Among the weaning methods for children, there are three commonly used methods: traditional weaning (spoon-feeding), Japanese-style weaning, and baby-led weaning. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will share with readers basic knowledge about baby-led weaning, also known as BLW.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that mothers should only start feeding their babies solid foods when they are 6 months old, because at this time the baby's digestive system has only developed enough to be able to absorb foods that are thicker and more complex than breast milk.

Babies are growing and soon start to show an interest in trying new foods, and it’s normal for mothers to want to introduce their babies to new tastes and textures. However, not all foods are safe for babies. So which foods might be unsafe for babies to eat during weaning?

Baby-led weaning is a fairly simple activity, which means letting your baby feed himself from the beginning of solid foods. The term was originally coined by Gill Rapley, a former health worker and midwife. According to the most recent research, most babies are ready for solid foods at around 6 months of age, which is also the age when mothers are encouraged to wean according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

How to train your baby to chew? Most parents are very worried when feeding their children solid foods, wondering if this type of weaning is suitable for their children. They are afraid that their children may choke, cough, choke, or vomit when practicing eating solid foods and think that their children do not know how to handle food. Therefore, equipping parents with knowledge when feeding their children solid foods is extremely important.

Traditional weaning menu for 6-7 month old babies is suitable for Vietnamese culture, helping children absorb energy and nutrients fully as recommended.

Young children need to eat enough nutrients every day to grow healthy, strong and intelligent. At about 9 months old, the baby is growing rapidly and needs more energy and nutrients than at any other time in life. Therefore, parents need to understand the nutritional needs of 9-month-old children to supplement appropriately.

The weaning menu for 8-month-old babies needs to meet diverse and balanced nutritional needs from many food sources, while alternating breast milk for the baby.

When children enter the weaning stage, parents have a headache with choosing food, planning and menu for their children. So have parents determined which method to feed their children? What are the differences between weaning methods and what is the appropriate way to feed children?

Traditional weaning is still applied by many young parents because this method is quite suitable for Vietnamese culture and can help children absorb enough energy and nutrients from foods. However, implementing traditional weaning for children also requires parents to learn how to do it appropriately to help maximize the effectiveness of this process.

At 6 months of age, children begin to get used to foods other than breast milk. The weaning stage of children is considered a step marking a new stage of development. However, not all parents know how to wean their children properly. In particular, each weaning method always has its own advantages and disadvantages.