Baby-led weaning (BLW) is more than a trendy feeding method, it’s a powerful stage in your baby’s developmental journey. Around 6 months, when your baby shows signs of readiness (like sitting up with minimal support, showing interest in food, and losing the tongue-thrust reflex), you’re not just introducing solids, you’re handing them the reins to explore, taste, and learn through food.
At 9 months, Delaney is deep in this stage. Her meals are more than nutrition, they’re sensory-rich, skill-building opportunities. She’s learning to grasp, chew, self-regulate, and even communicate through signs and sounds at the table.
Why Baby-Led Weaning Supports Development:
1. Fine Motor Growth
Picking up soft spears of avocado or nibbling on mini muffins builds pincer grasp, hand-eye coordination, and bilateral movement (using both hands together).
2. Sensory Integration
Food textures, temperatures, and tastes all provide rich sensory experiences. This exploration builds tolerance for new sensations, reducing picky eating down the road.
3. Speech and Oral Motor Strength
Gumming and chewing help develop the same muscles used for speech. BLW supports stronger oral motor development compared to exclusively puréed feeding.
4. Autonomy and Confidence
When babies feed themselves, they practice decision-making. “Do I want more?” “How much?” This early autonomy fosters trust in their own bodies, the foundation of intuitive eating.
5. Family Connection
Because BLW encourages shared mealtimes, babies become observers of language, rhythm, and family culture around food. It’s a social experience, not just a task.
A Sweet Moment from Our Table…
I recently shared a reel on Instagram of one of Delaney’s favorite snacks, soft date brownies. I created them with BLW in mind: no added sugar, nutrient-dense, and soft enough for tiny gums. But here’s the fun part: I ended up loving them, too!
They’re baby-friendly, but mama-approved. No guilt, just good ingredients. And making them felt like a small act of love that nourished us both.
Date-Sweetened Brownies (BLW + Mama Friendly)
Ingredients:
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1 cup pitted dates
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½ cup whole milk (or breast milk/formula)
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2 eggs
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½ cup flour (oat or all-purpose)
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2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
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¼ cup mini dark chocolate chips (optional, or leave out for younger babies)
Instructions:
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Blend the dates and milk together until smooth.
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In a bowl, whisk in eggs, flour, and cocoa powder. Add the blended date mix.
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Stir in chocolate chips (optional).
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Pour into a greased mini muffin tin and bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes.
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Let cool before serving. (Store leftovers in fridge!)
Feeding Delaney is one of the most beautiful (and messy!) parts of our day. BLW isn’t always clean, but it’s deeply meaningful, it’s how she learns to trust her body, explore her world, and join us at the table. And when we share foods like these brownies, we’re building more than just strong bodies… we’re building bonds!