What is Baby-led weaning?

[momm]

I've been trying to read up on "baby led weaning" after hearing the term, but I am confused about it now.

What is the difference between baby led weaning and starting the baby on solids? I am assuming starting on solids does not mean weaning!!!!! I certainly hope so. I hope to nurse for a long long time.

:confused:

Can someone explain?

[brittone2]

In many countries weaning refers to the introduction of solid foods. It doesn't necessarily mean "weaning" as in no more nursing :)

My two oldest have nursed past 3, and DS2 is still nursing. We used "baby led weaning" for our feeding approach with DD and DS2 (and DS1 to a degree). It didn't equal weaning from nursing...mine went on a looooong time after solids were introduced via a BLW approach ;)

HTH.

[daisymommy]

I know more mamas who do BLW here will chime in :)
Basically in a nut shell it is "child-directed" feeding. No starting out with a baby so small that they can only handle purees, and then a parent spoon feeding everything into their mouth (which can often mean pushing it on them when the baby doesn't want it, forcing "just one more bite!" etc.)
You start out with table food and let baby feed him/herself. Apparently this is more the norm in other cultures and is the way societies have been doing things for years.

Fwiw, we didn't do it with our kids because by the time I really knew about it we were past that stage and on table food anyway. But I find it interesting!

Remember, when you read the phrase "weaning" in these following links, they do NOT mean stop breastfeeding, they mean the starting of solid foods. Confusing in the U.S. I know!

http://www.babyledweaning.com/

http://www.borstvoeding.com/voedselintroductie/blw/engels.html

[sunshine873]

Like other posters have said, Baby Led Weaning refers to starting solids. True Baby Led Weaning encourages you to continue nursing as long as possible (or desired.) The idea is that baby is getting nourishment from nursing, so the introduction of solids is strictly for practice (through the 1st year.) The idea is to present the child with pieces of regular table food instead of purees (start with things like well-steamed carrots, sweet potatoes, brocolli, etc. The baby will pick the food up and feed themselves (hence, baby-led.)

I would definitely recommend checking out the forums on http://www.babyledweaning.com/

We did it with my DD & I'm so glad we did.

[momm]

ok that's a relief! Thank you all for the links and info