So bub is ready to start solids and you don’t know whether to start them off on purees or give baby led weaning (BLW) a go? We hear you! The good news is, there is no better way to feed your baby except for the way that feels best for both baby AND you! So let’s explore the ins and outs of puree feeding and BLW to hopefully settle your nerves and empower you to feed your bub confidently.

No matter which method you choose, the main goal remains the same - to create a positive and enjoyable environment for your baby to start solids and lay the foundations for healthy eating.

What is puree / spoon feeding?

A very traditional way of introducing your baby to solids is by offering pureed foods with a spoon. It often starts off with very smooth textures, and progresses to more lumpy and chunkier textures. Every day or couple of days you can introduce a new food and look for any reactions your baby may have.

With this method, you are able to control the texture and variety of the foods you offer your baby, as well as the pace you feed them at.

There are a few pros and cons to consider with puree feeding so let’s explore them!

Pros of Puree / Spoon Feeding:

• Pureed foods are much easier for babies to swallow in the very early stages of their solids journey - which generally means less gagging (gagging can make mealtimes only that bit more stressful for you, watching on guard)
• It’s a great way to offer your baby a variety of different foods and flavours early in the weaning process.
• Iron rich foods like meat can be easily pureed, which can help parents feel more confident in offering these foods.
• Babies are usually able to meet their nutrient requirements with a variety of pureed foods.
• Mealtimes are somewhat less messy! (You’re already cleaning enough Mumma/Dadda!)

Some challenges that can arise with Purees:

• Constantly spoon feeding your baby may delay their motor skill and chewing development, which may also delay their progression to independently feeding themselves.
• Spoon feeding your baby at each meal can be very time consuming, especially when separate from your own meal times. And let’s face it, you don’t really have much time to spare!

Nourishing Bubs can take some of the pressure and time off your puree feeding journey, with our range of ready to go frozen purees. To save you prepping, cooking, blending and freezing your own fruits, vegetables and (Spoiler Alert: launching December 6th) meat and fish, we have done the hard work for you.

So what exactly is baby led weaning?

Another option you may want to consider when starting solids with your baby is baby led weaning. This approach focuses on your baby’s independence in taking food to their own mouth and leans into their own ability to regulate their own appetite.

So the general gist of BLW (baby led weaning) is that instead of offering pureed foods, you introduce larger finger foods for your baby to grab and bring to their own mouth. Start off with soft foods that you can squish between your index finger and thumb (e.g roasted carrot spears or slices of avocado with the skin peeled back half way), before progressing to firmer and chewier foods as baby develops.

Here are some of the benefits of BLW:

• It allows bub to become a more independent eater sooner as they are able to practise both chewing and swallowing, as well as work on their motor skills.
• Babies are also able to become more independent in tuning into their hunger and fullness cues, as they determine how much they eat with BLW.
• Foods from family meals are usually appropriate which means no extra cooking!
• BLW is also a great way to promote family bonding and the social aspect of eating good food.

And here are some of the challenges that come with BLW:

• THE MESS… do we need to say any more?! (If you do decide to introduce BLW, do yourself a favour and grab your baby some Messy Mealtimes Smocks here.
• It may take bub a little while to perfect the technique of feeding themself, meaning more food ends up on the floor than in their mouth in the early stages. This may temporarily impact their nutrient intake. In cases of low birth weight babies or those struggling to gain weight, BLW may not be the right choice and we would recommend discussing with your paediatrician or a paediatric dietitian when commencing solids.
• If foods are introduced simultaneously rather than one by one, it can make it slightly harder to identify any allergies or reactions.

Now what’s combination feeding?

So you have puree / spoon feeding and you have baby led weaning… join them together and you get combination feeding. Basically you introduce both purees and finger foods from day dot and let bub lead the way, based on their preferences.

A great way to beat your nerves Mumma/Dadda is to introduce purees of a particular food for a couple of days, then start offering soft finger foods for baby to explore and practise with.

When you combine feeding techniques, you also combine the benefits of each. By offering both purees and finger foods, your baby is able to receive the nutrients they need whilst also learning motor skills, and chewing and swallowing abilities.

Combination feeding allows your baby to set the pace within their own abilities and readiness… win win!

So which feeding technique is best?

Now we hope this settles your concerns when we say, no one method is better than the other!

Each bub is different, which is why responsive feeding is the best approach with either puree feeding, baby led weaning or combination.

Responsive feeding focuses on your baby’s own cues of readiness and preferences. Some 6 month olds may be ready and eager to experiment with finger food, and some may only tolerate purees for a little while. There is no right or wrong way to introduce food to your baby.

The best way is the way that both bub and parents prefer and feel most confident in. We know it can be a scary experience first introducing your baby to solids, and *slightly* overwhelming remembering everything there is to know about feeding your baby. 

Whichever way you choose to introduce your baby to solids, Nourishing Bubs is here to help. To take the ease out of providing your baby nourishing foods, you can view and shop the range here!