What to Do When Your Partner or Baby’s Caregiver Isn’t Sold on Baby-Led Weaning
You’re ready. Your baby’s ready. But… someone else isn’t.
Here’s how to navigate the pushback with confidence, clarity, and kindness.
Prefer to listen?
So you’ve done the research.
You’re excited to start baby-led weaning.
And then…
Your partner raises an eyebrow.
Your daycare says, “We don’t do that here.”
Grandma insists, “We used purees and you turned out just fine.”
Sound familiar?
If the people helping care for your baby aren’t on board yet, this episode is for you.
It’s not judgment — it’s fear
Most resistance to baby-led weaning isn’t about being critical — it’s about being scared.
They’re worried about:
Choking
Doing something wrong
Going against how they were raised or what they know
And honestly? That’s valid.
You’re changing the script on a deeply emotional topic — how we feed our babies. That can feel tender.
One of the most common fears I see?
👉 “If you’re doing BLW, does that mean I did it wrong?”
Whether it’s your partner or your mom, there’s often an emotional undercurrent. It’s not just about sweet potatoes — it’s about legacy, love, and feeling like they were a good parent too.
Let’s reframe the conversation with grace and facts — not defensiveness.
So what do you say?
Here’s how to bring people on board:
Start with empathy
Ask: “What are you worried about?”
Listen without jumping in. That’s where trust begins.Use clear, calm language
“Baby-led weaning means we offer safe, age-appropriate whole foods and let baby explore at their own pace. It’s not just handing them a steak and hoping for the best.”Share resources(SHERRY MAKE SURE THESE THREE POINTS ARE ALL LINKED. /1 /OD AND /FTW)
Send them Episode 1 of this podcast
Invite them to watch Orientation Day
Print the caregiver handout inside Baby-Led Weaning: The First Two Weeks
Let them see it in action
Watching your baby self-feed avocado calmly is more convincing than any lecture.
What if they’re still not on board?
That’s okay.
Here’s the truth:
You can still do baby-led weaning even if others don’t.
Many parents only do BLW at home during:
Breakfast or dinner
Weekends
Times when they’re present
And guess what? That still counts.
Your baby is still building confidence, skills, and a foundation for lifelong eating.
If your partner’s the one who’s hesitant
This deserves extra care.
Start by acknowledging both of your roles and finding middle ground:
Combo feeding (BLW at home, purees elsewhere)
Letting your partner observe a few meals first
Starting with softer foods or preloaded spoons
This isn’t about “winning” — it’s about building trust and rhythm as a team.
Real-life example
One of my BLW Academy mamas, Sarita, faced this with her daughter Emmy.
Daycare wasn’t comfortable with BLW, so Emmy had purees during the day — and baby-led meals at home.
By the time daycare caught up, Emmy was a rockstar with finger foods because Sarita laid that foundation.
That’s the power of showing up with consistency, even when not everyone is ready yet.
Practical next steps for caregiver buy-in
✅ Have a calm conversation
Ask what’s making them hesitant. Don’t assume judgment.
✅ Share the caregiver handout
It’s clear, friendly, and designed to explain BLW without overwhelm. (Find it inside BLW: The First Two Weeks)
✅ Offer to demo a mealtime
Seeing is believing — especially when it comes to gagging vs. choking.
✅ Choose familiar first foods
Let them offer foods like soft banana or roasted sweet potato so they can ease in with confidence.
You’re not alone in this
Whether you’ve got a skeptical grandparent or a cautious co-parent, remember:
You don’t have to convince everyone overnight.
You just have to stay grounded in your why.
This approach is gentle, evidence-based, and built for your real family — even if it looks a little different in every home.
🎓 Ready to bring others on board — and feel grounded yourself?
The caregiver handout, full BLW roadmap, and real support are all waiting for you inside
Baby-Led Weaning: The First Two Weeks.
👉 Grab your spot at babyledweaningacademy.com/ftw
You’ve got this, mama — and I’ve got you.
Even if Grandma thinks BLW stands for “Baby, Let’s Wait.” 😉