A Simple Guide for Curious, Modern Parents
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is a gentle, intuitive approach to introducing solids. Instead of spoon-feeding purées, babies are offered soft, age-appropriate finger foods from the family table, and they feed themselves at their own pace.
It’s not just about food, it’s about freedom, exploration, and letting little ones build skills naturally.
🍌 When Can You Start?
You can begin baby-led weaning from around 6 months old, as long as your baby:
- Can sit up unassisted
- Shows interest in food
- Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex
- Has good hand-to-mouth coordination
There’s no need for teeth just soft textures, safe shapes, and supervision.
🥑 How to Start Baby-Led Weaning
Here’s how to make those first meals smoother (and safer):
- Start with soft foods
Think: steamed veg, ripe fruit, mashed avocado, banana fingers, or soft sticks of sweet potato. - Offer grip-friendly shapes
Babies use their whole hand at first (palmar grasp), so stick shapes about the length of your little finger are ideal. - One food at a time
Introduce single ingredients to watch for any sensitivities. - Skip the salt, sugar, and honey
Their kidneys and gut aren’t ready for the extras yet. - Let your baby lead
It’s okay if they don’t eat much; mealtime is about exploration, not perfection.
🍽 How Balmy Dove Products Support Baby-Led Weaning
Every spoon, plate, and bowl is created to make this journey easier for both baby and parent.
✅ Suction Plates – Divided sections encourage variety and keep everything in place.
✅ Silicone Utensils – Gentle on gums, with choke guards for safe self-feeding.
✅ Inclined Bowls – Help babies learn to scoop with confidence.
✅ Matching Bibs – Because let’s be honest… It’s gonna get messy.
✅ Kits & Sets – Curated for different stages so you’re always one step ahead.
All of our products are made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone, dishwasher safe, and built for daily use because we know parenting isn’t always gentle, but your tools can be.
💬 Final Thoughts
Baby-led weaning is more than a method, it’s a mindset. It’s trusting your baby, celebrating the mess, and letting them discover food at their rhythm.
At Balmy Dove, we’re here to support you with tools that grow with your little one, from those first “what is this?” bites to confident toddler munching.
Want to learn more?
Check out our full Beginner Bites Collection or browse our weaning tools to build your kit.