Reflections on our baby-led weaning (BLW) experience...

Eating just like any other toddler, whether spoonfed or BLW.

No matter how you decide to feed your baby they're all going to wind up doing the same thing: eating. Our family chose the BLW method. Would I choose to do it again? Definitely. Do I see the allure of spoon-feeding? Yeah! I admit that I will spoon feed Tristan yogurt when we're in a hurry and I think, awhh, I like this feeling! and then I feel as though I might have missed out on an experience. But since you can't do both (well, I guess there is hybrid-BLW, but you know what I mean) either way you're choosing your own adventure.

Here are some things I liked about BLW, followed by some things I didn't.

Baby led weaning rocked because...

• we could all eat as a family.


• it was a time-saver (see above).


• it was easy.


• he tried everything.


• he was exposed to more opportunities to practice fine motor skills.


• spoon/fork control went well (we'd load, but never put it into his mouth for him).


• it was bonding.


• he got to have his own Thanksgiving turkey leg at 8 months old (6 adjusted).

BLW didn't work in these ways...

• he became a picky eater, while BLW will have you believe that won't happen. 


• he became anemic. Unofficial sources will have you believe that breastfeeding and BLW will provide all the vitamins and minerals a baby needs so put down the vitamin drops! NO! wait, stop, don't quit vitamins! [However, his latest iron stats are fantastic thanks to the invention of Iron Cakes].

I wish it was as mainstream here as it is in the UK. People seemed constantly confused when the principles are simple (which is because it's uncommon). 

Eating as a family while Tristan had control over his own meals and could participate in "talking" was priceless for us. If you have a little one and are considering BLW as your route I'd say go for it and enjoy! 

...but remember their vitamins.