Let’s talk about what BLW is actually, which I talked a little bit about in my complementary feeding post. BLW (Baby Lead Weaning) >>> although it is not a literal translation, we can use it as baby-led feeding. They give signs that your baby will be able to feed themselves after a certain month.
Signs that the baby is ready for BLW:
- If the baby is over 6 months old,
- If he/she can sit without support.
- If he/she can use his/her hands voluntarily.
- If he/she grabs objects with his/her fingers and consciously brings them to his/her mouth.
- If he/she reaches for the food at the table you are sitting together while you are eating.
We can tell when you’re ready for BLW.
What are the advantages of BLW?
- Your baby understands hunger and satiety and consumes as much as they want.
- The risk of becoming obese in the future is prevented as good eating habits will develop.
- There is less food rejection or selection, and less sweet tooth in the future.
- Easy to prepare.
- The mother feeds more responsibly because she is less demanding.
As for the disadvantages:
- It requires a lot of time and a lot of patience. It will take longer to eat less food, so don’t be in a hurry.
- I know families who have to bathe their babies at every meal.
- There may be gagging in the first attempts, which will decrease over time as you get used to solid food, but if gagging and vomiting occur at every meal, this may disrupt the desire to eat.
- Giving mixed foods together in a single meal may increase the risk of allergies; it would be more appropriate to give them individually at the beginning.
IMPORTANT >>> NEVER LEAVE YOUR BABY ALONE WHILE MAKING BLW, ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BABY WITH YOU!!!
*** My suggestion would be to sit at the same table with your baby at your own meal times.