Baby Led Weaning — which foods to start with?

BLW Start: The Best First Foods

In a nutshell: With BLW, you offer your baby soft finger foods from the start instead of puree. The pieces need to be large enough (finger-sized) so baby can grasp them.

Top 10 BLW Starter Foods

1. Avocado — soft, nutrient-rich, perfect texture (in strips)
2. Steamed sweet potato — sticks, soft enough to mash with the tongue
3. Banana pieces — halved with skin on (better grip) or rolled in oats
4. Steamed broccoli — the florets are perfect baby-sized handles
5. Soft pear — in strips, ripe and soft
6. Steamed carrot — sticks, soft enough to mash with the tongue
7. Toast strips — spread with avocado or cream cheese
8. Steamed zucchini — sticks, very mild flavor
9. Mango — in strips, ripe and soft
10. Omelet strips — egg cooked through, cut into strips

Shape and Size

• Finger-sized pieces (approx. 6cm long, 2cm wide)
• Baby grasps with a FIST → the food must stick out the top
• From around 8-9 months (pincer grip): smaller pieces possible

Safety: Gagging vs. Choking

ESSENTIAL: Learn the infant Heimlich maneuver BEFORE you start BLW!

Introduce Allergens EARLY

New recommendation: Common allergens (peanuts, eggs, milk, wheat, fish) should be introduced from 6 months — this LOWERS allergy risk!

This information does not replace medical advice.