The Complete Baby Led Weaning Guide

Baby led weaning (BLW) is all about letting your little one take the lead when it comes to solid foods. Instead of spoon-fed purées, you offer soft finger foods they can pick up, squish and explore all by themselves — at their own pace, in their own way.

As your baby's diet expands, you can begin to introduce age appropriate versions of your own food (watching salt content etc) making eating together much easier. 

BLW is an approach that can help babies develop a healthy relationship with food, a more adventurous palate, and real confidence at mealtimes. Messy? Yes. Worth trying? Absolutely.

For more information visit our BLW blogs

Most babies are ready to give BLW a go at around six months — but whilst the date on the calendar is a good guide, it's also about watching your baby for these three signs together.

• They can sit upright with just a little support
• They’re eyeing up your dinner and reaching for it — yes, even your toast
• They’ve lost the tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food straight back out

When you’re seeing all three, that’s usually your green light. And if you’re not quite sure, your health visitor is always a first port of call.

The short answer is yes — when you approach it the right way.

One thing that surprises many parents is gagging. It can look a little alarming, but it’s actually completely normal and even protective — it’s your baby’s clever way of learning to manage food in their mouth. 

Gagging and choking are very different things, and understanding that difference can make the whole experience feel a lot calmer for everyone at the table.

There are baby first aid courses  available that will help you learn how to identify and manage choking, this can help reduce anxiety before you start weaning. 

You may wish to explore a course designed to give practical steps for when a baby is choking. St John Ambulance run these routinely, among others.

With the right textures for their age, close supervision and the right tools, BLW is safe and backed by NHS guidance. And speaking of the right tools — doddl’s ergonomic cutlery is designed for little hands from six months, supporting your baby’s natural grip development so self-feeding feels easier, less frustrating, and hopefully a little more fun.