Baby-Led Weaning: How to Start, Safe Food Shapes and a First Two Weeks

BLW, purees, or a mix

• Baby-led weaning (BLW): the baby feeds themselves soft, safely shaped food from the first meal. Spoon feeding: an adult offers purees, then lumps. Many families mix the two.
• The AAP doesn't favor one method. What matters is safe textures, iron, variety and following the baby's cues. In a New Zealand trial where families were taught safe food shapes, choking was no more common with baby-led feeding than with spoon feeding. Gagging was more frequent at 6 months with baby-led feeding, but less frequent by 8 months.
• In that trial, about a third of babies in both groups choked at least once, and many were offered risky foods. Shape, texture and supervision matter whichever way you feed.
• For the spoon-fed route, see the purees and textures guide.

Is your baby ready?

Around 6 months, when all of these are true: - Sits upright with little or no support, with steady head and neck control. - No longer pushes food straight back out with the tongue. - Shows interest: reaches for food and opens their mouth. - Babies born early or with medical needs may need a plan from their care team.

Shapes by age

• About 6 to 8 months: strips about the size of an adult finger, so the baby can grip them in a fist with some sticking out: soft sweet potato wedges, avocado or banana spears, omelet strips, soft meat strips to suck on, toast fingers thinly spread with nut butter.
• About 9 months on: as the pincer grasp arrives, add small, soft pieces about the size of a chickpea.
• The squish test: early foods should squash easily between thumb and finger.
• No hard, round or sticky foods: whole nuts, whole grapes, raw apple or carrot, popcorn, hot dog rounds, globs of nut butter. See the choking guide.

Iron first

Iron stores run low around 6 months, so offer an iron-rich food most meals: meat, poultry, fish, egg, beans, lentils, tofu, or iron-fortified cereal. Pair plant iron with a vitamin C food (tomato, berries, peppers) to help absorption.

Set up for safety

• Seat: upright in a high chair, feet on a footrest, tray at about belly height. Not reclined, not in a car seat or bouncer, not on the move.
• Never leave the baby alone with food. An adult sits within reach the whole meal, whoever is caring for the baby that day.
• Gagging is normal: loud, red-faced, food coming forward; don't reach in. Choking is silent. Learn infant choking first aid before you start.

Milk still comes first

• Breast milk or formula is the main food until about 12 months; early solids are practice. Offer sips of water from an open or straw cup with meals (see the cups and milk guide).

A sample first two weeks

• Days 1-4: one meal a day when the baby is alert, two or three items: a broccoli floret, a sweet potato wedge, a strip of slow-cooked beef.
• Days 5-9: rotate omelet strips, avocado, a soft salmon patty, ripe pear spears. Work in common allergens one at a time (see the introducing allergens guide).
• Days 10-14: add a second meal if the baby is keen, using family food set aside before salting. Your family's cuisine and spices are welcome; skip added salt and sugar.

Mess and pacing

• Expect most food on the floor at first. Let the baby set the pace, about 10 to 20 minutes, and stop when they turn away. Eat together; don't put food in their mouth for them.

When to check in

• Mention it at the next checkup if gagging often leads to vomiting or refusal after a month or two, little food is eaten by about 9 months, or weight stalls.
• If your baby truly chokes (can't cough, cry or breathe), start infant choking first aid and call 911.