Introducing your baby to solids is one of the most exciting milestones of early parenthood. But one of the first decisions you’ll face is: Should I start with purees or try baby-led weaning (BLW)?
Both methods have benefits and challenges, and the right choice depends on your baby’s development, your lifestyle, and your comfort level. This post compares baby-led weaning vs. purees so you can make an informed, confident decision.
What Is Baby-Led Weaning?
Baby-Led Weaning is a feeding approach where babies self-feed soft, manageable pieces of food from the start, rather than being spoon-fed purees. It usually begins around 6 months when the baby can sit up and grasp food independently.
What Are Purees?
Purees are soft, blended foods given by spoon-feeding. This method is often used from around 4 to 6 months and progresses gradually to chunkier textures as the baby grows.
Pros and Cons of Baby-Led Weaning
✅ Pros
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Promotes independence: Babies learn to feed themselves, improving motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
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Encourages healthy food habits: Exposure to a wide variety of textures and flavors may reduce picky eating later on.
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Family meal time: Babies eat what you eat (with some modifications), making meal prep easier for the whole family.
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Less reliance on store-bought baby food: You can offer safe, natural table foods without extra processing.
❌ Cons
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Messy: Baby-led weaning can be very messy. Be prepared for food on faces, clothes, and floors.
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Choking concerns: While BLW doesn’t increase the risk when done properly, it can cause anxiety in some parents. Always supervise and offer safe food sizes and textures.
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Nutritional monitoring: It can be harder to measure exactly how much baby eats, so you’ll need to keep an eye on intake, especially for iron-rich foods.
Pros and Cons of Purees
✅ Pros
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Controlled feeding: You can monitor exactly what and how much your baby eats.
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Ideal for early stages: Purees are perfect for younger babies (4–6 months) who haven’t developed strong chewing or motor skills.
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Easier to introduce allergens gradually: You can control ingredients precisely to watch for reactions.
❌ Cons
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May delay self-feeding skills: Prolonged spoon-feeding might postpone the development of chewing and coordination.
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Less exposure to textures: Babies used to smooth purees might struggle with chunkier foods later.
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More work for parents: You need to blend and prepare separate meals unless you’re buying store-bought options.
Can You Combine Both Methods?
Yes! Many parents find that a combination of BLW and purees works best. For example:
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Start with purees for iron-rich foods and allergens
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Offer soft finger foods during meals to encourage independence
This flexible approach gives you the best of both worlds—nutrition, control, and development.
Safety Tips for Starting Solids
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Always supervise during meals
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Sit your baby upright in a highchair
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Avoid choking hazards (grapes, whole nuts, raw carrots, etc.)
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Introduce one new food at a time to monitor for allergies
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Stay calm and relaxed—your baby will follow your lead
Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Solids
Regardless of which method you choose, your baby should:
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Sit upright without support
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Show interest in food
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Have good head and neck control
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Try to grab food and bring it to their mouth
These signs usually appear around 6 months.
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to starting solids. Baby-led weaning offers independence and sensory exploration, while purees provide structure and ease into solid food gently. Many families find success with a hybrid approach, taking cues from their baby’s readiness and comfort.
The most important thing? Make mealtime positive, relaxed, and enjoyable. Whether you’re spoon-feeding, offering soft chunks, or doing both—you’re helping your baby build a healthy relationship with food.
