Baby-Led Weaning Doesn’t Have to Be All or Nothing
Why Purees Are Welcome Here (Yes, Really)
Your baby's high chair is big enough for both strip and spoon.
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Let’s bust one of the most persistent myths in the feeding world:
❌ “If I’m doing baby-led weaning, I can’t use purees.”
❌ “Isn’t spoon-feeding basically a failure?”
❌ “Won’t purees mess up self-feeding skills?”
The short answer? No, no, and nope.
The longer answer? Let’s dig in. Because today’s post is all about releasing the “rules” and understanding what baby-led weaning is really about.
Baby-Led Weaning Is About Who’s Leading — Not What’s on the Spoon
At its core, baby-led weaning isn’t a texture ban list. It’s a philosophy of responsive feeding.
Ask yourself:
Who decides what goes in baby’s mouth?
If the answer is your baby, you’re doing baby-led weaning — whether that’s with a broccoli spear or a pre-loaded spoon of yogurt.
It’s not about what you serve. It’s about how you serve it.
🥄 Purees Are Just Another Texture — Not a Problem
Let’s stop pitting spoons against strips.
Both offer incredible skill-building opportunities:
Finger Foods
Build grasp strength
Support jaw development
Encourage chewing
Purees
Develop tongue control
Teach utensil use
Expand flavor profiles
When used together, they help babies become confident, curious eaters — with no confusion, no pressure, and no shame.
Here’s What Baby-Led Puree Use Can Look Like:
Pre-loaded spoon on baby’s tray for self-feeding
Spread on toast sticks, like hummus or ricotta
Dip for veggies, like lentil puree with cucumber
Mixed bowls like oatmeal + smashed berries or quinoa + butternut squash
👉 If baby is in control, it’s baby-led. Even if the spoon is involved.
Myth Busting Time
MYTH 1: Purees delay chewing
TRUTH: Spoon-fed foods help develop tongue movements that support chewing.
MYTH 2: If you use purees, you can’t do BLW
TRUTH: BLW is about responsiveness and self-feeding — not ditching spoons forever.
MYTH 3: Purees and solids in the same meal overstimulate babies
TRUTH: Most babies handle texture changes beautifully when given control and time.
Real-World Example:
One mom I supported had a baby who loved mashed sweet potatoes but wasn’t keen on finger foods. We tried a combo lunch:
🥑 Avocado strips first
🥄 Then pre-loaded spoons of sweet potato mash
And guess what? Baby Sam alternated like a little pro. No pressure, no confusion — just practice and confidence.
5 Ways to Embrace Purees in BLW (Without Losing Your Mind)
1️⃣ Reframe purees — They’re texture practice, not a step back.
2️⃣ Pre-load a spoon and let baby take over.
3️⃣ Pair them with finger foods — A spoonful of yogurt next to toast fingers = magic.
4️⃣ Use purees as dips, spreads, or toppings
5️⃣ Follow baby’s cues — Responsive beats rigid every time
What This Could Look Like at Mealtime:
🥞 Breakfast: Banana-oat pancakes + pre-loaded spoon of mango yogurt
🥕 Lunch: Olive oil-roasted carrots + hummus dip
🌮 Dinner: Shredded chicken + avocado strips + cumin black bean puree on a spoon
It’s all BLW. It’s all valid. And yes — it’s all messy.
Final Thoughts:
You’re not failing if your baby likes purees.
You’re not behind if you’re mixing textures.
You’re not breaking rules — you’re feeding your baby.
Spoon, strip, or smush — if your baby is in the driver’s seat, it counts.
Orientation Day Is Still Happening 🎉
Catch the next live class OR the replay:
🗓️ Last session: Saturday, June 28
🎟️ Register at babyledweaningacademy.com/od
We’ll cover:
Readiness cues
Gagging vs. choking
First foods
Common concerns
Plus live Q&A
Hit subscribe so you don’t miss Monday’s bite-sized boost. Until then, keep it soft, keep it simple, and remember:
🥄 Your baby’s mouth is learning.
💛 You’re leading with love.
🙌 You’ve got this, mama — and I’ve got you.