What is Baby-Led Weaning?
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an approach to introducing solid foods that lets your baby feed themselves from the very start — skipping purees and spoon-feeding entirely. Instead of you controlling what goes in, your baby picks up food, explores textures, and decides how much to eat.
It sounds a little chaotic (and yes, mealtimes will get messy!), but BLW has become hugely popular with NZ parents for good reason — it supports healthy development, builds confidence, and makes mealtimes a genuinely enjoyable experience for the whole family.
When Can You Start BLW?
Most babies are ready to start solid foods around 6 months of age. The Ministry of Health New Zealand recommends watching for these signs of readiness:
- Sitting up with minimal support and holding their head steady
- Showing interest in food — reaching for what you're eating, watching with curiosity
- Loss of the tongue-thrust reflex (no longer automatically pushing food out of their mouth)
- Ability to pick up objects and bring them to their mouth
Every baby is different — if you're unsure, check in with your Plunket nurse or GP before starting.
What Foods Are Best for BLW Beginners?
Start with soft, easy-to-grip foods that your baby can manage safely. Good first foods include:
- Steamed vegetables — broccoli florets, carrot sticks, kumara strips
- Soft fruits — banana halves, ripe avocado, melon slices
- Toast fingers with a thin spread of nut butter or avocado
- Cooked pasta — penne or fusilli are easy to grip
- Scrambled eggs — soft, nutritious, and a great texture for little hands
Always cut food into finger-sized pieces and avoid anything hard, round, or small enough to be a choking hazard (whole grapes, raw carrots, nuts).
What Equipment Do You Need?
One of the joys of BLW is that you don't need much — but having the right gear makes mealtimes so much easier:
- A suction plate or bowl — stops food (and the dish) flying off the highchair tray
- A silicone bib with a catch pocket — captures the inevitable drips and dropped pieces
- Soft-tipped baby spoons and forks — with a choke guard for safety
- A good highchair — with a supportive, upright seat position
Our 6-piece silicone feeding sets include a suction plate, suction bowl, silicone bib, cup, spoon, and fork — everything you need in one BPA-free set, designed specifically for BLW babies from 6 months.
Is BLW Safe? What About Choking?
This is the number one concern for NZ parents new to BLW — and it's completely understandable. The good news is that research shows BLW babies are no more likely to choke than spoon-fed babies, as long as food is prepared correctly.
Key safety tips:
- Always stay with your baby during mealtimes
- Serve food in appropriate sizes and textures
- Make sure your baby is sitting fully upright
- Learn infant first aid — St John NZ offers excellent courses
Note: gagging is normal and different from choking. Gagging is your baby's natural reflex protecting their airway as they learn — it can look alarming but is a healthy part of the process.
Tips for Stress-Free BLW Mealtimes
- Embrace the mess — a splat mat under the highchair saves your floors
- Eat together — babies learn by watching you, so family mealtimes are powerful
- Don't stress about quantities — milk (breast or formula) remains the main nutrition source until 12 months
- Offer variety early — introducing diverse flavours and textures in the first year helps build a less fussy eater
- Follow your baby's lead — some days they'll eat lots, some days almost nothing. That's normal.
Ready to Start Your BLW Journey?
Starting solids is one of the most exciting milestones in your baby's first year. With the right approach and the right gear, it can be a joyful, low-stress experience for your whole whānau.
Explore our premium silicone baby feeding sets — thoughtfully designed for NZ babies and made from 100% food-grade, BPA-free silicone.