Starting Solids: A Big Milestone
Around 6 months of age, most babies are ready to start exploring solid foods. As a parent, you'll quickly encounter two popular approaches: traditional purees and baby-led weaning (BLW). Both are valid, evidence-supported methods — the best choice depends on your baby, your lifestyle, and your confidence level.
What Are Purees?
The traditional approach involves spoon-feeding smooth, blended foods to your baby, gradually increasing texture over time. You typically progress through stages:
- Stage 1 (6 months): Thin, smooth single-ingredient purees (e.g., sweet potato, pear, carrot)
- Stage 2 (7–8 months): Thicker purees with mixed ingredients
- Stage 3 (9–12 months): Mashed and soft lumpy foods
Purees give parents more control over exactly how much their baby eats and which ingredients are introduced, making it easier to identify potential allergens one at a time.
What Is Baby-Led Weaning?
Baby-led weaning skips purees entirely. Instead, you offer soft, age-appropriate finger foods from the start, allowing your baby to self-feed and explore textures, flavours, and shapes at their own pace. Foods are cut into finger-sized strips or pieces that a baby can hold and gum.
Advocates of BLW suggest it may support the development of fine motor skills, self-regulation of appetite, and a healthy relationship with food from the very beginning.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Purees | Baby-Led Weaning |
|---|---|---|
| Texture progression | Gradual, parent-controlled | Immediate soft finger foods |
| Mess level | Lower | High — embrace the mess! |
| Parent control | Higher intake tracking | Baby self-regulates |
| Motor skill development | Limited early on | Strong fine motor practice |
| Choking risk | Lower with smooth purees | Manageable with proper food prep |
| Family mealtime | Separate preparation needed | Baby joins family meals easily |
Is Baby-Led Weaning Safe?
Safety is the number one concern parents raise about BLW. Research suggests that when done correctly, BLW does not increase the risk of choking compared to spoon-feeding. The key is understanding the difference between gagging (normal and protective) and choking (requires immediate action).
To keep BLW safe:
- Always supervise meals — never leave a baby alone while eating
- Avoid round, hard foods like whole grapes, raw carrots, or whole nuts
- Ensure foods are soft enough to squish between your fingers
- Learn infant first aid and what to do if choking occurs
The Combined Approach
Many families find success with a mixed approach — offering some purees alongside soft finger foods. This gives babies exposure to both textures and lets parents balance convenience with exploration. There's no rule that says you must choose one method exclusively.
Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Solids
Regardless of which method you choose, confirm your baby shows these readiness signs before starting:
- Can sit upright with minimal support and hold their head steady
- Shows interest in food — reaching for your plate, watching you eat
- Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex (no longer automatically pushes food out)
- Is around 6 months of age (consult your paediatrician for guidance)
The Bottom Line
Both purees and baby-led weaning can lead to happy, adventurous eaters. What matters most is responding to your baby's cues, offering a wide variety of nutritious foods, and making mealtimes a positive, low-pressure experience. Trust your instincts — and enjoy the beautiful (and messy) journey of feeding your growing baby.