5 BLW Myths Debunked
Starting baby-led weaning (BLW) can feel exciting but also overwhelming, especially when you’re bombarded with opinions from all directions. “They’ll choke!” “It’s just a trend.” “They won’t get enough nutrients!” Sound familiar? As parents ourselves, we’ve been there. So let’s break down some of the most common BLW myths and separate facts from fiction.
Myth 1: “BLW is a choking hazard.”
Truth: Gagging is common and normal during the early stages of BLW—it’s actually a protective reflex. Choking, on the other hand, is rare when BLW is done correctly. Offering soft, appropriately sized foods and always supervising your baby during meals drastically reduces risk. You’ll be surprised how quickly your little one learns to move food around in their mouth safely.
Pro tip: Skip small, round foods (like grapes or cherry tomatoes) unless they’re quartered. And always avoid hard raw vegetables until your baby is older.
Myth 2: “My baby won’t get enough food.”
Truth: In the beginning, food is just for exploration. Breast milk or formula continues to be the main source of nutrition until around 12 months. The beauty of BLW is that it helps babies learn to regulate their own hunger cues and build a healthy relationship with food.
So yes, it might feel like they’re playing more than eating at first—but that’s okay! It’s all part of the process.
Myth 3: “BLW is just messy playtime.”
Truth: Yes, it’s messy—but it’s also incredibly educational. Babies develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and oral-motor strength by handling food on their own. Think of it as sensory learning that helps with development in more ways than one.
Parent tip: Invest in a quality bib, a splat mat under the high chair, and embrace the chaos (and the cute photo ops!).
Myth 4: “You can’t combine BLW with spoon-feeding.”
Truth: Actually, you can! Responsive spoon-feeding (where baby leads the pace and signals when they want more) can go hand in hand with BLW. Think of it as offering variety—finger foods for practice and spoon-fed foods for exposure to different textures and tastes.
This flexibility works great for families who want the benefits of both worlds.
Myth 5: “BLW is just a parenting trend.”
Truth: BLW has been practiced informally for generations. While the term itself gained popularity in the 2000s, letting babies self-feed isn’t new. In many cultures, babies are encouraged to explore food with their hands and eat what the family eats—BLW simply formalizes that approach with safety and structure in mind.
Conclusion:
BLW is a personal choice, and it’s okay to have questions and doubts. Hopefully, debunking these myths helps you feel more confident in letting your baby lead the way at the table. Whether you go full BLW or take a blended approach, the most important thing is making mealtimes a positive and pressure-free experience.