Baby-led weaning (BLW)

Offering suitable finger foods that a baby can bring to their own mouth.

Some families combine finger foods and spoon feeding. The linked guides explain readiness, safe preparation and supervision.

In a sentence

What does “Baby-led weaning (BLW)” mean?

Offering suitable finger foods that a baby can bring to their own mouth.

Related guides

Baby-led weaning vs purees: how they compare and how to start

What baby-led weaning (BLW) and spoon-feeding purees involve, how they compare on safety, iron and mess, how to do each one well, and how to combine them.

Starting solids: readiness signs, first foods and how much

When and how to start solids, the signs your baby is ready, what to offer first, how much food by age, and how advice differs in Australia, the UK and the US.

Sources

NHS — Your baby’s first solid foods

Sources checked 2026-10-10. Source checks are editorial; this summary has not been independently clinically reviewed.

General information, not medical advice. For concerns about your child, talk with your doctor or child-health nurse.