Which is Better? Baby-led Weaning or Traditional Purees?

By Crystal Derksen

If you are planning to start solid foods with your baby, you’ve likely wondered, “How should I introduce solid food to my baby?”. And if you’ve turned to google, pinterest, or social platforms to try to gain clarity, you’ve probably felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and opinions on the topic. 

I hope to bring some clarity and encouragement as you decide how to introduce solid food to your baby. Let’s cut through the noise, and get back to the basics.

Methods of Introducing Solids

There are two primary approaches to introducing solid foods: traditional purees and baby-led weaning. It may seem like you have to choose one or the other (and you totally can!). However, you are free to choose what suits your family best! This could mean using one method exclusively, or combining both!

Traditional Purees

Traditional purees involve mashing or pureeing foods until they are slightly thicker than liquid. This method is typically more parent-led, as the parent usually holds the spoon- especially in the beginning. At first, purees should be quite runny, and you will gradually increase the thickness and texture over time.

 By around 9 months old, once your baby is showing signs of developing their pincer grasp, you’ll typically start offering soft finger foods. While babies using this method may consume larger volumes of food early on, the transition to self-feeding can sometimes take a bit longer, as parents are the primary feeders at the start.

Baby-led Weaning

Baby-led weaning involves offering large pieces of soft food or using other strategies to allow your baby to self-feed from the start. This approach is more child-led: the parent decides what’s on the tray, but the child decides if and how much to eat.

Just like with purees, around 9 months old you'll begin sizing down foods to transition to finger-foods. Babies may take more time to transition to eating more volume at first, but thanks to the early self-feeding practice, they often become confident, independent eaters sooner.

Choosing What Works For You

These two methods are quite different, which can make the decision feel overwhelming. The most important thing to consider is your lifestyle and comfort level.

Every family operates differently, and every parent brings unique experiences and levels of comfort to the table. Baby-led weaning may involve a bit more prep work, so if that doesn’t feel sustainable for you right now, that’s okay! On the other hand, if your goal is to sit down as a family and offer everyone the same food, baby-led weaning might be appealing.

If your lifestyle is more on-the-go, it might be more convenient to purchase pureed food — or you may prefer to make it yourself and pack it up. The options are endless!

There is no “right” or “wrong” way — as long as you're following appropriate safety guidelines. You might even blend both methods and create a routine that includes both purees and self-feeding. Do what works for your family, your lifestyle, and your sanity.

Knowledge is Confidence

In both my professional experience and personal life, I’ve found that confidence is the key to success. It doesn’t matter which method you choose — if you feel confident in your approach and understand how to implement it, you'll be empowered to stick with it… no matter what Nosey Nora at playgroup thinks!

Building Confidence

Getting support and education during this transition can be a game-changer. Consider joining a workshop on starting solids or a weaning support group. Having up-to-date, evidence-based information can help you make decisions that match your comfort level and lifestyle.

And remember to enjoy the process as your little one explores a whole new world of flavors and textures.

You got this, Mama!