Starting your baby-led weaning (BLW) journey with your little one is such an exciting (and nerve-wracking) milestone. Making sure you have the right baby led weaning essentials can make this transition smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your baby.
In this guide, we’ll explore a couple of baby-led weaning essentials that will come in handy when starting solids!
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Must-Have Starting Solids Essentials:
Amazon high chair
A sturdy, easy-to-clean high chair is a must-have for safe and comfortable feeding. Look for features like adjustable trays, secure straps, and easy wipeable surfaces. A minimalist design also makes cleaning easier, which you’ll appreciate when dealing with messy meals.
Elk and Friends Kids 6.7” Porcelain Divided Plates with Silicone Suction Sleeves
These porcelian plates are perfect for serving multiple food items while keeping them separate! The silicone suction sleeves keep the plate in place, and is nearly impossible for baby to unstick from the highchair so you don’t have to worry about the plate ending up on the floor! I had heard many moms complain about silicone plates starting to taste like soap so I wanted to stay clear of those!
ezpz Mini Cup + Straw Training System
Introducing an open cup and straw early on helps develop your baby’s oral motor skills. The ezpz Mini Cup is perfectly sized for tiny hands and mouths!
Silicone Baby Fruit Food Feeder & Baby Food Freezer Tray Set
This combo is great for offering fresh food in a safe, chewable way. The feeder allows your baby to suck on small fruit pieces without the risk of choking. The freezer tray is perfect for making homemade purées or frozen fruit bites, which are also soothing for teething babies. I’ve even seen some moms freeze breast milk and give to baby for teething too!
NumNum Baby Spoons Set, Baby Essentials Pre-Spoon GOOtensils for 6+ Months
These beginner spoons are perfect for little hands learning self-feeding. Unlike regular spoons, they don’t require scooping—your baby can simply dip them in food and bring them to their mouth. This helps reduce frustration and encourages independence! I love the added texture on these too!
Set of 3 Silicone Baby Bibs Waterproof
Mealtime with BLW gets messy fast, so a set of waterproof silicone bibs is a game-changer. These bibs have a deep pocket to catch dropped food, keeping your baby and the floor a little cleaner. Plus, they’re easy to wipe down or toss in the dishwasher.
Crinkle Cutter
Okay, I honestly thought a crinkle cutter was a little unnecessary but once I used it, I understood the hype! It creates easy-to-grasp, textured pieces of fruits and vegetables, making them less slippery and easier for your baby to hold. It also adds a fun, wavy texture that encourages sensory exploration.
nutribullet Baby BSR-0801N Turbo Food Steamer
This little steamer makes it SO easy to steam veggies, making them soft enough for baby! Again, not really an essential but makes the world of a difference!
Shop these baby led weaning essentials here!
Tips for a Successful Baby-Led Weaning Journey
- Start Slowly: Introduce one new food at a time to monitor for allergies and let your baby explore flavors and textures.
- Embrace the Mess: BLW is MESSY—but it’s part of the learning process!
- Prioritize Safety: Always supervise your baby during meals. Cut food into appropriate sizes and avoid common choking hazards. We LOVED the app, Solid Starts. It tells you how to serve all types of foods depending on the age of your baby!
- Be Patient: Let your baby set the pace. Some days they’ll eat more; other days, they’ll just play with the food—and that’s okay! It took my baby about a week to even try putting any of the food actually in his mouth.
Starting baby-led weaning is such an exciting (and scary) time, and having the right tools makes the process easier and more enjoyable. From mess-proof bibs to easy-to-hold spoons and feeders, these essentials will help you and your little one embrace solids with confidence.
You got this mama!
