BLW (Baby Led Weaning) is a method where you introduce solid foods through finger foods and avoid purees and spoon feeding. The child is allowed to eat independently from the beginning. So you rely on the child's natural instinct to bring food to the mouth.
You can also mix spoon feeding with independent eating of complementary foods, then it is not BLW. But good effects and benefits can still be achieved whether you offer BLW only or mix it😊
BLW gives children the opportunity to explore a variety of textures and consistencies at their own pace. This can lead to a healthier relationship with food and more enjoyment, although more research is needed in this area. On the other hand, most children enter a more picky phase (neophobic phase) between 12 and 18 months, and you know that during this time the appearance of food is very important to the child's acceptance. If the food was introduced in different forms before the neophobic phase, the general acceptance of the food may still be greater later on 👶 🥦
Children who are allowed to eat BLW at an early age also develop early chewing skills. Withholding foods that have a specific texture and cannot be chewed may delay the development of these skills.
There is also some research that suggests BLW may lead to better appetite control and a lower risk of obesity later in life. This is because the child himself can regulate his food intake according to his appetite and then usually does not overeat.
We find that choosing foods feels very natural and is also convenient because the whole family can eat the same thing and you do not have to feed the baby. It's also so much fun to accompany the baby on his journey of discovery with food. It may not always be easy, but we think it's worth it. We hope that by encouraging the baby to eat, he or she will develop a great love for food. We can never know for sure, but we would like to believe it🥰