Baby-led weaning (BLW): what to know before starting

Article written by: Emilie St-Martin RD — Dietitian / Nutritionist

Introducing solids is a major milestone in a baby's life and a time filled with questions for parents! In recent years, Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) has been gaining in popularity. But what does this approach actually entail? Is it safe? Is it suitable for every baby?

In this article, I offer an overview of the basic information about BLW to help you make an informed choice and answer a few of your questions!

First of all, what is BLW?

Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is an approach where the baby learns to eat by themselves, using their hands, by exploring foods in pieces adapted to their age and stage of development.

What are the benefits of BLW?

BLW is an interesting approach for a baby's development. Here are some of the benefits associated with it:

• It promotes autonomy, sensory discovery, and tuning into hunger and satiety cues;
• It allows the baby to develop their fine motor skills;
• The child is exposed to a variety of textures and flavors from the very introduction of solids;
• The baby eats at the same time as the rest of the family and can share the same foods (when they are adapted).

Is my baby ready for BLW?

To begin BLW, the baby must meet certain criteria:

• Be 6 months of age or older (using corrected age for premature babies);
• Be able to sit up straight, without support, in their high chair for the duration of a meal (10 to 15 minutes);
• Be able to grasp an object and bring it to their mouth;
• Have good head control (be able to turn their head to signal "no");
• Show interest in food and mealtimes.

BLW is a very interesting approach, but it does not mean it is ideal for all babies. It is best to consult a healthcare professional (e.g., a doctor or nutritionist) before starting if you have doubts or if your child has a

particular condition (e.g., restricted lingual frenulum, developmental delay, motor coordination issue, oral malformation, etc.).

Furthermore, starting BLW too early (before 6 months), or with a child who is not ready, can increase the risk of choking. It is therefore essential to respect each child's pace!

Does BLW put my baby at risk of choking?

When the recommendations are followed, practicing BLW does not increase the risk of choking in babies compared to a traditional introduction of solids using purees.

That said, certain foods must be avoided or modified until the age of 4 (regardless of the chosen method of introducing solids) to reduce this risk. In particular, we want to avoid all foods that are:

• Hard: raw apples, raw carrots, etc.
• Small and round: whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, sliced sausages, whole peanuts and nuts, hard candies, etc.
• Sticky: thick peanut butter, candies, marshmallows, etc.

It is therefore possible to crush small, round foods (e.g., chickpeas, blueberries), cut larger round foods into quarters (e.g., grapes, cherry tomatoes), and grate foods that are too hard (e.g., carrots, apples).

Of course, you must also always ensure you remove bones, fish bones, seeds, and pits from foods before offering them to your child. It is recommended that the child be well-seated in their high chair, strapped in, and under adult supervision during the meal.

Additionally, it is important to distinguish the gag reflex (a normal, protective response) from choking (silent and dangerous). The gag reflex is common at the beginning and is part of the learning process, while choking must be avoided by putting the previously mentioned recommendations into practice.

Finally, I always encourage parents to take a first aid/CPR course before starting the introduction of solids, regardless of the approach chosen (BLW, purees, or mixed), to be well-equipped if needed.

In conclusion

BLW is a method that has many advantages, both in terms of nutrition and a baby's development.

Remember that there is nothing wrong with offering a more traditional transition to solids using purees. If your baby is not ready, if there is a medical contraindication, or if you simply do not feel comfortable, that is perfectly fine! The important thing is to respect your child's pace and ensure that mealtimes remain a pleasant moment with as little stress as possible. It is perfectly possible to combine BLW with purees or to start with purees before offering the baby pieces.

Happy feeding!

References:

Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ). Baby-Led Weaning. Available at: https://www.inspq.qc.ca/mieux-vivre/alimentation/aliments/diversification-alimentaire-menee-par-enfant. Accessed February 18, 2026.

Naître et grandir. Autonomous feeding (Baby-Led Weaning). Available at: https://naitreetgrandir.com/fr/etape/0_12_mois/alimentation/alimentation-autonome/. Accessed February 18, 2026.

Brown A, Jones SW. A Baby-Led Approach to Eating Solids and Risk of Choking. Pediatrics. 2016;138(4):e20160772.

Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ). Choking risks – Feeding children. Available at: https://www.inspq.qc.ca/mieux-vivre/enfant/alimentation/aliments/risques-etouffement. Accessed February 18, 2026.

Health Canada. Nutrition for healthy term infants: Recommendations from six to 24 months. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-canada/services/guide-alimentaire-canadien/ressources/nutrition-nourrisson-terme-sante/nutrition-nourrisson-terme-sante-recommandations-naissance-six-mois/6-24-mois.html#a9. Accessed February 18, 2026.