We introduced Harry to solids using a method called Baby-Led Weaning. Most methods for transitioning a baby to solids begin with purees and slowly increase the chunk factor. Baby-Led Weaning starts with over sized chunks. From day one, the infant learns to self-feed with spear-shaped pieces of gummable foods. This teaches him to chew before swallowing. It also turns first meals into tactile experiences (and therefore makes food seem enjoyable). And it encourages the development of fine motor skills like hand-eye coordination and the pincer grasp, while providing the satisfaction that comes from being actively in control, rather than passive and dependent.
Baby-Led Weaning takes its cues from breast-feeding: You offer; your baby does the rest. This puts him in charge of how much he eats, unlike spoon-feeding, which relies on you to figure out when your baby has had enough.
You’re probably thinking: Won’t my baby choke on chunks? It’s no more likely than with spoon-feeding. Although in the beginning she may gag (and scare the pants off of you in the process), your baby won’t actually be able to move the food to the back of her mouth until she’s learned to gum it. The gagging is just a sign that your baby is learning how to use her tongue to maneuver food.
Getting Started
Time it right
Once your baby is able to sit up unassisted, pick up food, and move it
to his mouth, he’s ready. Most infants are developmentally ready for
Baby-Led Weaning at around six months, but it’s a good idea to consult
your pediatrician first, especially if you delivered pre-term or there
are other health issues.
Which foods?
Fruits and vegetables make ideal first foods - boil hard items like
carrots until they’re soft but not mushy. You can also give your baby
strips of cooked meat to suck and gnaw. (See more)
Shape matters
Consider the shape of the food and how it fits into your baby’s hand.
Spear-shaped strips and foods that have natural “handles” (like a small
broccoli stalk) work best. Each piece should extend several inches out
of the baby’s fist. Do not cut food into bite-size pieces.
Messes rock
Until
his motor control improves, your baby will drop what’s in his fist as
he reaches for a fresh piece. And he probably won’t swallow all that
much initially. But that’s okay: At this stage, babies are exploring
food’s many tastes and textures, not eating for nourishment, which they
are still getting from milk. Suggestion: spread a tarp or garbage bag
under the high chair.
Hands off
Resist the urge to help your baby get food into her mouth. Baby-Led
Weaning is all about allowing her to control her own intake - her
skills will improve faster if you stand back.
Repeat first tastes
If he rejects broccoli (or anything else) the first time, keep offering
it. Experts say it can take a dozen or more exposures before a baby
realizes he likes something.
Quench that thirst
It's easy to forget that, even as they transition to solids, babies
still get thirsty as well as hungry. If you’re nursing, continue to
breast-feed on demand. If she's more thirsty than hungry, your baby
will nurse briefly - she knows that the first milk is quite thin. Since
bottle-fed babies don’t have that option, offer a small cup of water.
Listen up!
Two safety notes: Only feed your baby when he’s in an upright position, and never leave him alone with his food.
Perfect First Solid Foods For baby
- Ripe pear or avocado, or just-ripe banana, cut into spears
- Lightly steamed green beans, carrot sticks, or broccoli florets (stalk attached)
- Baked sweet-potato fries
- Egg yolk omelet, cut into strips
- Long strips of dark-meat chicken or steak (for gnawing rather than eating)
- Soft spear-shaped pasta, like penne
- Polenta sticks