How to Baby Led Wean

Make sure your baby is ready
Most babies will not be ready until they are 6 months.  They are probably ready if they can:

• sit up more or less independently
• pick up food sized items accurately and put them to their mouth
• move food to the back of their mouth ie they have lost the tongue thrust reflex that prevents choking in young babies

If you have a history of allergies in your family or your baby was premature or has a medical condition seek medical advice before starting.

Relax and go at baby's pace.
From 6 months to a year old milk is still your baby's main nutrition (boob or bottle).  When you are having a meal offer baby some of the food (assuming it is low in salt and sugar). I recommend putting the food on the table or tray in front of them; plates are just something else to try and eat. It doesn't matter if they ignore it, squish it, suck it or throw it on the floor: it's all part of the process.  To make it easier for your baby make first foods stick shaped so they can hold them in their hand with a bit sticking out they can eat.

Prepare for mess.
Eating at the beginning is about exploration and this will get messy.  During the meal let your baby make mess and only tidy up when they are finished.  The easier it is to clean your baby, the chair and the floor the more you will enjoy the BLW process. I use the Ikea Antilop chair and tray which is super easy to wipe clean.  I also put Baby M in old clothes, fabric bibs and place old cot sheets on the floor under the chair.  After a messy meal I stick these to soak in a bucket with Napisan. After putting them in the washing machine and drying in sunlight all but the toughest stains (like tomato and banana) are removed.

Enjoy
Weaning should be fun for everyone