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Baby led Weaning vs Traditional Weaning

Every parent goes through this confusion when they start weaning their babies, so what do you think is better? 

Both approaches have their pros and cons, and it is ultimately up to the individual family to decide which approach is best for their baby. Read this article to know more on Baby Led Weaning and Traditional Weaning.

Baby Led Weaning :

Baby led Weaning vs Traditional Weaning

 

Baby Led Weaning is an approach to introducing solid foods to an infant that allows the baby to self-feed and control the amount of food they eat rather than relying on traditional spoon-feeding. The baby-led weaning approach starts when the baby is around six months old, when they are developmentally ready to begin eating solid foods. It involves offering the baby pieces of soft finger foods (such as steamed vegetables, soft fruits, or pieces of toast) rather than puréed foods. This approach encourages the baby to explore and experiment with different tastes and textures, helping them become more independent and confident eaters.

Benefits of Baby Led Weaning : 

  • Baby Led Weaning encourages baby to explore new foods at their own pace and in their own way, allowing them to learn how to feed themselves.
  • Introducing solid foods at an earlier age can help to prevent allergies by exposing baby to a wider variety of foods.
  • It helps baby to develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
  • Baby Led Weaning can help your baby to become an adventurous eater, as they learn to accept and enjoy a variety of tastes, textures and smells.
  • It encourages a positive attitude towards food and healthy eating habits from an early age.
  • Baby Led Weaning can help to strengthen the bond between parent and baby, as you share the process of exploring new foods together.

Traditional Weaning :

Baby led Weaning vs Traditional Weaning

Traditional Weaning is a process of gradually introducing a baby to solid foods along with breast milk or formula that the baby is consuming. This process usually begins when a baby is about 6 months old and is usually completed by the time the baby is around 12 months old. Weaning should be done gradually, with the baby’s comfort and health in mind. 

Initially, soft, mashed foods should be introduced, such as mashed potatoes and porridge. As the baby gets used to eating these soft foods, more solid foods can be introduced. Foods that are easy to chew, such as pieces of cooked vegetables and fruits, can be slowly introduced into the baby’s diet. Additionally, baby cereals, such as oatmeal and rice cereals, can be introduced at this stage. 

As the baby grows, more solid foods can be introduced, such as meats, beans, and dairy products. It is important to ensure that the baby is getting enough nutrition during the weaning process.

Benefits of Traditional Weaning : 

  • Promotes healthy eating habits: Traditional weaning encourages children to explore different tastes and textures, helping to develop a healthy relationship with food.
  • Easier transition to solid foods: Traditional weaning is done gradually, providing a smoother transition from breast milk or formula to solid foods.
  • Provides nutritional balance: Traditional weaning involves the introduction of a variety of foods, helping to ensure that a child’s diet is balanced and nutritious.
  • Allows for family meals: Traditional weaning helps to encourage family meals, where the whole family can enjoy the same meals together.
  • Helps to build independence: Traditional weaning involves introducing finger foods, helping to promote independence and self-feeding skills.
  • Promotes language development: Traditional weaning involves talking to the child, encouraging language development and communication skills.

Do check out our other articles from our blogs on Weaning Journey.

Baby Led Weaning vs Traditional Weaning, which method of weaning is better?

Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Baby-led weaning encourages self-feeding and can help a baby develop their hand-eye coordination and chewing skills. On the other hand, traditional weaning is easier to control, making it easier for the parents to ensure that the baby is getting the nutrients he or she needs. Additionally, traditional weaning can help a baby learn how to swallow food, which can be useful if they have difficulty doing so. However, traditional weaning can also lead to overfeeding, and the purées and mashed foods may not be as varied in texture as those offered by baby-led weaning. In the end, It’s ok to have a combination of both methods. Whatever is convenient please do that. But remember to offer variety of Taste, Texture and Variety is very necessary, the decision of which method to use should be a personal one, based on what works best for the individual baby and family.

Video : Baby Led Weaning vs Traditional Weaning :

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