There’s Magic in the Mess — Of Baby-Led Weaning and Motherhood

Why the chaos isn’t a problem — it’s the point.

Overflowing high chair? Floor covered in banana? You’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing it right.

There’s Magic in the Mess — Of Baby-Led Weaning and Motherhood

Prefer to listen?

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the mess, the cleanup, the chaos — this one’s for you.

Maybe you’re thinking:

“Every meal ends in frustration. Is this actually working?”

“I wanted this to be fun… but mostly it feels exhausting.”

“I see other moms doing it so gracefully, and I’m just cleaning floors wondering what I’m missing.”

First of all: You are not alone.
Second: Let’s reframe that mess.

Here are four truths I want you to hold onto when things feel sticky, chaotic, or just not how you imagined:

1. Mess is a sign of learning.

Every squish, every smear, every flung piece of broccoli is your baby figuring out their world.

Your baby has never seen a strawberry before. They don’t know what it feels like, tastes like, or how it moves on a tray. That squish? That’s sensory learning. That fling? That’s motor development. That gummed-up bite that doesn’t get swallowed? Oral motor practice.

One mama, Kate, shared that she served avocado three days in a row and every time, her baby chucked it off the tray immediately. On day four? He picked it up, squished it, brought it to his mouth, and gave it a tiny lick.

One lick. That’s it.

And that? That’s progress. That’s learning. That’s exactly how it’s supposed to look.

2. The mess is temporary — the confidence it builds is not.

Baby-led weaning is about nutrition, yes. But it’s also about trust, independence, and lifelong skills.

When your baby gets to touch, taste, reject, and try again, they’re not just learning about food — they’re learning self-trust. They’re building confidence in themselves and in you.

You won’t be wiping oatmeal off the floor forever. But the foundation you’re building? That sticks around.

3. You’re allowed to feel two things at once.

Grateful and overwhelmed. Present and tired. Proud and totally unsure.

One mom in our community recently shared that she cried after a meal — not because anything went wrong, but because she’d tried so hard and it still just felt like a disaster.

She was holding the emotional weight of motherhood and the literal mess.

If that’s you? Your feelings are valid. You’re not doing it wrong. This isn’t about being cheerful through chaos — it’s about making space for the whole experience.

4. Social media is a highlight reel — not the whole meal.

You’re seeing someone’s best 15 seconds. Meanwhile, your baby’s howling because the banana broke in half, the dog is licking the tray, and you’re on your third coffee reheat.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re the only one struggling — but you’re not.

Please don’t compare your behind-the-scenes footage to someone else’s curated highlight reel. Your real life mess isn’t failure. It’s evidence that you’re showing up.

The big picture?

Baby-led weaning is just one little window into the rest of motherhood — raw, real, and often, yes… messy.

But the moments that feel the most chaotic are often where the real connection is happening.

You serve a couple of foods. One is squished, one is flung, one is tasted. You lock eyes with your baby while they gum on a carrot stick. You both laugh when they sneeze sweet potato into their bib.

That moment? It counts.
It matters.
It’s magic.

Quick cleanup tips to help you breathe:

Use a splash mat or shower curtain liner under the high chair — I like the ones from Bapron Baby. Use code BLWACADEMY10 for 10% off.

  • Keep a stash of wet washcloths nearby — one for baby, one for the tray, one for you.

  • Embrace diaper-only dinners. Fewer outfits = less laundry.

  • Start with easy-to-clean foods like steamed veggies, banana sticks, or scrambled eggs.

  • Let baby help clean up. Even handing you a spoon builds great habits early.

Final Takeaways

  1. Redefine success. A good meal is one where baby explored, even if nothing was swallowed.

  2. Take a photo of the mess. It’ll be a memory someday.

  3. Repeat this phrase: This is what learning looks like.

  4. Look for the connection. That’s what it’s really about.

  5. Remind yourself: You’re not behind — you’re in it. And that’s more than enough.

If no one has told you lately:
✨ You’re doing a beautiful job.
✨ The mess is part of the story.
✨ The magic is already happening.

Ready to go from overwhelmed to confident?

If you’re still thinking, “How is this supposed to feel fun?” — let’s fix that.
Orientation Day: BLW 101 is your simple, supportive, step-by-step plan for starting solids with calm, clarity, and confidence.

You’ll learn:

  • How to know your baby is ready

  • What to serve (and how to prep it)

  • And how to feel grounded in every bite

✨ Doors are open — let’s begin. ✨