Spoon Fed vs Baby-Led, Pros & Cons of Starting with Solids Vs Purees

If your baby is nearing six months, you’ve likely been thinking about how you want to introduce solid foods. A quick Google search reveals all kinds of messaging — spoon-fed, baby-led weaning... self-feeding. No wait, there’s also baby-led feeding. Is it better to start my baby on bits of whole food? Those puree pouches look so simple. If you’re thinking, “What does it all mean? I'm just trying to help my baby transition from milk/formula to real food,” you’re not alone. It boils down to whether you want to go the traditional route of spoon-feeding purees or let your little one run the show. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other pediatric pros offer a ton of information on feeding timelines, safety, what to ask your doctor, and nutritional guidelines you should 100% follow, regardless of what route you take (spoiler alert: there’s no right answer). We are here to lay out some of the everyday pros and cons for you to consider. As always, make sure to check with your pediatrician before starting any of these methods, and remember every baby is different. Now, to kick things off, let’s start by deciphering some of that jargon and answering some questions for you: Aren’t all foods solids? Yes. Anything after formula or breastmilk is technically a solid food. What is traditional weaning? Most people consider the “traditional” method to be spoon-feeding baby purees or blended foods as you wean off breast milk before slowly introducing solids or whole foods. What is baby-led weaning? 📸 Sprouting Yumminess Simply put, baby-led weaning (or BLW in the feeding community) skips the spoon-fed puree stage and starts with “hand-held” foods your baby can feed themselves. Is BLW different from baby-led feeding or self-feeding? Yes and no. Today’s Parent deciphers the often interchangeable terms — “In the UK, where “weaning” refers to the introduction of complementary foods, this term makes a lot of sense, but here in North America, most parents hear “weaning” and think it means stopping breastfeeding. That’s why North American baby reference books tend to refer to it as “baby-led feeding” or “self-feeding” to avoid confusion.” Can I Mix Methods? Use Purees and Solids? Yes. There is no right or wrong way to introduce solids. Ultimately, the method or timing depends on what works best for your baby. We design our First Feeding sets to work with either method for this very reason. We include a silicone suction bowl perfect for purees or mashed foods and a double-sided, easy-grip dipping spoon with one end made for scooping and the other for dipping into purees or for parents spoon-feeding. Pros of Starting With Purees & Traditional Weaning Less time meal prepping and chopping or breaking up food, plus popular pouches make on-the-go feeding easier. More comfortable regulating how much your baby is eating and their nutritional intake. Less mess. Purees get less distance when thrown. Creates less food waste. Self-feeding means introducing a range of foods, many of which baby might turn down (or put in their hair), making excess waste. Downsides of Spoon-Feeding Less variety. You are limited to prepackaged pureed foods, or you have to take extra time to blend whole foods you want to incorporate into your baby’s diet. Infants don’t get the tactile and sensory experience of feeding themselves. It’s in the name. You have to sit and spoon-feed baby at every meal instead of exploring foods and textures themselves. Pros of Skipping Purees and Jumping into Self-Feeding Solids Independence. Your little one has control over what they eat, promoting confidence and earlier expansion of their palette, often associated with less fussy eaters. Baby can often eat some of what you’re having (following nutritional & safety guidelines), so you don’t have to make separate meals. They decide when they are full. “Babies have an innate ability to self-regulate their food” — American Academy of Pediatrics. Promoting fine motor skills. Allowing babies to grasp and chew their foods can help advance and develop hand-eye coordination and oral skills. You can start with fresh whole foods vs. pre-packaged meals. Like the sound of this approach? Learn more about the benefits of self-feeding, helpful gear, and how to start with this baby-led weaning quick guide. Downsides of Self-Feeding & Baby-Led Weaning 📸 @easyhealthykids It’s Messy. There’s a reason we have dedicated an entire line of bibs, splat mats, and self-feeding products to capture the debris and minimize the mess that often comes with this method. There’s more to consider & it can be worrisome. Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics reporting little difference in either method’s safety, many parents get nervous introducing solids from the start — having to account for nutritional needs, potential allergies, and avoiding foods that pose choking hazards. The takeaway? There’s no “right” way to introduce solids. The best method is the one that fits your baby’s needs and personality. Check out @athomewithastghik and @yummytoddlerfood for some creative and nutritious meal ideas to get started!