Baby-led weaning is where your baby is encouraged to explore and pick up food with their hands to feed themselves. It usually involves skipping baby purees and going straight to finger foods, once they are capable of eating solids at 6 months. We call it ‘baby led’ because your baby will be in complete control of what and how much they eat at mealtimes.

There are usually 3 signs that your baby is ready to move on and try solid food. But don’t worry if it takes your little learner longer, it’s important to trust your instincts and tune into your little one as they’ll let you know when they are ready!

1. Coordinate their eyes, hands and mouth
2. Can stay in a sitting position, holding their head steady
3. Swallow food (rather than spit it back out)

When your little one is ready to start baby led weaning, try finger foods that are soft to eat and in a finger shape like slices of avocados, as your baby grows along with their confidence you can try more tastes and textures. Great ideas for baby led weaning foods include: 

• Bread or toast soldiers
• Peeled fruit slices
• Cooked pasta shapes
• Rice cakes
• Our corn puffs!

Find other baby led weaning ideas by checking out our guide to the best weaning foods and what to avoid.