Baby-led Weaning
Time to wean your baby? Want to get it right - then our experts Helen and Ann will guide you to give your baby the nutrition and the enjoyment he or she needs, while keeping your own work to a minimum, following your baby, with Baby Led Weaning. A free group for mums, dads and babies.
The basic philosophy of Baby Led Weaning, or BLW is - skip the puree, the mash, the ice cube trays, the gradual transition to lumpy food, and simply present your baby with a selection of whole foods to play with. A ‘picnic’ is created of fruit, steamed vegetables, meat, fish, bread, scrambled egg (fairly solid egg!) allowing them to choose what they like (of course you will only lay out nutritious foods!).
Although BLW is all of a sudden ‘in vogue’ it is not a new concept as this is normal practice in other cultures and it often happens by accident as babies are naturally inquisitive and grab food off their mum’s or siblings' plates.
BLW is great for baby because it:
- Empowers baby to make the right food choices - not just now but in later years
- Improves hand-eye coordination and general dexterity
- Allows them to explore different tastes, textures, colours and smells
- Good intake of vitamins and minerals from gnawing and sucking the food!
- It reduces the risk of choking because baby is in control of what they put in their mouth
- Emotionally it is better because for some babies it can be daunting when a spoon is coming toward them and they feel they are not in control
Baby Led Weaning is great for mum and dad because:
- It saves the arduous task of pureeing and freezing little ice cube portions of food
- No cooking separate meals for the rest of the family
- No blender/food processor or ice cube trays just you, baby, table cloth and an apron for the mess!
- More convenient to eat out in a restaurant or friends house because baby can simply sit on mums lap and eat
- More enjoyable to watch baby help themselves and take control rather than feeling that you are having to ‘coerce’ them into eating the food with rhymes and funny faces!
- Can be combined with traditional weaning if that’s preferable
There is no right or wrong way to wean – you need to follow what is right for baby and for you – be experimental – you can always revert back to traditional weaning or combine both methods – most of all have fun and enjoy the journey.
When?
Helen will speak at the Viveka Babies &Toddlers Afternoons, June 2 and July 7; 2-3pm
Cost?
£5
Find out more about Helen Heap and Ann Herreboudt
