Healthy Baby

 Is Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) a Modern or Traditional Approach? At first glance, Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) might seem like a modern trend, yet its roots are far more ancient than most people realize. While the term itself was coined by Gill Rapley in the early 2000s, the concept is anything but new. Historically, before the advent of commercial baby foods and purees, infants transitioned to solid foods by joining family meals, exploring and tasting foods at their own pace. They would grab whatever was within reach – a piece of bread, a chunk of vegetable, or even bits of meat. There were no specially prepared purees or spoon-feeding marathons. Babies were simply encouraged to eat what the family ate, learning through observation and imitation. Interestingly, this approach aligns closely with the natural developmental milestones of babies. Around six months, babies gain the ability to sit up unassisted, develop the pincer grasp, and show curiosity about food. Isn’t it fascinating how biol...

 Eggs and BLW Hello, dear parents! Today, let’s talk about eggs and their role in baby-led weaning (BLW). Are they a good choice? How should they be introduced? What should you watch out for? And, of course, I’ll share two delicious egg-based recipes for your little one at the end. So, grab a cup of coffee (if your baby lets you), and let’s dive in! BLW and Sleep: Is There a Connection? Before we get into the egg talk, let’s address something every parent obsesses over: sleep. Is there any food that magically helps babies sleep better? Unfortunately, no. But nutrition plays a role. Eggs are rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that helps produce serotonin and melatonin—two hormones that regulate sleep. Some parents swear that offering eggs for dinner helps their babies sleep longer. While there's no solid scientific proof, it's worth experimenting (as long as there are no allergies). And let’s be honest, if sleep was purely about food, we’d all be feeding our babies gallons of cha...

Fruit Recipes Your Baby Will Love Starting solids with Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is often a thrilling, sometimes chaotic journey. You’re introducing your little one to the wonderful world of flavors and textures, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. What should you give them first? How do you make sure it’s safe? And most importantly, how do you make it enjoyable for both of you? Luckily, fruits are a great place to start, offering natural sweetness, vibrant colors, and loads of nutrition. Plus, they are easy to prepare, making them perfect for the BLW experience! In this post, we’re diving into the juicy world of BLW-friendly fruit options and sharing five easy, baby-approved fruit recipes that will have your little one reaching for more. Let’s get started! Why Fruit is a BLW Game-Changer Have you ever noticed how babies can get fixated on the simplicity of holding a piece of fruit? It’s fascinating, really. Fruits are not only packed with essential vitamins and minerals, but they’re a...

5 Easy and Nutritious Veggie BLW Recipes Your Baby Will Love Introducing solids to your baby is an exciting (and sometimes messy!) journey. If you're following Baby-Led Weaning (BLW), you know how important it is to offer a variety of textures and flavors to encourage self-feeding. Vegetables are a great way to provide essential nutrients while expanding your little one's palate. Here are five easy, nutritious, and baby-friendly veggie-based BLW recipes that will make mealtime both fun and healthy. Plus, I'll share some personal experiences, tips, and things to watch out for along the way! 1. Sweet Potato and Carrot Fritters These soft and naturally sweet fritters are packed with vitamin A, making them perfect for little hands to grab and explore.  blw potatoes and blw carrots are among the most preferred baby foods in the world. Ingredients 1 medium sweet potato, grated 1 medium carrot, grated 1 egg 2 tbsp whole wheat flour (or oat flour for a gluten-free option) ½ tsp c...

What Do Experts Say About BLW? BLW (Baby-Led Weaning) has continued to stay relevant in recent times. It’s a topic I’ve discussed many times in social settings, with family, and even with my colleagues. However, there is one aspect that we sometimes overlook when talking about it: Science. What do scientific studies say about this? The real experts in this conversation should be nutritionists, dieticians, doctors, and academics, don’t you think? I created this post with that very need in mind. To do this, I had to conduct an extensive search through the internet and library resources. I hope you enjoy reading it: Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is an approach to introducing solid foods that allows infants to self-feed from the start, bypassing traditional spoon-feeding of purees. This method has garnered attention from healthcare professionals and researchers, leading to various studies and expert opinions on its benefits and potential drawbacks. Benefits of Baby-Led Weaning 1. Enhanced Motor D...

What Should You Start With? Introducing solid foods to your baby is an exciting yet overwhelming journey. Many parents find themselves wondering: Which foods should I start with? Is my baby getting enough nutrients? Can I combine traditional feeding with BLW? These are all valid concerns, and in this article, we’ll dive deep into these questions. Which Foods Are Best for Starting BLW? When it comes to BLW (Baby-Led Weaning), the golden rule is to offer soft, easy-to-grip foods that babies can safely explore. Think about foods that are naturally soft or can be cooked to the right texture—something that squishes easily between your fingers but doesn’t fall apart instantly. Avocados, bananas, steamed carrots, sweet potatoes, and soft-cooked broccoli are all great choices. Protein sources like scrambled eggs, flaked fish, and tender-cooked chicken strips can also be introduced early on. Whole foods that are rich in iron, such as lentils or mashed beans, help meet the baby’s nutritiona...

A Healthy Choice or a Risky Trend? It started like this: A friend casually mentioned "BLW" over coffee, and I nodded as if I knew exactly what she was talking about. But later, curiosity got the best of me. I found myself down an internet rabbit hole, scrolling through pages of smiling babies gripping pieces of avocado and gnawing on broccoli florets. Baby-led weaning—sounds fancy, but what does it really mean? More importantly, is it actually healthy? What Exactly is BLW? At its core, Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is a method of introducing solids where babies skip purées altogether and start with whole foods they can grasp and self-feed. No more airplane spoon tricks, no more blending carrots into an unrecognizable orange mush. Instead, you hand your baby a steamed piece of sweet potato, and they figure it out. They explore textures, learn to chew, and develop fine motor skills—at least, that’s the idea. It’s a stark contrast to the traditional spoon-fed approach, which has be...

Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) Let Your Baby Take the Lead & Two Delicious Recipes The first time I heard about Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) , I was skeptical. A baby feeding itself? No purées? No tiny spoon airplane flying toward an open mouth? It sounded chaotic. But then I saw a friend’s six-month-old confidently grasping a piece of avocado, mashing it between tiny fingers, and—surprise—actually eating it. No force, no struggle. Just pure, messy exploration. That’s when I started digging. What does BLW mean? Is it safe? When to start BLW? And most importantly—how does it actually work? If you’re wondering the same things, let’s dive in. Oh, and stick around for two easy BLW recipes at the end—because let’s be real, we all need some fresh meal ideas. What Does BLW Mean? A Different Way to Introduce Solids BLW, or Baby-Led Weaning , flips traditional feeding on its head. Instead of spoon-feeding purées, you offer your baby soft, graspable foods and let them explore, chew, and self-feed ....