Baby-led weaning, where parents let their baby self-feed family foods is often talked about on social media. We have been doing research over the last few years to explore whether baby led weaning has any benefits over spoon feeding.
Our findings suggest that how you feed your baby is a personal decision that should fit in with what suits your baby and family best. We think the most important part about feeding your baby is to be responsive e.g. not to encourage them to eat more if they are full, to offer a wide range of foods to try, and let them play with and handle their food- it helps them to learn!
Some parents and health professionals worry whether baby led weaning is safe or offers enough nutrients for a baby. Our research explores whether these worries are true but it is important to remember that research hasn’t had to prove whether spoon feeding is safe or sufficient and the Department of Health in the UK recommends that babies have finger foods from the start of weaning.
Our research has shown that babies who are following baby-led weaning are not more likely to choke compared to babies who are spoon fed. This research fits with what researchers in New Zealand have found in a number of different studies. However it is impossible to test this finding fully as it would be unsafe and unethical to test whether babies choke if you give them certain foods. What we can say is that amongst parents who have chosen to baby-led wean, their babies were not more likely to choke.
However you should always take precautions when you give your baby finger foods. Make sure they are sat down and sat upright. You should stay with them at all times. Most foods will be safe, but make sure you don’t give them foods that are too hard and could snap off in their mouth such as raw carrot sticks of apple slices, or foods that are hard and round such as uncut grapes of slices of sausage that could get stuck in their throat. Small hard foods such as nuts, popcorn and sweets should be avoided, as should marshmallows which could expand in their throat.
Some people worry that if babies self feed they will not eat a varied diet. We have been doing research that explores what babies eat when they are spoonfed or self feed. Our findings show that there is very little difference between the two different methods of feeding and in fact when babies self-feed they may eat a little more variety in the early months. However, this might be because the types of food parents who have chosen to baby-led wean might be offering. However, you introduce solid foods to your baby, it is important to offer them lots of different types of food including different tastes and textures. Remember weaning is a learning experience not a race to give your baby lots of food.
Find out more:
Read our article exploring whether baby led weaning will affect your baby’s diet.
Watch our animation on top 10 tips for introducing solid foods
For a comprehensive guide to the evidence behind introducing solid foods to your baby, you can read our book ‘Why starting solids matters'