I have started introducing solid foods to my second child, so I am revisiting useful resources or recalling what helped me with Emma. A very useful resource for me is the book Baby-led weaning.
Disclaimer:
Please note that this opinion is personal and not a recommendation. The methods used in the book may expose the child to certain risks, so I recommend reading the book itself rather than relying solely on reviews or opinions found on the internet. It is important to adapt the methods described in the book only if you feel comfortable with them
Baby-led weaning – general overview
In this valuable book, I learned that starting diversification is not just about food itself, but also about the emotional needs of the child. I chose the self-diversification method with my daughter and it was the best decision, both for her and for me. This method involves a lot of mess and dirty clothes, but reading the book, I realized that it is about the child’s ability to test new textures, colors, and smells. In the first 3 months, babies don’t yet know that what they are offered is food, everything is just play for them. It seems very important to let them get dirty with food, smell it, taste it, and decide if they like it or not, but at the same time, it can also be seen if they have allergic reactions.
“Baby-led Weaning” is a method of gradually introducing solid foods into a child’s diet in a way that respects their signals and developmental pace. This approach was developed by Gil Rapley and Tracey Murkett and is described in their book “Natural Diversification: A Guide to a Healthy and Natural Baby’s Diet“.
According to this method, the introduction of solid foods into a baby’s diet should be gradual, starting at the age of six months when the baby is capable of sitting and eating solid foods. Instead of quickly transitioning to spoon feeding and introducing new foods in a forced manner, this approach encourages the child to develop their own eating skills by exploring solid foods in a natural and safe way.
This method involves offering solid foods to the child in a non-directive and non-forced manner. The child is allowed to choose how much and when they want to eat, and is not pressured to eat more than they want. In addition, natural and unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients and offer a variety of tastes and textures are promoted.
Offering solid foods gradually and non-forced is essential in “Baby-led Weaning”. In this regard, parents should offer new foods to their child gradually, so that they have time to get used to the taste, texture, and smell. It is also important to offer a variety of foods so that the child receives a wide range of nutrients and develops their food preferences.
An example of introducing solid foods in a non-directive way would be to offer the child small pieces of food that they can take and put in their mouth on their own, according to their own desire. For example, a child could be allowed to explore small pieces of an apple or a slice of avocado, and parents could observe how the child develops their eating skills and forms their preferences.
In addition, unprocessed foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables can be gradually introduced into the child’s diet, depending on the season and availability. For example, at first, the child could receive purees of sweet potatoes or carrots, then move on to larger pieces of vegetables and fruits.
The book “Baby-led Weaning” A Guide to a Healthy and Natural Baby’s Diet” is structured into 5 chapters, each addressing different aspects related to the diversification of a baby’s diet.
Short summary of the chapters
- Chapter 1: Why Choose Baby-led Weaning? In this chapter, the authors explain the advantages of natural weaning for a baby’s diet, as well as the reasons why this approach can be more beneficial than other methods of introducing solid foods. For example, the importance of respecting a baby’s signals of satiety, the long-term impact of healthy eating habits, and the reduction of the risk of obesity and food allergies are discussed.
- Chapter 2: When to Start Weaning? In this chapter, the authors provide information on the appropriate time to start weaning a baby onto solid foods. They explain why around 6 months of age is considered optimal for introducing solid foods and offer advice on developmental signs that indicate a baby is ready to begin eating solid foods.
- Chapter 3: How to Start Weaning? This chapter offers practical suggestions and examples for introducing solid foods into a baby’s diet. It discusses suitable first foods, how to prepare and offer them, and how to adapt them based on each baby’s preferences and abilities.
- Chapter 4: How to Progress in Weaning? This chapter addresses how a baby’s diet can be diversified gradually and adapted to their needs and abilities. It discusses new foods that can be introduced, how to transition from purees to larger pieces of food, and how to manage food preferences and refusals.
- Chapter 5: How to Stay on Track? In this chapter, the authors offer tips and suggestions for maintaining a healthy diet for the baby, as well as overcoming obstacles and challenges related to weaning. It discusses how to integrate a baby’s diet into their daily routine, how to manage processed foods, and how to adapt to changes in a baby’s food preferences and habits. Additionally, it offers tips for parents on how to be involved in the weaning process and ensure their baby’s diet remains healthy and balanced.
Overall, “Baby-led Weaning” is an excellent book for parents who want to learn more about introducing solid foods into a baby’s diet in a natural and also in a safe way if a correct approach is used and precautions are taken. This approach can help develop healthy eating habits in the long term, reduce the risk of obesity and food allergies, and improve the relationship between the baby and food
