Baby led weaning is a philosophy of introducing solid foods in a way that allows your baby to control their experience. It is very sensory. They get to fully engage in the variety of colors, flavors, and textures of food verses the “baby food” pureed method. With baby led weaning babies are eating the same foods that the rest of the family is eating. It’s affordable and easy to do. No special foods need to be prepared.
In the 1900s experts recommended introducing grain cereals to babies before other solid foods. Research has since shown the first foods babies need are iron and protein rich foods. Breastmilk is high in sugars and at nine months, the protein content of breastmilk dips slightly. Due to breastmilk’s high amount of carbohydrates, the last foods breastfed babies need added to their diet are grains and sugary foods.
Remember that introducing solid foods to your baby is just as much about their learning as it is about nutrition, so have fun with it!