What is baby led weaning?.

A Baby led weaning is a term derived from some research done by a lady called Gill Rapley who works for UNICEF. It allows a baby to control their solid food intake by self-feeding with a wide variety of finger foods from the very beginning of the weaning process. It is suggested that it is a way of weaning your baby which is more in line with their development and helps prevent your child from becoming a fussy eater. She considers that many childhood feeding problems stem from a child's unwillingness or inability to accept foods which require chewing, and that these problems become apparent when babies move from purees to "second-stage" foods which contain lumps.

As an important guide if you have a family history of allergies, digestive problems, food intolerances, or if your baby was born prematurely, do talk to your health visitor or GP before starting. If your baby has special needs and has impaired chewing skills or fine motor skills, they might not be able to feed themselves successfully, and so baby-led weaning would not be suitable for them. Please do try to read as much as you can around baby led weaning before you try the process so you feel comfortable and confident.

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