Like everything in parenting, there are a million ways to do things. When it came to introducing solids, I had to figure out what worked best for us. Since I exclusively pump, my twins drink bottles, and because they were born early, they’re in early intervention, meaning milestones happen on their own timeline. So, when I started thinking about how to transition to solids long-term, I took a friend’s advice and went with baby-led weaning (BLW)—and I’m so glad I did.
What is Baby-Led Weaning?
BLW skips spoon-feeding purees and instead lets babies self-feed from the start. They get real food in appropriate shapes and textures and learn to chew, explore, and decide how much they want to eat. Basically, it puts babies in charge of eating—just like they regulate how much milk they drink.
Of course, there are parts of BLW that feel totally counterintuitive (and maybe a little scary). Babies have to learn how to gag—which is very different from choking! It’s their body’s way of figuring out how to move food around safely. The first few times, it can make your heart stop, but like with everything else, they learn at their own pace.
The Tools That Made It Easier
A few things made BLW a lot more manageable for us:
- EZPZ Silicone Cups – We skipped sippy cups altogether and went straight to open cups and straws. This helped them develop oral motor skills and made using food pouches on the go way easier.
- The Book: “Baby-Led Weaning” – Listening to the audio book gave me confidence that my babies could just eat what I eat. That meant way less mental load—no extra meal planning, no making separate food just for them. They eat what’s on my plate, and we all move on with our day.
What the Research Says
BLW has some cool benefits:
- Encourages self-regulation – Babies decide how much to eat, which can help with better appetite control and possibly lower the risk of obesity.
- Promotes independence – Handling food on their own builds fine motor skills and coordination.
- Makes for adventurous eaters – Because they get exposed to different textures and flavors early on, they tend to be less picky later.
The Hardest Part? Grandparents.
If you’ve ever watched a grandparent try to feed a baby, you know they love flying the spoon into their mouth like an airplane. BLW can be a hard sell for them because it’s so different from what they did. It helps to explain the why behind it, let them see the babies in action, and reassure them that no, they won’t starve without someone spooning food into their mouth.
The Best Part? My Kids Eat Everything.
At 10 months adjusted, my twins are solid eaters. They chow down on a huge variety of foods and—thanks to baby sign language—they can tell me when they’re done or when they want more. It takes the guesswork out of mealtimes and makes the whole experience more enjoyable.
At the end of the day, parenting is hard enough, so why not make things a little easier? BLW has been a win for us, and if it’s something you’re considering, I say go for it! 🚀
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