YES, Baby Led Weaning (BLW) is a safe and effective way to introduce solids - and it works great with Indian foods! Instead of spoon-feeding purees, you let your baby (6 months+) feed themselves soft finger foods from the start. Many Indian babies thrive with BLW using foods like idli, roti pieces, and steamed vegetables. Don't worry - gagging is normal and different from choking!
Watch: Baby does not eat|| what should to give increase appetite|| 10 foods
BLW is an approach where your baby:
It's NOT about:
Your baby should meet ALL these signs (usually around 6 months):
| Readiness Sign | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Can sit upright | Sits with minimal support, good head control |
| Lost tongue-thrust reflex | Doesn't push food out of mouth automatically |
| Shows interest in food | Reaches for your food, watches you eat |
| Can grab objects | Brings things to mouth purposefully |
| Chewing motions | Makes munching movements even without teeth |
Note: Teeth are NOT required! Babies can gum soft foods effectively.
6-7 Months (First Foods):
8-9 Months (More Variety):
10-12 Months (Advanced):
For Extra Weight Gain (Wajan Badhana):
THIS IS CRUCIAL FOR BLW:
| Gagging (NORMAL) | Choking (EMERGENCY) |
|---|---|
| Loud coughing/retching sounds | Silent or very quiet |
| Face may turn red | Face turns blue/purple |
| Baby can breathe | Cannot breathe |
| Self-resolving | Needs intervention |
| Learning reflex | Airway blocked |
Gagging is your baby's safety mechanism! It's how they learn to manage food. It happens at the back of the tongue in babies (not near the throat like adults). Stay calm - your baby will learn!
Stop BLW and consult your pediatrician if:
DO:
DON'T:
Morning (with family breakfast):
Afternoon (lunch time):
Evening (dinner with family):
Remember: Breast milk or formula remains the main nutrition. BLW is about exploration and learning!
A: Don't worry! In the beginning (6-9 months), babies are learning and exploring - they don't need to eat large amounts. Breast milk or formula provides 70-80% of nutrition until 12 months. As they master eating, intake naturally increases. Most BLW babies have similar or better weight gain than spoon-fed babies by 12-18 months.
A: Babies don't need teeth to eat soft foods! Their gums are surprisingly strong. Teeth are for biting, not chewing. Most first teeth (front incisors) don't help with chewing anyway. Ensure foods are soft enough to mash between your fingers.
A: Absolutely! Many Indian parents do "baby-led feeding with spoons too" - offering finger foods while also giving khichdi or dal-chawal by spoon. This is perfectly fine and often practical. Let baby hold a loaded spoon too!
A: Current guidelines recommend introducing allergenic foods (eggs, fish, peanuts, dairy) early - around 6-8 months. This may actually reduce allergy risk! Introduce one new food at a time, wait 2-3 days, and watch for reactions. If there's family history of allergies, discuss with your pediatrician first.
A: Yes, BLW is messy - embrace it! Use a large bib with a food catcher, put a mat under the high chair, and let baby explore. The mess phase is temporary, but the eating skills and relationship with food last a lifetime. Many parents do BLW before bath time!
A: This is normal exploration, especially in the first 1-2 months! Babies learn about food through all senses - touching, squishing, throwing. Stay patient, keep offering, eat with your baby (they learn by watching you), and trust that intake will improve with time.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025
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