When my daughters were babies, I made the decision to baby-led wean. At the time, it wasn’t as mainstream as it is now, and I remember getting a few raised eyebrows and plenty of unsolicited advice. But looking back, now that my youngest is six, I’m still so glad I trusted my instincts and chose a path that worked for us.
Baby-led weaning, for anyone unfamiliar, is simply letting your baby explore food at their own pace — skipping purées and spoon-feeding in favour of offering safe, age-appropriate pieces of real food they can feed themselves. It’s messy, it’s sometimes chaotic, but it was one of the most empowering parenting choices I made.
Following Their Lead
With both of my girls, I noticed early on that they were incredibly curious about what was on my plate. They didn’t want a separate bowl of mush; they wanted what I was eating. And instead of fighting that instinct, I leaned into it.
I started with soft, easy foods like steamed carrots, banana slices, and steamed broccoli. There was no pressure, no force-feeding — just exploration. Some days they ate a lot, other days barely anything, but I learned to trust that their little bodies knew what they needed.
And yes, the mess was unreal. Food in their hair, down their clothes, on the floor, stuck to the dog… but it was joyful. Watching them figure out textures, flavours, and how to chew was a beautiful part of their development — and it made mealtime feel like something we were doing together rather than me doing something to them.
The Benefits I Didn’t Expect
I initially chose baby-led weaning because it felt natural, but I quickly started noticing other benefits. They developed brilliant hand-eye coordination and confidence at the table. I didn’t need to cook two different meals or pack separate snacks — they ate what we ate (within reason, of course).
They also grew into adventurous little eaters. Don’t get me wrong — we had our fussy stages, just like any other family — but because they were exposed to a variety of flavours and textures early on, they weren’t afraid to try new things.
Another unexpected perk? It made me reflect on my relationship with food. I became more mindful of what I was cooking, how I ate, and the way I spoke about food around them. It wasn’t just about feeding them — it was about modelling a healthy, relaxed attitude at the table.
It Wasn’t Perfect — And That’s Okay
I won’t pretend it was all sunshine and cherry tomatoes. Baby-led weaning came with its fair share of worries. I had to learn the difference between gagging (totally normal) and choking (a rare but real fear). I spent time reading, watching videos, and even took a baby first aid course to feel more confident.
And like most parenting decisions, it didn’t work perfectly every single time. Some meals were a disaster. Some days I questioned myself. But the overall experience? I wouldn’t change it.
Everyone’s Path is Valid
Just like with cloth nappies, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, or anything else parenting throws at you — I believe in doing what’s right for your family. Baby-led weaning worked beautifully for mine, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for everyone. Some babies thrive on spoon-feeding, some need a mix of both, and some parents just need less stress — and that’s valid too.
The most important thing is that we’re feeding our children with love, care, and responsiveness. However we do it.
Final Thoughts
Six years on, my youngest is a full-blown chatterbox with strong opinions on food (“Mum, why do you like weird cheese?”) and the confidence to eat sushi, curry, and olives like a tiny queen. And I do believe baby-led weaning had a hand in that.
I’m grateful I followed my instincts. I’m proud of the choices I made. And I’ll always be the mum cheering you on — whatever feeding path you choose.
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