How to Handle the Mess: Real Talk About BLW Chaos

Yes, it’s going to get everywhere — and no, you’re not alone

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Let’s be real: if you’re doing baby-led weaning (BLW), you already know things are going to get messy. But until you’ve seen a chunk of avocado launched across the room like a mini catapult, you don’t fully grasp the true level of mess we’re dealing with here.

I thought I was prepared. I was not.
Now, a few months in, I’ve learned how to handle (most of) the chaos without losing my mind. If you’re in the early stages or gearing up to start, here’s some honest advice and practical tips to help you survive the mess — and maybe even enjoy it.

1. Accept It: Mess Is Part of the Learning

This was the hardest thing for me to accept. I wanted to control the mess. But the whole point of BLW is for babies to explore food — and that means touching it, squishing it, and yes… throwing it.

Try to shift your mindset: the mess is how they learn. Texture, grip, motor skills, self-feeding — it’s all part of the process.

That said, there are definitely ways to manage it so your kitchen doesn’t look like a food crime scene 3x a day.

2. Get the Right Gear (It Makes a Difference)

Okay, this is where a few affordable tools go a long way.

Our “BLW mess survival kit”:

  • Silicone bibs with a food catcher – These are a game-changer. The pocket actually catches dropped food (and occasionally entire spoonfuls). We use this silicone bibs – easy to clean and durable.

  • A splat mat or washable floor mat – Trust me, your floor will thank you. We use this waterproof mat super easy to clean and wipe.

  • A high chair that’s easy to wipe down – Avoid anything with fabric or tiny crevices. Ours is this simple, affordable model — super easy to adjust and clean after each meal.

Bonus: a silicone placemat that sticks to the high chair tray helps cut down on plate flipping and food smearing (you know what I’m talking about).

3. Dress for the Occasion (That Goes for You Too)

There were days I’d dress our baby in a cute outfit for breakfast and instantly regret it by the third blueberry. Lesson learned.

Now we either:

And for parents? A washable apron or just avoiding your favorite shirt during meals goes a long way.

4. Don’t Clean Up Right Away (Seriously)

Here’s a little trick I learned: don’t rush to clean the high chair and floor the second they’re done eating. Wait until after cleanup is actually worth it — maybe 5–10 minutes after, when your baby is happily playing or you’re cleaning up other things anyway.

Why? Because otherwise, you’re cleaning while your baby is still flinging things. Trust me, it’s not worth the double work.

5. Accept the Weird Places You’ll Find Food

Under the couch. In your hair. In the diaper somehow?! Just know: it’s going to happen. One time I found a piece of broccoli in my bag two days after lunch.

We now keep a small basket of cleaning supplies near the high chair:

  • Baby wipes

  • Microfiber cloth

  • Spray bottle with water + vinegar

  • Extra bibs and a towel

Makes it easy to tackle the mess without doing a full kitchen reset every time.

Final Thoughts

The mess of baby-led weaning can feel overwhelming — especially at first. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t last forever. Eventually, your baby gets more coordinated, less food gets flung and mealtimes get easier.

In the meantime, don’t stress about being “neat.” Laugh at the mess when you can, take photos of those ridiculous spaghetti faces, and remember you’re not alone.

And if you’re looking for tools to make things a little less chaotic, here are our personal faves:

(These are affiliate links — no extra cost to you, and we only recommend what truly helped us survive mealtime madness.)

You’ve got this — food flinging and all.