around the 6 month mark, to be honest, and because he wasn’t fully sitting up yet.
Make sure your youngin can let go of the tongue-thrush reflex before starting the Baby-Led Weaning.
It can be scary at first. You might wonder, “How is little Mia going to possibly eat foods without teeth? Won’t she choke?” That is the most normal thought in the world and one I had myself. But a publication for the journal Pediatrics found that BLW doesn’t pose a greater risk of choking than traditional weaning methods with pureed foods [1].
Is it a New Thing?
Not at all. Although sometimes seen as revolutionary or controversial, BLW has been around forever and is used widely across many different cultures. That’s part of what I love about it! It seems so, so natural to me.
For or Against?
Personally, I’m for it. I used this method with Lil Bub, my (almost) one year old. He has had no purées except for GGS, and it has worked wonderfully.
There are some BLW purists who wouldn’t go near any purées, but I am certainly NOT a purist and as with all things here in Beauty Detox, I believe that it’s never all or nothing. Find your own routine and what works best for you. You can supplement BLW with purées and mix and match. Watching your baby eat all by themselves is super fun, but if you have a busy day and just want to get on with things, feel free to spoon-feed if it helps speed things up.
As long as they’re happy and healthy, that’s all that matters, right?
What foods work best for BLW?
I’m all about simple, and except for some patties that I made exactly once (that I actually made to test for our upcoming Beauty Detox Roadmap program! ☺), I haven’t made any specific recipes for BLW. It isn’t necessary at all, and I simply personally don’t have the time (though if you do, have fun with it!). I would if he was a picky eater, but so far he does amazing chowing down on simple, steamed whole plant foods (fingers crossed it lasts, but who knows!).
Make sure to steam your veggies and cut them into pieces your baby can easily grab and hold.
Here are some of my/Bubs’ faves:
- Avocado
- Banana (he loves!!)
- Sweet potato
- Steamed broccoli, carrots, green beans, squash zucchini, cut into longer “French fry” shapes he can pick up
- Cooked plain lentils
Note: Wheat and grains work too, but they shouldn’t be introduced at the six-month stage. Many people wait until molars come through before introducing grains, and I don’t plan on giving Bubby any wheat/gluten myself (although as a counter I will say that there are some that believe that introducing foods early is a good way to avoid allergies. Again, go with your gut!).
I also don’t season the food- no salt in particular- which they don’t metabolize well.
Lil Bub loves his steamed broccoli. A BLW staple for youngins! ;)
Remember: Wait until your baby is ready for BLW, if you do want to try it! Babies develop at different rates. Don’t worry if your child is seven or nine months before you try it. Just make sure they are sitting up, grabbing objects, and not pushing food out of their mouths. Then they’re good to go!
Also, don’t get frustrated if you offer some foods and they reject them. Keep trying and offering, as sometimes it takes a little while for them to get used to certain foods.
Has your baby or another little one you know tried BLW? What do you think?
Wishing you all the best, and remember I’m always here to support you.
Take great care of yourself.
Lots of love,
Kimberly
[1] A Baby-Led Approach to Eating Solids and Risk of Choking
Teaching your baby self-regulation at an early age will start healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Stay healthy and happy. Lots of love from the both of us! ;) Xx
I will definitely try this! I haven’t started purées myself and he’s about to be 7 months but he’s definitely grabbing on to things and even sometimes goes after my food. I think he’s ready I can’t wait to try this : ) how small or big should I cut his veggies? And about how many ounces of lentils do you give baby Emerson?
Hi Cynthia! I cut the veggies into “French fry”-sized pieces, aka long spears. So not just the broccoli florets but the spears as well so they can pick up themselves! Baby E is a big eater in general :), so I cook about 1/4- 1/2 cup at a time and give him that along with a bunch of veggie spears. Lots of love!
I wish I read this long time ago,but oh well my baby is already 15 months and growing big and healthy..however,I have a hard time to choose a good snack for her..I work with my baby in a nursery and all other babies are eating gold fish,sugary cheerios, graham crackers,cheese its etc. and she wants it too,but farthest I let her have it was some “organic” bunny crackers and GF cheerios..she loves banana,but I want her to eat something else too..What do you recommend? Does bubs eat fruit for snack or..? I would love to have GGS but my blender died and I’m not sure when will I afford another one.. PS I got you Radical Beauty book recently and I was seriously jumping from joy in my house lol like a little kid ??
Hi Kristina…I’m glad you are avoiding all those other not so great snack foods….I know it can be hard but you are making an amazing effort! Here are some snack ideas that are simple: almond butter on celery sticks, sliced apples and other sliced fruit (so it’s easier to eat), hummus sandwiches or wraps, chia pudding, even some simple rice crackers. And the Endurance Bar recipe from The Beauty Detox Foods is also great for kids. Lots of love and support! ;)
So, I’m not a vegan, but my 13 month old loves some veggies and pretty much anything else. I have followed you for some time (before lil’ bub) and I love your opinion. I take what I like and give way to what is just harder for me to do. Anyway, you’re great…he’s grown up to a handsome 11 month old. ❤️
Hello! I did baby led weaning with my now 7yr old daughter and it was amazing! So happy to see your an advocate of it and the positive effects it has on the childs self regulation.. so important! I also did attachment parenting and the security it fosters is undeniable. You are an amazing mom and such a constant inspiration! Id love to chat with you about working together or collaborating on a project with you at some stage!!
Thank you! Lots of love to you. xx
Hi Kimberly, I’ve been interested in your health philosophies for a long while now – since your Envision Beauty days! I’ve been taking your probiotic since it was launched and my question for you is do you give your baby the probiotic or do you have a different option you prefer at his age?
Hello and amazing! We are old friends :). I do open one of the SBO Beauty Detox capsules and give him 1/3. For older children I recommend 1/2 -1 capsule, which can be opened up and sprinkled on food (for Bubs I mash it into banana). You can of course ask your doctor, but soil-based organisms are in tune with our bodies, at any age. Lots of love and support!
Hi Kimberly! Ive been following your nutrition doctrine and turned vegan 3 years ago with your guidance! I also met you recently during your radiant beauty tour! :) I love this lifestyle and have been incorporating it into my 12 month old babys feeding regiment. I know for sure I will never everrrr be giving my child cows milk for all the reasons we all know it’s terrible, but I also can not breast feed past 1 year due to supply issues. What are your milk/drink alternative recommendations for toddlers 1-2 years old? For example, would Hemp Milk be sufficient to go along with a well balanced vegan toddler diet?
Hi Jennifer, I started my baby on rice milk after she was 1 year old because my family is lactose intolerant. I buy the Kirkland brand from Costco because it is unsweetened, organic, and has been fortified with the nutrients her pediatrician recommended. She has tolerated it really well. It took a couple days for her to adjust to it. I hope that helps a bit. Good luck!
Okay Kimberly…he is SO cute!
Thanks so much LJ! ;)
What an absolute bundle of sweetness. You are so blessed….. as is he to have a mama with your knowledge, character & love.
Thank you for all you do, Kimberly
Thanks so much Abbey T for your kind words and support. Sending you lots of love! ;)
Hi Kimberly,
I so enjoy your insights and applaud all of your choices. I am 63 years old and my “children” are now 30 and 28. We practiced BLW way back in the late 80s and I thought it was so much more natural and healthier than puréed foods, especially commercially-prepared foods! Both of my kids had healthy childhoods with no serious illnesses or allergies, and today are healthy, happy, busy adults leading wonderful lives in their professions. BTW, they each decided when to be fully weaned, meaning they still enjoyed cuddling and nursing at nap time and bedtime well into the toddler years. Yes, that means I was nursing both of them for a time, althought not at the SAME time! ?
I wouldn’t go back and change a thing. We all remain very close.
Much love to you and Lil’ Bub.
What a beautiful story Cathy Hardy, and thank you for sharing this with me and the Beauty community. I’m sure all of the new moms out there will appreciate reading your success story. I applaud you back for sticking with this natural way of weaning, especially during a period of time when prepared foods were so favored. Lots of love to you! ;)
Hi Kimberly, nice to read about your experiences als mom, so many similarities with my own and many memories… I have two children (13 and 10 years old) and I have both instinctively fed in this way, without knowing the existence of BLW. I have always thought that this was the natural way for babies to get their nourishment. My partner and I are vegetarians and we had always a big amount of cooked vegetables and fresh fruits for our meals and our children could always choose what and how much they wanted to eat. I have also some nice pictures with green and orange faces…
Now that they are grown up I can say that they have developed a very healthy and balanced relationship with food, they love eating and cooking, they know what they need and they don´t abuse.
Enjoy this special time with your marvelous son!
Love Grazia
Hi Grazia and thanks so much for sharing your personal experience with baby-led weaning. So happy to hear it went well for all of you and that they have a healthy relationship with food. That’s amazing. Sending you lots of love and support! ;)
Do you have any books you can recommend regarding babies? I’m due in September with my first and have no idea how to take care of kids! My mom told me babies should only have milk the first year or they’ll develop allergies. She did this with me and I have no food allergies. It’s hard to know what to believe!
Hi Amanda and congratulations…Here are a few I have listed in my Kimberly Picks page for different age groups: https://mysolluna.com/kimberlys-picks/). Don’t hesitate to check out a few books from your library too! As for all the advice that can be found out there, I think it’s best to do what you feel is right for you and your baby. Always consult your Health Care Practitioner so you know you’re receiving the best advice for you and your baby. Sending lots of love and support to you and a happy delivery! ;)
I practiced blw with my 2 younger children. So great! Zero frustration for mom and baby is happy to be in control. Both of my younger girls started “late”. My middle child started solids at 11 months! Her original favorites were bananas and oatmeal. Yes the oatmeal was messy! My experience has been the more choices a child is allowed to make (really make-not fake make in a set up teacherly way), the more confident, happy and secure they feel. Blw was one decision of very many that has helped foster those feelings for my children.
Thanks so much Michelle, for sharing your personal experience and happy to hear things are going so well for you. Keep up the great work and sending you lots of love! ;)
Hi Kimberly! I’m having twins in July, and I have been looking deeply into infant/baby nutrition and parenting styles. Attachment parenting seems the most natural way, and I had planned to wear my baby as much as you do Emerson, but that was before I found out we are having two at the same time…! Do you have any advice for baby wearing with twins?
Hi Kimberly! Thanks for sharing, I always love to hear your best practices with Lil Bubs! Can’t believe he’s almost a year!! My little one is 9 months, and though I see myself breastfeeding her over a year, I can’t help but think what the weaning process will be like…can you share any advice of how you plan to wean Lil Bubs? Thanks, Lisa
Hi Lisa and congrats on your little one. I will definitely be posting more blogs about Lil Bub in the near future. Stay connected…lots of love! ;)
Hi Kimberly, great post – thank you for sharing! I have a 5 month old and wanted to start Jim on the GGS. I know you started solids at 7 months, is that when you started the smoothie as well? And did you introduce the ingredients individually first? Thank you!!
Thanks Marlo for your great question. I actually started lil Bub around 7-8 month mark with a little bit off my finger at first – and it was all the ingredients, the actual GGS. Just keep you eye on your baby when you decide to give this a try (of course, always asking your pediatrician for a good time to start this), and make any adjustments if you find its bothering their belly. Sending lots of love and support and hoping it all goes well for you both! ;)
What do you put in your GGS when you feed it to lil Bubs? Is it the recipe from your book?
Hi kim! Im waiting for baby #2 to make their debut in the next 10 weeks. I remember doing BLW and GGS with my now 2 year old who still adores the GGS. I was wondering if now that you are deeper into your ayurveda studies if you still believe GGS to be good for small babes? Something in my mind makes me think that all that raw fruits/veggies might be too harsh for them right away? Thoughts? Also looking at traditional ayurveda diets postpartum and it avoids all raw foods. Should I push my GGS off for awhile after?