Most mothers start complementary feeding with purees, trusting traditional methods, but there are plenty who prefer early independence and the BLW method. 

Of course, it's not just up to the mothers how the baby learns to eat, as the little ones have a significant say in it too. Some babies happily slurp from the teaspoon, while others would prefer to snack on their own from the very first moment.

How can you know what's best for your baby? Puree or BLW, teaspoon or messy little hands? Let's find out!

Which is better: puree or BLW?

As mothers, we often experience that raising and feeding children becomes an unsolicited community sport: everyone knows better and tells you how to do it right. The beauty of it is that, of course, everyone advises something different, thoroughly confusing the mother, right?!

Instead of believing in some universal truth, let's accept that babies, families, and mothers are different. What is perfect for one of us is uncomfortable for another. What one baby enjoys might frighten another. Whether it's puree or BLW, the most important thing is to establish a secure attachment and a healthy relationship with food and eating.

Remember, it's not just important what the baby eats, but also with whom, when, how often, and under what circumstances! The shared experience, respect for meals, and love for feeding and nutrition are important and can be a cornerstone of a healthy life later on.

Supplementary feeding guide: introducing solid foods

For most mothers, even deciding exactly when the time for supplementary feeding has come is a challenge. Some listen to their mothers and give apple juice to their three-month-old, while others follow the advice of the health visitor and start at the time they indicate. The reality, however, is that the little ones know exactly when their time has come! To choose the optimal time for supplementary feeding, it is more than enough to pay attention to the signs.

The Benefits of Puree

Traditional, puree-based complementary feeding sometimes seems old-fashioned, but it actually has its advantages. If you devour life with a teaspoon,

- the little one gets to know textures gradually, in several steps. From light, thin purees similar in consistency to breast milk, you can create various textures to reach solid foods, giving the baby a chance to adapt. With puree-based complementary feeding, there is plenty of time to acquire the skills necessary for successful nutrition.

- you know exactly how much the baby has eaten. Since the spoon method allows for precise measurement of the consumed amount, you will know what and exactly how much the little one has eaten. So at least you won't have to worry about that.

- you can provide food to the little one immediately at any time. One of the most practical advantages of puree-based complementary feeding is that you can always access nutrient-rich and quality-tested baby food suitable for the baby's age, feeding stage, and taste,

- less chaos, at least in the initial period. Every mother's nightmare is the daily five-time complete cleaning, which is almost inevitable with a baby or toddler. If you start complementary feeding with puree, you can control the first weeks and months - then the chaos comes anyway.

However, puree-based feeding is not a very mother-friendly method in other respects, as you will never be able to eat your own lunch warm. (Except if everything comes together during nap time and you can have a peaceful lunch alone with a good book or your favorite series, ideally with dad or a friend.) 

Did you know that spoon feeding should normally last no more than 2-3 months?! Indeed! However, since the baby will rarely see you eating at the same time as their own meal, imitation learning will be more difficult for them, and they will mostly learn much later how to eat independently. 

The Benefits of BLW

BLW, or baby-led weaning, is a method where the essence is to give the baby food to hold from the start of complementary feeding and let them take control. Allow them to grab, squish, or even smear the food and eat at a pace and in a way that is comfortable for them. This can be daunting for a mother managing a household, as it can involve a lot of mess and cleaning, but there are also advantages to the BLW method.

If you practice BLW with your baby, 

- you never have to cook separately, as the little one - following the rules of complementary feeding - can eat the same as the family members.

- the family can eat together. Since the child eats independently, it is not necessary to focus solely on them, allowing you to eat at the same time.

- the child eats as much as they want. Since the baby leads the process in BLW, they will stop eating when they are full. This helps avoid overeating, reduces the likelihood of stomach aches and digestive problems, and fosters a healthy body awareness.

- the world doesn't revolve around eating. Since foods of various textures - including puree-like foods - do not need further pureeing, cooking, or blending, the mother's - and thus the baby's - life does not revolve around food and eating. More time is available for play and attention to each other, while the importance of eating does not become unhealthily emphasized.

- complementary feeding is no longer a burden. Parents of BLW children are more confident and creative in preparing their child's meals, offering various textures and flavors, which continuously encourages the child's development.

However, BLW also comes with some disadvantages: the home - and the child - will often require thorough cleaning, and as a parent, it can be challenging to manage the fear of choking hazards.