Is What You’re Doing BLW? (And Does It Matter?)

I get asked all the time: “Can I switch from spoon feeding to BLW?” or “Can I do a mix of both?”
I’ve even heard of parents being kicked out of online groups for not being “true” BLWers. Honestly? That kind of judgement and misinformation is exactly why I started Starting Solids Australia in the first place — and why I’m still so passionate about changing the conversation today.

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So, what actually is BLW?

Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is often thrown around as though it’s a strict set of rules. In reality, it’s not a method, it’s an approach — and at its heart is responsive feeding.

Responsive feeding simply means:

• Trusting your baby to decide if, what, and how much to eat.

• Following their cues rather than pressuring or overriding them.

• Letting them explore safe, graspable foods from the start.

• Including them at family mealtimes so eating is social and enjoyable.

That’s it. BLW is not about banning spoons or outlawing purees. In fact, Gill Rapley herself has said purees are just another texture, and spoon feeding can fit within a responsive approach. Learning to use a spoon is an important skill — why take that away?

Can you “switch” to BLW later?

Absolutely. Just like a mum who transitions from formula to breastfeeding, your baby may not have been “fully BLW’d” from day one, but you can definitely start following a baby-led approach now. It’s never too late to trust your baby more and lean into their cues.

Can you do “a bit of both”?

Offering some spoon feeding and some finger foods works perfectly well in real life — many families do it. This has actually always been recommended from around 6 months. Just be mindful to maintain the ideals of responsive feeding. Let your baby come to the spoon and consume what they need rather than putting the spoon inside their mouth.

Do definitions matter?

• For research? Yes. Clear definitions help researchers measure outcomes like eating habits, growth, or obesity risk. Without them, studies get muddy and the benefits of BLW can be harder to prove.

• For real life? Not really. Most of us aren’t raising our babies in a clinical trial — we’re just trying to feed them safely and sanely at home, in cafés, or at grandma’s house.

The bigger picture

Labels like BLW, puree, or “traditional” weaning can be useful for understanding ideas, but they should never be used to divide or shame parents. The heart of BLW is responsive feeding, and that can happen with finger foods, with a spoon, or with both.

So instead of asking, “Am I doing BLW the right way?” maybe the real question is:
👉 “Am I following my baby’s lead and supporting them to explore food confidently and safely?”

If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track — labels aside.

✨ At Starting Solids Australia, our mission has always been less judgement, more support. Because feeding your baby should feel empowering, not like a test you can fail.