Discover how a mom of seven approaches baby-led weaning (BLW) with her youngest, why she ditched cereal, the health benefits of BLW, and her favorite whole food strategies for raising happy, healthy eaters.
Let’s be honest for a second—by the time you’ve raised seven babies, you’ve tried many things. And one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that baby-led weaning (BLW) is a game changer. With my first baby, I did the traditional route: rice cereal, purees, baby food jars, and the never-ending spoon-feeding. But by the time baby #2 came along, I was already shifting gears. And now, with baby #7, I’m confident in saying BLW is my go-to method. No cereal. No jars. Just real food, authentic textures, and actual results.
Why Baby Led Weaning?
Let’s start with the basics. Baby-led weaning (BLW) means skipping the purees and letting your baby self-feed. It might sound nerve-wracking at first—tiny hands grabbing giant pieces of avocado or banana—but seeing how capable babies genuinely are when you let them lead is impressive.
Unlike spoon-feeding, BLW gives babies complete control over what goes into their mouths. That means they decide what, how much, and how fast to eat. And when you're juggling a household of nine, having a baby who can eat alongside everyone else is a huge win.
Why I Ditched Cereal?
Let me be honest: I wish I’d known earlier that rice cereal wasn’t necessary. It’s often the first food recommended, but once I started learning more about gut health, I realized that babies don’t need processed grains to thrive.
With baby #1, I followed the advice to give him cereal. His digestion was sluggish, and feeding him that way was stressful. When we hit baby #2, I had entirely vowed off cereal and purees. I waited with babies 2 through 7 until they showed signs of gut readiness and introduced only whole, nutrient-dense foods. And it has made all the difference.
Signs of Gut Readiness
Exclusively breastfeeding gives babies everything they need for the first several months. I’ve found that watching for specific signs has helped me know when my babies are genuinely ready for solids:
- Saliva changes – You’ll notice a different consistency, almost like it’s prepping their mouth for chewing.
- Tongue movement – They lose the tongue-thrust reflex and begin mimicking chewing motions.
- Bowel changes – Their poops will shift slightly, letting you know their digestion is developing.
I wait for these cues instead of the calendar. Some of my babies were ready around 6 months, and others closer to 7 months. And that’s okay. Every baby is different.
The Benefits of Baby Led Weaning
Baby-led weaning isn’t just easier for me—it’s better for baby too. Here’s why I love it:
- Motor skills – Baby-led weaning supports hand-eye coordination and fine motor development immediately.
- Family mealtime – Everyone eats together—no separate meal prep or spoon-feeding while your food goes cold.
- Self-regulation – Babies learn to stop eating when they’re full. That’s a skill that follows them well into toddlerhood and beyond.
- Texture exploration: They become familiar with different textures and flavors, which has helped my kids grow up as adventurous eaters.
- Food Lovers: My babies grow up loving whole foods and don't crave processed foods.
Health Benefits
From a health standpoint, baby-led weaning sets the stage for a healthy gut and well-rounded nutrition. Since I only offer whole foods—things like avocado, soft veggies, scrambled egg yolk, and tender meats—my babies are exposed to nutrients their growing bodies need:
- Healthy fats for brain development
- Iron-rich foods for energy and immune function
- Fiber and enzymes to support their developing digestive system
And let’s talk about digestion: babies who skip processed cereals have smoother transitions to solid foods. With my cereal-fed baby, I dealt with constipation and gas. Since switching to baby-led weaning, we’ve had way fewer tummy troubles.
Why I Choose This Method—Even With a Big Family
You might think baby-led weaning is more time-consuming, but in my experience, it’s the opposite. I’m already cooking homemade meals for the whole crew, modifying textures or cutting foods into baby-friendly sizes. There is no blending, no storing little jars, no separate cooking. It fits into our rhythm effortlessly.
Plus, it builds confidence for the baby and me. Watching my little ones explore food, feed themselves, and join family meals is incredibly rewarding.
And in a large family, independent eaters are a gift. BLW has helped my babies become confident, self-sufficient eaters early on.
Types of Baby Led Weaning Approaches
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to BLW, but here are some methods I’ve used or seen other moms try:
- Traditional Baby-Led Weaning—The OG method does not use purees or spoon-feeding. It involves feeding baby-sized portions of regular food from day one. I use this method, and it’s worked beautifully.
- Modified Baby-Led Weaning—This blends the BLW philosophy with occasional spoon-feeding of mashed versions of what the family is eating. I’ve done this during sick days or when introducing soups.
- Combo Feeding- Some families start with purées but gradually let the baby self-feed finger foods alongside. This is a nice bridge if you’re nervous about going full BLW.
Whichever style you choose, the key is to follow your baby’s lead, not the label.
Baby-led weaning with baby #7 reflects everything I’ve learned through trial and error. I’ve let go of the guilt, tossed out the cereal boxes, and embraced a method prioritizing health, independence, and connection.
Baby-led weaning has made feeding time less stressful, joyful, and way more hands-on—in the best possible way. Try it if you’re a new mom or a mom of many. You might find your baby loves gnawing on a piece of roasted sweet potato as much as you love watching them grow into a confident, curious eater.
Because let’s face it: the less time I spend blending and spoon-feeding, the more time I get to savor these sweet (and often sticky) moments of motherhood.
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