I started BLW (baby led weaning) when J was 6 months old and I couldn’t be happier! It is a very long process and trust me there are still times where I need to spoon feed him myself just so that he will eat. J is a picky eater and he will eat when he feels like it so I have had many misses compared to wins when it comes to BLW, but now that I have been doing it for some time I feel as though I have a better grasp on it, at least enough to write this post! Here are the things that helped me. The number one rule is STAY CALM. There will be times you want to pull your hair out but it comes with the territory, Mama!

Wait until your baby is ready. Your child should be able to sit in a high chair without any help, be able to hold up their neck and be able to move food to the back of her mouth with up and down jaw movements. Not all children will be ready for BLW. Follow their cues such as taking an interest while you are eating, attempting to put your spoon or food in their own mouth are two that I watched closely and then decided to start J with BLW.

Continue Breastfeeding and Formula. This a huge one.”Weaning” is actually a bit of a misnomer. Breast milk or formula will continue to be a baby’s biggest source of nutrition until he or she is 10 to 12 months old! A lot of mothers tend to lower their child’s intake of BM or Formula but that isn’t a very smart idea!

Pull up a chair. You’re not off the hook for fully engaging at mealtime: Continue to socialize with—and supervise—your child. This makes your child more comfortable and puts him or her at ease.

Start with soft first foods. Ripe fruits, cooked egg yolks, flaky fish, moist and shredded meats, puffed cereals, and cooked portions of pasta and vegetables. I started off steamed pears, apples and dissolvable crackers.

Prep those foods for easy grasping. Substantial-size pieces either steam them or—cut in long, thin strips, coin-shaped, or with a crinkle cutter—are easiest for your baby to manage.

Consider nutrient intake. Make sure there are high-calorie foods and those with iron, zinc, protein, and healthy fats such as avocado and meat.

Prepare for messes. The goal of baby-led weaning is to let your little one explore food at his or her own pace, so that means smashing it, smearing it, dropping it, and probably making a big old mess at nearly every meal. Your floor will likely see the worst of it. You can place a garbage bag or a plastic tablecloth under the high chair for easy cleanup. I cannot tell you how much food I have had on my walls and in my hair!

Eat Together: Let your child eat with you while you have meals as a family. This helps because your he or she is watching your every move and they do try and mimic that themselves!

It’s always best to have the support of your MOM TRIBE so you don’t get overwhelmed!

Most of all, enjoy every moment because before you know it your child will be a grown up and you will miss these precious moments!