BLW: The impact of self-feeding on baby's development

Infant feeding is a crucial step in their development. Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an approach that is gaining popularity, offering a unique alternative to traditional spoon feeding. If you are worried about adopting this approach, I invite you to also consult this article which compiles the latest scientific advances on the subject and shows you that BLW is safe in addition to promoting the development of essential skills. First, here are several significant benefits for baby's overall development.

Motor skills

BLW places the baby at the heart of his feeding experience. Indeed, this technique allows him to handle food and bring it to his mouth independently. This approach promotes the development of gross and fine motor skills , in addition to promoting chewing .

Sensory capacity

Additionally, BLW exposes babies to a variety of textures, tastes, and smells, which stimulates their sensory awareness. This early exposure to different food sensations contributes to their cognitive development and familiarity with a variety of foods, which can potentially encourage them to adopt a varied diet as they grow.

Positive attitude towards meals

By giving babies an active role in their feeding, BLW creates a positive experience around mealtimes. Infants learn to associate mealtimes with enjoyable times of exploration and discovery. This positive attitude toward mealtimes can have a lasting impact on their attitude toward food as they grow, fostering healthy eating habits and a positive relationship with food.

Better listening to internal signals

BLW also allows babies to take control of their own eating, encouraging them to listen to their internal signals of hunger and fullness. This early awareness of body signals can play a vital role in the development of eating self-regulation, helping babies maintain balanced eating habits throughout their lives.

Integration into family meals

A remarkable feature of BLW is its ability to integrate babies into family meals. By actively participating in mealtimes, babies strengthen social bonds and develop interaction skills with their family members. This shared experience around the table also fosters a positive environment for language development, as babies are exposed to conversations and social interactions from a young age. Need help with mealtimes? CHUNKS BLW meals can help with their BLW-style ready-to-eat meal delivery!

Autonomy and development

In conclusion, BLW goes far beyond simply feeding babies. By encouraging independent exploration of solid foods, it promotes the development of motor, sensory, and social skills. This positive approach to mealtimes creates lasting memories and strengthens family bonds. Adopting BLW provides babies with the opportunity to develop essential skills while establishing a solid foundation for healthy eating habits and a positive relationship with food over time.

Want to know more about the BLW approach? Make an appointment with a nutritionist from ÉquipeNutrition !



Back to blog