From purees to finger foods
For decades, starting solids meant spoon-feeding purees peas, carrots, applesauce. But a growing number of parents are embracing baby-led weaning (BLW), a method that skips purees and encourages babies to self-feed soft finger foods from the start.
It’s messy (yes, avocado everywhere!) but it can also be fun, empowering, and surprisingly beneficial for your little one’s development.
What is baby-led weaning?
Baby-led weaning means letting your baby explore whole foods like soft-cooked veggies, ripe fruit slices, or small strips of chicken rather than being spoon-fed. The baby learns to:
- Self-feed with hands (and later utensils)
- Regulate appetite by eating at their own pace
- Explore textures and practice chewing skills early
When can you start?
Experts recommend waiting until your baby shows signs of readiness, usually around 6 months old:
- Can sit up with little support
- Has good head and neck control
- Shows interest in food (reaches for your plate!)
- Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex (doesn’t automatically push food out)
⚠️ Always consult your pediatrician before starting solids.
Benefits of BLW
- Motor skills: Picking up foods builds hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
- Food variety: Babies often accept more textures and flavors early on.
- Family meals: No special purees just baby-friendly versions of what the family eats.
- Confidence & independence: Babies learn to trust their hunger and satiety cues.
Safety tips for BLW
- Size matters: Offer foods in stick or strip shapes about the size of your finger, easy for baby to grab.
- Texture is key: Cook veggies until soft; avoid raw hard foods (like carrots or apples) until later.
- Choking vs. gagging: Gagging is common and normal as babies learn. True choking is silent and requires immediate action. Consider an infant CPR class for peace of mind.
- Allergens: Introduce one new food at a time, especially common allergens like eggs, peanuts, or dairy.
Easy starter foods for Florida families 🌴
- Ripe avocado slices (messy, but perfect texture!)
- Steamed sweet potato sticks
- Ripe mango or papaya slices (common local fruits)
- Soft scrambled eggs
- Shredded chicken or salmon
- Banana halves with part of the peel left on for grip
Local support in South Florida
- Lactation consultants often double as BLW coaches.
- Parent & baby classes at local centers in Miami and Broward frequently include solid food readiness workshops.
- Farmers markets are goldmines for fresh, seasonal produce perfect for BLW.
Final thoughts
Baby-led weaning isn’t all-or-nothing. Some families do a mix of spoon-feeding and BLW and that’s perfectly fine. The goal isn’t a clean highchair (good luck with that!) but raising a curious, confident eater.
