Introduction
Baby-led weaning (BLW) has become a popular feeding method among parents. It involves introducing solid foods to babies in a way that allows them to feed themselves. The BLW method advocates for offering babies a variety of foods to explore, rather than purees or spoon-feeding. In this article, we will discuss the 100 best BLW foods that parents can offer their babies.
What are the benefits of BLW?
BLW has several benefits for babies. It promotes self-feeding, which helps develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It also allows babies to explore different textures, tastes, and smells of foods, which can help them develop a healthy relationship with food. Additionally, BLW can help prevent picky eating and promote better eating habits in the long run.
The 100 Best BLW Foods
1. Avocado
Avocado is a great source of healthy fats and vitamins. It can be mashed or sliced into bite-sized pieces for babies to self-feed.
2. Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is a nutritious and delicious food for babies. It can be roasted or steamed and cut into small pieces for self-feeding.
3. Banana
Bananas are a great source of potassium and fiber. They can be cut into small pieces or mashed for babies to self-feed.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is a nutrient-dense vegetable that can be steamed and cut into small pieces for self-feeding.
5. Carrots
Carrots are a good source of Vitamin A and can be steamed or roasted and cut into small pieces for self-feeding.
6. Apple slices
Apples are a good source of fiber and can be cut into thin slices for babies to self-feed.
7. Blueberries
Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants and can be cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
8. Cheese cubes
Cheese is a good source of calcium and protein. It can be cut into small cubes for babies to self-feed.
9. Cooked chicken
Cooked chicken is a good source of protein and can be cut into small pieces or shredded for babies to self-feed.
10. Cooked fish
Cooked fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and can be cut into small pieces or shredded for babies to self-feed.
11. Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a good source of protein and can be mashed or cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
12. Grapes
Grapes can be cut into small pieces or halved for babies to self-feed. It’s important to remove the seeds before giving them to babies.
13. Kiwi
Kiwi is a good source of Vitamin C and can be peeled and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
14. Mango
Mango is a good source of Vitamin A and can be peeled and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
15. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a good source of fiber and can be cooked and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
16. Peaches
Peaches are a good source of Vitamin C and can be peeled and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
17. Peas
Peas are a good source of protein and can be steamed and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
18. Pears
Pears are a good source of fiber and can be peeled and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
19. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a good source of Vitamin A and can be roasted and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
20. Rice cakes
Rice cakes are a good source of complex carbohydrates and can be cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
21. Spinach
Spinach is a nutrient-dense vegetable that can be steamed and cut into small pieces for self-feeding.
22. Strawberries
Strawberries are a good source of Vitamin C and can be cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
23. Tofu
Tofu is a good source of protein and can be cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
24. Yogurt
Yogurt is a good source of calcium and protein. It can be mixed with fruits or served plain for babies to self-feed.
25. Zucchini
Zucchini is a nutrient-dense vegetable that can be steamed and cut into small pieces for self-feeding.
26. Butternut squash
Butternut squash is a good source of Vitamin A and can be roasted and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
27. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a nutrient-dense vegetable that can be steamed and cut into small pieces for self-feeding.
28. Cherries
Cherries can be pitted and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
29. Cucumber slices
Cucumber is a hydrating vegetable that can be cut into thin slices for babies to self-feed.
30. Egg yolk
Egg yolk is a good source of protein and can be boiled and mashed for babies to self-feed.
31. Green beans
Green beans are a good source of fiber and can be steamed and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
32. Lentils
Lentils are a good source of protein and can be cooked and mashed for babies to self-feed.
33. Melon
Melon is a hydrating fruit that can be cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
34. Papaya
Papaya is a good source of Vitamin C and can be peeled and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
35. Quinoa
Quinoa is a good source of protein and can be cooked and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
36. Raspberries
Raspberries are a good source of fiber and can be cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
37. Red pepper
Red pepper is a nutrient-dense vegetable that can be roasted and cut into small pieces for self-feeding.
38. Salmon
Salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and can be cooked and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
39. Scrambled eggs
Scrambled eggs are a good source of protein and can be cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
40. Tuna
Tuna is a good source of protein and can be cooked and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
41. Watermelon
Watermelon is a hydrating fruit that can be cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
42. Asparagus
Asparagus is a nutrient-dense vegetable that can be steamed and cut into small pieces for self-feeding.
43. Black beans
Black beans are a good source of protein and can be cooked and mashed for babies to self-feed.
44. Brown rice
Brown rice is a good source of complex carbohydrates and can be cooked and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
45. Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a hydrating fruit that can be cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
46. Chickpeas
Chickpeas are a good source of protein and can be cooked and mashed for babies to self-feed.
47. Corn
Corn is a good source of fiber and can be steamed and cut into small pieces for babies to self-feed.
48. Eggplant
Eggplant is a nutrient-dense vegetable that can be roasted and cut into small pieces for self-