Introducing Solids: Baby-Led Weaning vs. Purees

Estimated time to read 5 minutes

Introducing solids is a phase that invokes a lot of emotions for parents - excitement, anxiety, and even a little bit of sadness as it comes as a sign that your little one is growing up. This phase also comes with some decisions - when to start, what to offer, and what approach to take. We've previously shared our do's and dont's for introducing solids so now we're focusing on what approach to take.

There are different approaches to introducing solids or "complementary feeding" as it is sometimes called as initial solids are intended to complement the nutrients and energy provided by breast milk or formula to support proper growth and development starting at around 6 months.

Some families choose to offer purees while others choose a newer approach known as baby-led weaning (BLW), while some do a combination of both that’s called Baby-Led Introduction to Solids (BLISS). All three approaches have their benefits, and we break them down below:

The benefits of baby-led weaning

• Enhances baby’s sensory experience: Exposure to different foods with different textures provides a more comprehensive sensory experience. Baby is exposed to different colors, smells, and textures, and they’re able to learn to recognize types of food by these characteristics.
• Provides convenience and connection: It’s easier when baby can eat the same as the rest of the family. It also encourages families to eat together, which has benefits far beyond nutrition.
• Teaches self-regulation: Allowing baby to control what and how much she eats may support the responsiveness to internal hunger and satiety cues, leading to better energy self-regulation. Studies have shown that better self-regulation is associated with a lower risk of obesity.
• Supports motor development: Learning to grasp food and bring it to the mouth helps to develop baby’s motor skills.

The benefits of purees

• Easier to provide more nutrient intake: Purees may offer more opportunity for nutrient density and variety as we can better manage nutrients in the food. This is especially important with proteins like meat, which are essential at this age.
• More efficiency: Generally, more food gets in the belly rather than on baby or on the floor.
• Less risk of choking: Purees have less risk of gagging and choking as they’re slightly thicker than the milk or formula baby is accustomed to.

The best of both worlds

You don’t have to be die-hard BLW or die-hard purees - you can do both! Offering a combination of food types, textures, and flavors is beneficial. The key is to still let baby self-feed as much as possible. Instead of spooning food into baby’s mouth repetitively, wait for cues from them that they’re ready to eat.

This hybrid approach, known as Baby-Led Introduction to Solids (BLISS), combines the benefits of both:

• Maximizes nutrient density: Provides the best opportunity for optimal nutrient intake.
• Provides a valuable sensory experience: Baby still self-feeds to learn motor skills.
• Cultivates togetherness and positivity: Encourages family meals and positive relationships with food.
• Lowers choking risk: Helps maintain benefits of both approaches.
• Provides flexibility: Adjusts to different scenarios, allowing you to choose what works best in various situations.

Do what works for you

No matter what approach you take, remember that it can take more than ten exposures to a food for a child to accept it. Watch for baby’s hunger cues and don’t force food if they’re done.

Every child is different and will take to solids at different times. Keep offering nutritious foods of varied flavors and textures, and consider our baby food subscription for high-quality, ready-to-serve options.