Everyday Wholesome | 4 Baby Led Weaning Hacks

I chose Baby Led Weaning (or Baby Led Feeding) to feed all of my babies. Two of them took to it more than the other. I have a few other posts about Baby Led Weaning on the blog like my post on baby led weaning starter foods or baby led weaning food lists. In this post, I will share with you some of my hacks and modifications to make things easier and to help keep baby from gagging/choking at the very beginning of baby led weaning.

Throughout the years and adding in more kids…. I’ve gotten busier and learned a few baby led feeding tricks and hacks along the way that I thought I would share with you.

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THE VERY BEGINNING OF BABY LED WEANING

After paying attention to my babies during baby led weaning times 3 babies, I’ve realized that there seems to be a time at the beginning of Baby Led Weaning where baby is still learning and not quite ready to chew and swallow. They are exploring. They are learning. They are gagging and they are making mommy nervous. They aren’t quite ready to eat all the food yet. But they are learning, They are learning to chew and swallow….and not gag or choke. They are learning to hold foods. They are practicing their hand to mouth coordination. And then……there comes a time where they just GET IT.

All of a sudden, my babes just GOT IT and started really EATING foods. Woohoo. That was a fun day. But until then I think it’s okay to modify and give some baby food purees, popsicles, etcetera. They don’t really NEED the food we’re feeding them. For about the first 9 months breast milk is their real source of nutrition. But feeding them junky foods should be limited or not happens at all. They are exploring and having fun. You’ll know, mama, when your baby is still hungry and needs more food. Trust your instincts, mom.

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BABY LED WEANING HACKS & MODIFICATIONS

Here are some Baby Led Weaning Hacks (& modifications) I used along the way that you might want to try during a time when you’re busy and you forgot to make baby led weaning food or when you’re too nervous to give them whole foods yet. That’s okay too! Mama, do what makes you comfortable. Trust your gut!

You might think…..why give any of these things as spoons listed below? I really believe that even if baby cannot chew true baby led weaning starter foods that it’s best to let baby feed himself. So, I don’t ever put food in his mouth or hold his hands back while I feed him with a spoon. Yes, it’s messier but it’s so good for their coordination and independence. Most of the ideas below are ways to help him feed himself before he is able to eat true starter baby led weaning foods or keep food on a spoon from tray to mouth.

BABY FOOD POPSICLES.
- You can use baby food purees to freeze in these handy little freezer pop containers.
- Oh shoot. I just realized I have something else plastic in my kitchen I forgot about when I did this post on my PLASTIC FREE KITCHEN. Oh dear.
- I have the Munchkin Freezer Pop Mold but this Freezer Pop mold also looks good.
- I also use these popsicle molds for breast milk or water for a teething baby.
NUBY TEETHER AS A FIRST SPOON.
- Until baby is ready for a spoon like this baby’s first spoon, I used this Nuby Teether as a spoon.
  - It’s silicone so it’s safer than plastic.
  - The food sticks to it better so it doesn’t just fall onto the high chair as soon as baby picks it up.
  - Just make sure you wash it out really well in between uses!
  - It works really well for ground beef and ground organ meats (which are a great source of iron that baby really needs starting at 6 months old)
FROZEN AND RAW VEGETABLES AS TEETHERS.
- Frozen broccoli and asparagus are favorites.
- Raw peppers cut into wedges. Think 4 pieces per large peppers and 2 pieces per mini sweet peppers
- Raw carrots with the outside peeled off.
- Raw celery sticks.
- Use this FRUIT & VEGGIE SOAK and this FRUIT & VEGGIE SPRAY.
- CAUTION: AS ALWAYS, WATCH BABY WITH ANY FOOD. AND REALLY JUST WATCH BABY ALL THE TIME. I know at my house there are choking hazards everywhere!
RAW PEPPERS AS SPOONS
- When baby was ready for a bigger spoon I gave him this one. I really always gave it to baby to chew on but baby can keep food on it better as he gets older.
- I also gave him half of a mini sweet pepper (cut and wash it and take the seeds out) and use a veggie soak or spray. I would dip it in baby food puree or put some ground beef and organ meat on top.

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NONTOXIC BABY LED WEANING IDEAS…

If you’re reading about baby led weaning, you care about your family’s health. You’ve started thinking about food choices. It’s natural to start looking at all the things you allow into your home and start researching all the products you allow in your home….from clothing to cleaners to beauty products. If you click around this blog you’ll find a lot of the things I personally use in my home. Feel free to message me and I’ll help you through it all! It’s my passion to help other moms to make their journey to toxin free living easier than mine has been!

A FEW IDEAS FOR YOU….

Fruit and Veggie Soak
Safe Spray for tray. (Get the 14.4 oz! It will last for a year!) It’s important to clean baby’s eating surface but it also must be food grade ingredients because baby is eating off that surface. I use this all over my house for all the cleaning and it has really simplified my routine.