Posted by Teaser Company
on April 26, 2025
Introduction:
The moment you decide to start your baby on solids, the next big question pops up:
Should I spoon-feed purees, or let my baby self-feed with chunks of food?
This brings us to two popular methods—Traditional Weaning and Baby-Led Weaning (BLW).
Both come with their own set of pros, challenges, and philosophies. Let's break it down so you can confidently choose what works best for your baby—and you.
📖 What is Traditional Weaning?
|
Aspect |
Traditional Weaning |
|
Method |
Parents/caregivers spoon-feed mashed or pureed food to baby |
|
Food progression |
Starts with smooth purees → mashed → soft solids → finger foods |
|
Parent control |
Parent decides what, when, and how much baby eats |
|
Common first foods |
Pureed veggies, fruits, rice cereal, lentils |
🍼 What is Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)?
|
Aspect |
Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) |
|
Method |
Baby feeds themselves with soft, graspable chunks of food |
|
Food progression |
Starts directly with solids that baby can hold (e.g., steamed carrot sticks) |
|
Baby control |
Baby decides what, how much, and how fast to eat |
|
Common first foods |
Steamed veggies, soft fruits, boiled eggs, toast strips |
🔍 Comparison at a Glance
|
Feature |
Traditional Weaning |
BLW |
|
Control over feeding |
Parent-led |
Baby-led |
|
Messiness |
Less messy |
Messier |
|
Gag reflex training |
Develops later |
Earlier—helps build chewing & swallowing skills |
|
Risk of choking |
Low if foods are pureed well |
Low if proper foods are given; gagging is normal |
|
Food exposure |
Slower |
Greater variety from early on |
|
Mealtime involvement |
More passive for baby |
Encourages independence & coordination |
|
Parental anxiety level |
May feel more in control |
May feel uncertain initially |
💭 Real-Life Example:
“We started with purees and it was great because I felt in control of what she was eating. But around 8 months, we mixed in BLW-style foods and suddenly, mealtime became more interactive. She loved feeding herself!”
— Aarti, mom of 10-month-old twins
✅ Pros & Cons
|
Method |
✅ Pros |
⚠️ Cons |
|
Traditional Weaning |
Familiar, predictable, easier to track intake |
May delay self-feeding skills |
|
Can start earlier in smaller amounts |
More parental control, less baby exploration |
|
|
BLW |
Encourages independence and coordination |
Messy, and initially less food might be consumed |
|
Baby explores textures, flavors firsthand |
Requires patient supervision and safe food choices |
👶 Is One Method Better?
Nope! It truly depends on your baby and your lifestyle.
|
If you… |
Consider… |
|
Worry about choking or mess |
Starting with traditional and slowly blending BLW |
|
Have a baby who grabs everything off your plate |
Starting with BLW may feel natural |
|
Want to track iron or nutrition intake |
Traditional weaning gives you more control |
|
Like a balanced approach |
A combo of both is totally acceptable! |
🧠 Pediatrician Tip:
“There’s no one ‘right’ way. BLW helps build skills and interest in food, but nutrition is key. Iron-rich foods, supervision, and age-appropriate textures matter more than method.”
— Dr. Radhika Nair, Pediatrician
📋 Checklist: Safe BLW Foods to Start With
|
✅ Best First Foods |
❌ Avoid These |
|
Steamed carrot sticks |
Whole grapes |
|
Avocado slices |
Nuts or nut chunks |
|
Soft banana or pear |
Raw carrots or apples |
|
Boiled egg wedges |
Anything round, hard, or sticky |
|
Toast fingers with ghee |
Salted or sugary packaged snacks |
✨ Final Thought:
Whichever method you choose, the goal is the same:
Helping your baby explore, enjoy, and eventually love food.
There’s space for structure and freedom, for spoon-feeding and self-feeding.
You don’t have to choose sides—you can just follow your baby’s lead.