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Exploring Baby Led Weaning: A Fun Journey to Independence!

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When I first heard about Baby Led Weaning (BLW), it was an entirely new concept to me. I didn’t use BLW with my now 13-year-old daughter. It wasn’t until I spent countless hours watching YouTube videos during my pregnancy with my new baby that I became familiar with BLW. Here I laid out the benefits of BLW, sample BLW meal ideas, and BLW product essentials.

So, what exactly is Baby Led Weaning (BLW)?

Baby Led Weaning means letting your baby feed themselves from the start. You offer your baby soft food options, such as fruits, veggies, and even meat or fish, and let them explore and eat at their own pace.

You can start BLW as early as when your baby turns 6 months old. I introduced solid foods to my baby girl when she was about 5.5 months old. Her two teeth came in early, around 5 months, making her eager to try solids.

There are pros and cons to both BLW and traditional spoon-feeding. There’s no right or wrong method; it’s all about what works best for you and your baby. Trust your instincts, mama!

For my 7-month-old, I use a combination of BLW and traditional spoon-feeding, with BLW being our main method. Every day, I let my baby feed herself, but I also spoon-feed her chicken oat porridge, rice, or other soupy foods. Recently, I’ve been guiding her to hold the spoon herself, making sure she’s safe and doesn’t choke.

Benefits of Baby Led Weaning (BLW) for babies 6 months and up:

1. Encourages Independence: Babies learn to feed themselves, which promotes independence and self-regulation of hunger.

2. Enhances Motor Skills: Picking up food and bringing it to their mouth helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

3. Promotes Healthy Eating Habits: Babies exposed to a variety of textures and tastes may be less likely to be picky eaters later on.

4. Supports Family Meals: Babies can join family mealtimes, eating the same foods (appropriately prepared), which can make meals more enjoyable and less time-consuming.

5. Reduces Risk of Overfeeding: Babies learn to recognize their hunger and fullness cues better, which can help prevent overeating.

6. Improves Oral Development: Chewing on a variety of textures can aid in the development of jaw strength and oral motor skills.

7. Encourages a Positive Relationship with Food: By exploring food at their own pace, babies can develop a positive and curious attitude toward eating.

Remember, always ensure the foods are safe and appropriate for your baby’s age to minimize the risk of choking.

Following BLW, I’ve noticed my baby enjoys her mealtime with us. Each day, she gets better at picking up foods with her tiny fingers. Some of her favorite foods are avocado, carrots, broccoli, strawberries, and cherries.

My 7-Month-Old Baby’s Favourite BLW Meals:

Take a pic of my baby’s favourite foods below:

• Breakfast: Soft avocado slices and banana chunks

• Lunch: Steamed carrot sticks and small pieces of broccoli

• Dinner: Shredded chicken and soft-cooked sweet potato wedges

• Snacks: Halved strawberries and pitted cherries (cut into small pieces)

Watching my baby explore new foods and textures is a delightful experience. It’s amazing to see her growing independence and developing a healthy relationship with food. Happy weaning, mamas!

Resources:

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My Baby’s Favourite Teething Toys: A Mom’s Guide

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This article contains an affiliate links to products. Wanderer Mom is an Amazon Associate and we earn from qualifying purchases through affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Thoughts and opinions in this article are solely Wanderer Mom’s. We only share products which we love and had experienced with.

When my baby started teething at 5 months old, it felt like she wanted to bite everything in sight! From her stuffed toys to books, nothing was safe from her little gums. I quickly learned that having a variety of good teethers was essential. After trying out numerous options, I discovered four teething toys that she absolutely loves. Now that she’s 7 months old, these toys are still her go-to for soothing those sore gums. I’m sharing them here in case you’re looking for something that actually works.

Don’t Be Fooled by Fancy Teethers!

When I first shopped for teethers, I was guilty of going for the cutest, fanciest ones. I thought they’d be the best, but my wallet and I quickly learned that looks aren’t everything. The main thing you want to look for in a teether is whether it’s non-toxic and safe for your baby.

Our Top 4 Teething Toys:

Here are the teething toys that my baby loves to bite and chew on. While she tried a few fancy ones, these four are the ones she always goes back to. They’ve been a lifesaver in soothing her gums, and I hope they can help your baby too!

This teether is made from 100% food-grade silicone and natural beech, ensuring it’s non-toxic, BPA-free, and completely safe for babies. Its lightweight and flexible design make it easy for little hands to grab and chew, helping with motor skills and teething pain.

What I love about this teether is that it has different bumps and textures, providing a fun and soothing biting experience. Cleaning is simple—just wash with mild soapy water or boil to sterilize (except for the wooden ring, which shouldn’t be boiled). You can also chill it in the fridge for extra relief.

One thing to note though, my baby was able to fully grasp this teether when she turned 6 months but not when she was only 5 months old. Now it’s her ultimate favourite teether. I always attach it in her high chair, in her jumper and play pen which is why it’s good to have at least 2 or 3 of this 🙂 I also bring it whenever we are going out.

Why We Love Haakaa’s Silicone Feeder

Haakaa’s award-winning Silicone Feeder is perfect for introducing solids safely. It has a pouch with tiny holes that only let small food pieces through, reducing the risk of choking. You can freeze breast milk or other foods and put them in the pouch to soothe your baby’s teething discomfort. The feeder’s silicone bunny-like top has textures that gently massage sore gums.

The Feeder is designed with an easy-to-hold ring for little hands, promoting self-feeding and improving hand-eye coordination. It features a safe raised rim design to ensure it stays closed and secure while your baby munches away happily.

The one I bought comes with a small food tray which fit perfectly into the Feeder Pouch, making meal prep a breeze. I normally use the tray to freeze avocado because it’s my baby’s favourite. Cleaning is also easy with fewer parts to assemble—just boil or wash with mild soapy water. There are no fiddly pieces, mesh, or clips to harbor germs.

Why We Love This Baby Teething Toy

These baby teething toy is made from food-grade silicone. They can handle extreme temperatures, so you can boil, steam, or refrigerate them—whatever works best for you!

Cleaning this is a breeze, and they’re durable enough to last through all the chewing your baby can dish out. The textured surface is perfect for soothing sore gums and relieving discomfort.

This teether isn’t just great for teething—they’re also fantastic for early education. Shaped like TV remotes, they help your baby recognize colors and develop their learning skills. Plus, they’re just plain fun to play with!

Its design helps massage your baby’s swollen gums, providing much-needed relief during those tough teething times. Perfect for babies aged 3 to 24 months, this teether will quickly become a favourite!

Why We Love the Malarkey Kids Munch Mitt

No more chewing on hands! The Malarkey Kids Munch Mitt keeps your baby safe from scratching themselves, irritating their skin with saliva, and developing blisters from thumb-sucking. This award-winning teething mitten is a top choice from Baby Maternity Magazine.

Say goodbye to fussiness! With its unique textured and ergonomic design, this teething glove relieves baby’s tender gums and turns grumpy moments into smiles quickly.

The mitt also offers great sensory stimulation. The crinkling sounds and black-and-white color contrast help stimulate your baby’s sound and visual senses during early growth. Plus, it’s fun enough to keep them entertained while you handle household chores.

Invented by a mom, the Munch Mitt is made with 100% high-quality, food-grade silicone. It’s BPA and phthalate-free.

Cleaning is a breeze. The Malarkey Kids hand mitts are machine washable and come with an adjustable strap to keep them from dropping on the ground. The soft, breathable fabric absorbs drool, saving you time and money on laundry.

I hope this list helps you find the perfect teething toy for your little one. Happy teething!

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