What foods should I introduce first with BLW?

Starting BLW is an exciting step. The goal with first foods is to offer pieces your baby can easily grasp and bring to their mouth — soft but not crumbly pieces.

Good first-week options:

• Soft vegetables: Steamed butternut squash, sweet potato, carrot — finger-thickness, a consistency that easily squishes between two fingers.
• Avocado: Sliced or mashed, served with skin attached (slippery surface makes grasping easier).
• Banana: Half or a third, with part of the peel still on (helps with gripping).
• Broccoli and cauliflower: Steamed until soft, florets sized so she can hold by the stem.
• Meat/chicken: Thoroughly cooked and shredded, long pieces your baby can grasp.

How to serve:

Cut foods into sticks about a finger-thickness, long enough to stick out from your baby's fist. Place a few pieces in front of her, not everything at once. Model eating by having some from your own plate too. Let your baby explore at her own pace; how much she eats matters less than the exploration process itself.

Important note: Babies should be at least 6 months old for BLW, able to sit up without support, and show interest in food before starting. In the first few days, start with just one food at a time so you can easily identify which food causes an allergic reaction if one occurs. Always stay nearby and never leave your baby unattended.