5 Social Benefits of Baby Led Weaning

The benefits of baby led weaning beyond the dinner table.

Feb. 7, 2023

Baby led weaning bib by Bibbrella

Parents and experts alike have touted baby led weaning (BLW) as the best approach for fostering a positive relationship with food. Sure, baby led weaning helps your little one establish healthy eating habits and practice motor skills, but did you know that BLW has a number of social benefits too? This unique weaning method helps kiddos build confidence, encourages independent decision making, and more! So, grab your favorite BLW bib from Bibbrella and dig in to find out how baby led weaning can nourish your munchkin’s social life.

Boost Confidence 

It’s no secret that one of the major upsides of baby led weaning is that it gives children a chance to explore and practice their newly developing motor skills. But a less discussed benefit is the boost in confidence that babies get from mastering these skills. The more babies continue to practice various weaning skills, the more they realize that their actions can actually lead to concrete results! 

Practice Decision Making 

When children are spoon-fed, they have little say in the types of food they’re given and even less in how those foods are prepared. This is why baby led weaning is often recommended for fussy eaters. BLW allows kids to have more ownership over the eating process by giving children the opportunity to choose from a variety of textures and ingredients. In turn, growing babies form a healthier relationship with food. 

Develop Individual Preferences 

Kids aren’t just figuring out how to pick up utensils or chew food when they’re weaning; children are also learning how to make decisions that support their needs and desires. When there are a variety of options available, kids develop preferences for what they want to eat and how. Through baby led weaning, parents can nurture a healthy sense of individualism as their kids continue to make small choices that lead to real action in their day-to-day lives. 

Voice Opinions and Preferences 

As children grow increasingly self-assured and confident about their food preferences, they also become more skilled in voicing those opinions. When babies vocalize their preferences, they’re also observing how people respond to requests and beginning to understand that how they request (or demand) for what they want can lead to different results.  

Play and Explore Without Judgment 

When kids are given the chance to explore and play without judgment, they learn that being curious has positive consequences. This involves more than just trying out new foods. Baby led weaning allows children to observe and try out social skills, too. Mealtime is an opportunity to test behaviors like babbling or talking while chewing, laughing at eating oopsies, and using a fork for all the wrong reasons. In other words, mealtime gives kids a chance to experiment with different types of social behaviors in a safe space. Encourage your munchkin to explore and play freely during mealtimes by being prepared for messes. A full-coverage bib keeps messes off your baby and your stress under control!