How Do I Start Baby-Led Weaning? A Beginner's Routine
A simple, specialist-informed routine for starting baby-led weaning around 6 months: readiness signs, first foods, gear that helps, and what a first week looks like.
Baby-led weaning (BLW) means letting your baby self-feed soft, graspable foods from the start of solids, typically around 6 months, instead of being spoon-fed purees exclusively. Here's a practical first routine.
Is my baby ready?
- Sits upright with minimal support
- Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex (doesn't automatically push food out)
- Reaches for and grabs objects, bringing them to the mouth
- Shows interest in your food
Most babies show these signs around 6 months. When in doubt, ask your pediatrician, especially for babies born early.
What a first week can look like
Days 1 to 2: one "meal" a day, no pressure to eat. Offer a soft, finger-length piece, steamed broccoli floret, banana with some peel left as a grip, avocado spear rolled in baby cereal for traction.
Days 3 to 4: add a preloaded spoon. Load a soft silicone spoon with mashed food and hand it over, an upright-standing spoon like the Olababy Training Spoon lets baby grab it without your help.
Days 5 to 7: introduce an open cup with a splash of water at meals. A tiny 2oz first cup keeps spills low-stakes while building real sipping skills.
Gear that actually helps
- A plate or bowl that stays put: suction dishware survives the grab-and-fling phase.
- A soft-tipped spoon baby can hold: gum-safe silicone, short handle, easy grip.
- A catch-pocket bib: silicone rinses clean; cloth becomes laundry.
- A small open cup: feeding specialists favor open-cup and straw practice over hard-spout sippies.
Safety notes
- Always supervise; baby should be seated upright, never reclined.
- Avoid choking-risk foods: whole grapes, whole nuts, raw hard veggies, hot dog rounds.
- Gagging (noisy, red-faced) is normal learning; choking (silent) is not, know infant first aid.
- No honey before 12 months.
This is general guidance, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about your baby's specific needs.
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The bowls, spoons and cups these guides are written around.