Baby Knows Best

Take cues from your infant while weaning him off breastmilk. Nutrition expert Sapna Tomar outlines the principles of Baby-led Weaning (BLW) and shares essential tips to make this wonderful milestone a success.

- Sapna Tomar

BLW IS AN approach towards weaning which bypasses the traditional methods of using only puréed foods and spoon-feeding techniques. It focusses on introducing age-appropriate finger foods to your child which will allow her to feed herself. BLW has increasingly become popular amongst many parents, especially in the west. Mothers in India, however, are slowly taking to the idea and exploring it further. But it is important to understand that BLW is a personal choice to be made and discussed by parents. Furthermore, some babies will prefer to wean on traditional methods as opposed to solid foods. It is therefore essential that you monitor your child carefully and feel confident in commencing this method of weaning.

how baby-led weaning helps

This method helps in the development of your infant in more ways than one.

-BLW supports the development of hand-eye coordination, chewing, and dexterity. It also establishes healthy eating habits as babies are given the independence to self-feed early on.

-Infants are exposed to different textures, tastes, aromas and a variety of colours.