BLW vs. Purees: What’s the best way to start solids?
One of the biggest milestones for new parents is starting their baby on solid foods. It’s a big step for development, and it comes with a big question: Should I start with baby-led weaning (BLW) or purees?
These are the two main ways parents introduce solid foods to babies. BLW involves offering babies soft, safe finger foods right from the start, which encourages them to feed themselves and develop their motor skills. Puree feeding, on the other hand, involves spoon-feeding babies smooth, pureed foods.
This article will compare BLW and purees, looking at the pros, cons, and practical considerations for each. We want to give you the information you need to make the best choice for your baby and your family. Let’s dive in!
Understanding Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)
Another approach to introducing solids is called baby-led weaning, or BLW. Here’s a closer look at this feeding philosophy.
What is Baby-Led Weaning?
Baby-led weaning involves offering your baby soft, safe finger foods beginning around the age of 6 months. The idea is to let them feed themselves and explore different textures and flavors. BLW emphasizes a baby’s ability to self-regulate their food intake.
With BLW, instead of the caregiver spoon-feeding the baby, the baby takes the lead in exploring the food. This encourages independence and the development of fine motor skills. Plus, your baby can join in family mealtimes from the very beginning.
Advantages of Baby-Led Weaning
One of the biggest selling points of BLW is that it may reduce picky eating later on. Because babies are exposed to a wider variety of foods, textures, and flavors early in life, they may be more willing to try new foods as they get older.
BLW also encourages the development of hand-eye coordination and chewing and swallowing skills.
It’s easier to integrate your baby into family mealtimes, since they’re eating the same foods as everyone else (in an appropriately soft and cut-up form, of course). This can help foster a positive and social eating environment.
Challenges and Considerations for BLW
It’s important to understand the difference between gagging and choking. Gagging is a normal reflex that babies have when they’re learning to eat solids. Choking, on the other hand, is a medical emergency. Prepare foods safely by cutting them into appropriate sizes and shapes to minimize choking hazards.
It’s also vital to make sure your baby is getting enough nutrients, particularly iron and zinc. Offer iron-rich foods and talk to your pediatrician about whether supplementation is needed.
Finally, be prepared for messiness and food waste! Use bibs and floor mats, and offer small portions to minimize the amount of food that ends up on the floor (and everywhere else).
Exploring Puree Feeding
Puree feeding is the traditional way most parents have introduced solids to their infants. But what exactly does it entail?
What is Puree Feeding?
Puree feeding involves offering your baby smooth, mashed, or blended foods on a spoon. When starting out, most parents and caregivers will begin with single-ingredient purees to identify any possible allergies or sensitivities. From there, the idea is to gradually introduce more complex flavors and a wider variety of textures.
Common puree options include:
- Fruits, such as applesauce, mashed banana, and pureed pears
- Vegetables, such as sweet potato, carrots, and butternut squash
- Meat purees
Advantages of Puree Feeding
There are several reasons why parents may opt for puree feeding, including:
- Easier tracking of intake. When you’re spoon-feeding, it’s easier to see how much your baby is eating at each meal. This can be reassuring, especially when you’re concerned about whether your baby is getting enough nutrients.
- Perceived cleanliness and less food waste. Many parents find puree feeding cleaner and less wasteful than baby-led weaning, where food can end up everywhere.
- Familiarity and convenience. Puree feeding is how many of today’s parents were fed as babies, so it’s a familiar and convenient method for many.
Challenges and Considerations for Puree Feeding
While puree feeding has its advantages, there are also some challenges to consider:
- Potential for picky eating. Because purees are so smooth and uniform, your baby may not be exposed to a wide variety of textures and flavors, which could lead to picky eating later on.
- Limited motor skill development. Puree feeding doesn’t offer as many opportunities for your baby to develop fine motor skills and self-feeding abilities.
- Transitioning to table foods. Eventually, you’ll need to transition your baby to table foods, which can be challenging if they’re used to the smooth consistency of purees.
The Best of Both Worlds: Combination Feeding
There’s no need to feel like you have to pick one method over the other. It’s totally fine to combine baby-led weaning and traditional purees.
What is combination feeding?
Combination feeding is just what it sounds like: offering both purees and finger foods to your baby. It’s a flexible, balanced approach that gives you lots of options. You might serve purees at some meals and finger foods at others, or even combine them in the same meal.
What are the benefits of combination feeding?
- Flexibility. Combination feeding lets you adapt to your baby’s individual needs and what they like. If your baby is hesitant to try new textures or has specific dietary needs, you can modify the plan to fit.
- Less stress. It can relieve some of the pressure of choosing just one method.
- Well-rounded development. Babies can practice both spoon-feeding and self-feeding skills.
Considerations for combination feeding
With combination feeding, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Consistency. Try to be consistent in offering both types of foods so you don’t confuse your baby.
- Listen to your baby. Pay attention to your baby’s cues and what they seem to prefer, and let that guide your feeding choices.
Ultimately, the best approach to feeding your baby is the one that works best for both of you. Talk to your pediatrician or a registered dietitian if you have any questions or concerns.
Transitioning from purees to baby-led weaning
If you’ve been feeding your baby purees and now you’re ready to transition to a baby-led weaning approach, here’s how to do it.
Start with easy-to-grasp finger foods
Think about soft, cooked veggies, fruits, and meats that are easy for your baby to hold and chew. For example, you could try steamed broccoli florets, soft cooked carrot sticks, or slices of ripe avocado.
Offer a variety of textures and flavors
As your baby gets more confident with finger foods, you can gradually increase the variety of textures and flavors. This will help expand your baby’s palate and expose them to a wider range of nutrients.
Let your baby self-feed with purees
Even if you’re transitioning to finger foods, you can still offer purees as part of the meal. Let your baby grab a pre-loaded spoon and feed themselves. This promotes independence and helps them develop fine motor skills.
Offer purees as dips
Another way to incorporate purees is to offer them as dips for finger foods. For example, you could offer a small bowl of applesauce or yogurt for dipping carrot sticks or banana slices. This encourages exploration and self-feeding.
Be patient and encouraging
Learning to self-feed takes time and practice. Be patient and encouraging as your baby learns to navigate new textures and flavors. If they gag a little, that’s a normal part of the process as they learn how to manage solid food in their mouth.
Minimize pressure
Avoid pressuring your baby to eat. Let them explore and experiment at their own pace. The goal is to create a positive and enjoyable experience with food.
Summary
When it comes to starting solids, there’s no single right way to do it. The best method for you and your baby depends on your family’s preferences, your cultural background, and your baby’s specific needs and developmental readiness.
As you decide whether to start with baby-led weaning (BLW), purees, or a combination of both, consider what matters most to you. Are you looking for convenience, or are you willing to put up with a bit of a mess? Do you have specific nutritional concerns? What are your goals for your baby’s development, and how might different feeding methods support those goals?
Ultimately, the most important thing is to trust your instincts and create a positive and enjoyable feeding experience for both you and your baby. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your pediatrician or a registered dietitian. They can help you navigate the world of solid foods and ensure that your baby is getting the nutrients they need to thrive.