4 Ways to Find a BLW Rhythm That Balances Milk and Solids
How to Make Milk + Meals Work Together Without Guesswork or Guilt
Solids aren’t here to replace milk — they’re here to complement it. And yes, there’s a rhythm that works for both of you.
Prefer to listen?
If you’ve ever wondered…
“How much milk should my baby be drinking now that we’ve started solids?”
“Is it normal for them to want less milk?”
“Am I supposed to offer food first or milk first?”
You’re not alone. One of the most common questions I hear from parents is how to balance breastmilk or formula with solids during baby-led weaning. And the truth is — there’s no one perfect routine. But there is a rhythm. And in this post, I’m walking you through 4 ways to find it.
This isn’t about rigid feeding schedules or rushing the process. It’s about helping you understand how milk and solids work together during that all-important first year.
Let’s get into it.
1. Solids Are Complementary — Not a Replacement
Here’s the biggest mindset shift to make: for the first year, milk is still your baby’s main source of nutrition. Solids are there to add, not replace.
Yes, even if your baby loves solids. Yes, even if they’re barely touching their bottle after lunch.
We want to give babies exposure to flavor, texture, chewing, swallowing, and social eating skills — while still getting most of their nutrients and hydration from milk.
Think of it like building blocks:
Milk is the foundation. Solids are the colorful new pieces stacked on top.
If your baby’s solids intake starts to reduce their milk feeds too much, I often recommend pulling back on solids a bit to make sure they’re still getting enough of what they need.
Because when we say solids are complementary, we really mean it. Just picture a day like this:
Nurse in the morning
A few strips of avocado at lunch
Afternoon bottle
Family dinner with soft carrots or roasted chicken
That’s a balanced BLW day — and it doesn’t mean dropping milk to “make room” for solids. It means letting both do their job.
2. Follow Baby’s Hunger + Fullness Cues
Babies are surprisingly great at self-regulating when we let them.
Some days, your baby might not finish a bottle — and that’s okay. Other days, they might devour two scrambled eggs and ask for milk 20 minutes later. That’s okay too.
One week your baby might seem obsessed with solids, and the next week all they want is milk. That’s not regression — that’s rhythm.
Instead of tracking every ounce or bite, zoom out and look at the week as a whole. Ask yourself:
Are they generally happy and engaged during feeds?
Are they growing and having enough wet diapers?
Are they showing interest in solids but still taking milk?
If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.
One story I love: A mama I worked with panicked when her baby suddenly took way less milk. She thought she had “messed up” by introducing solids. But the next week? He was back to his usual bottles like nothing happened. That’s development at work. Babies ebb and flow. And they’re doing great — even if it’s not always predictable.
I get this question all the time — “Should I feed solids or milk first?”
Here’s my simple answer: Milk first. Solids after.
At least for the first few months of baby-led weaning.
Why?
Because a hungry baby who needs nutrients might get frustrated with solids they don’t yet know how to eat. And a baby who’s already had their milk will feel calm, satisfied, and curious — the perfect combo for playful learning at the table.
That said, if your baby has a sensitive gag reflex or tends to throw up if milk is too fresh in their belly, wait 30–60 minutes before offering solids. A little space helps!
You might be wondering where this confusion came from — and it might be the word “weaning.”
In the UK, “weaning” simply means introducing solid foods. But in the US, “weaning” usually means reducing milk. So when we hear “baby-led weaning,” we assume it means cutting back on nursing or bottles.
But the truth is: BLW means baby leads the way in self-feeding — not that milk gets removed from the picture.
So for now, think of milk as the main dish and solids as the side dish. That plate will flip later, but not yet.
3. Offer Solids After Milk (Especially at First)
4. Stay Flexible — and Give It Time
Milk-to-solids balance is a gradual shift that plays out over months — not days.
If your baby suddenly prefers solids this week but only wants milk next week, that’s normal. If they skip a bottle one afternoon but wake up hungry for an extra early feed the next morning, that’s normal too.
Things like teething, naps, growth spurts, and routines at daycare can all change their appetite. What matters most is the big picture — and your willingness to stay flexible.
There’s no one-size-fits-all BLW schedule.
Some families offer solids once a day at first. Others do two meals. Some give milk right before solids. Others space it out. All of these can work.
Follow what works for your baby and your family. You’ve got this.
Let’s Talk Numbers (but not obsess over them)
Here’s a helpful ballpark:
🍼 Most babies 6–12 months old still take 24–32 oz of breast milk or formula per day.
That number may taper gently as solids increase, but it won’t suddenly fall off a cliff. Think slow shift, not sharp drop.
A sample day could look like this:
Morning: Nurse, then try banana strips and eggs
Lunch: Bottle, then lentils or sweet potato
Afternoon: Milk only, maybe skip solids if baby’s full
Dinner: Bottle or nurse, then join family for carrots and chicken
See the pattern? Milk anchors the day, and solids slide into the family routine.
But Wait… Let’s Bust a Few Myths
❌ Myth 1: Solids should always come before milk
👉🏻 Not true. That can make solids feel pressured and stressful.
❌ Myth 2: You need to night wean once baby starts solids
👉🏻 Nope. Night feeds are still normal and often needed.
❌ Myth 3: Loving solids means baby needs less milk
👉🏻 Nope again. Solids are a bonus — not a swap.
If your baby prefers milk, keep offering solids gently. If they prefer solids, keep offering milk consistently. Both are important and both will shift naturally over time.
Quick Recap
Here’s what matters most:
✔️ Keep milk as your baby’s main nutrition
✔️ Offer solids after milk to keep things low pressure
✔️ Follow your baby’s hunger and fullness cues
✔️ Stay flexible and give it time
✔️ Trust the rhythm — even when it changes
You’re doing amazing, and your baby is learning so much at every meal.
Want even more support?
If you’re ready for a clear, calm plan to start solids with confidence, come join me inside BLW Academy 101: The First Two Weeks — my step-by-step course for real families like yours.
🎉 Learn more here: babyledweaningacademy.kit.com/firsttwoweeks
Feeding your baby doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Let’s make it simple, supported, and a little more fun.