Looking for the best baby-led weaning books? Find the best dietitian-approved books here to help you start solids with your baby confidently.
If you are here, you likely are seeking more information about introducing solids to your baby, with specific interest in the baby-led weaning approach! There is a huge range of baby-led weaning books available on the market, making it tough to decide which one(s) to pick. Some parents may be interested on the logistics of how to start the process of baby-led weaning, while others may just need recipe inspiration! This blog will help you to narrow down books that best meet your needs and preferences, as well as offer tips on what to look for when shopping for baby-led weaning or starting solids books.
What is Baby Led Weaning (and why might you want to consider it)?
Baby-led weaning is a feeding method that involves serving your baby finger foods (prepared to a safe shape and soft texture) right from when they are developmentally ready to start eating (at around 6 months). Read bullet point number six in this blog on how to tell when your baby is ready for baby-led weaning (and starting solids in general). If you decide to opt for baby-led weaning, it does not mean that you need to skip spoon-feeding purees altogether. Opting to do a combination of both feeding methods introduces your baby to a wide range of variety and textures!
Baby-led weaning has the benefit of allowing your little one to independently feed themselves, encouraging fine motor development and dexterity, and may potentially reduce picky eating later on. With this method, baby is 100% in charge of how much they eat, and the pace at which they eat at each meal. This is not to say that traditional spoon feeding can’t also be baby-led. If the care-giver is tuned into baby’s cues (hunger and fullness), they will be able to feed accordingly!
Why is it important to have a few books to support baby-led weaning?
There are many books available on this popular feeding method, but is it important to choose up-to-date, evidence-based books that provide accurate information, preferably from a pediatric registered dietitian. From purely educational baby-led weaning books, to books focused solely on baby-led weaning recipes, you will be able to collect a robust repertoire of books that support you and your wee one along the starting solids journey. Most of the books I have listed below are available on Kindle and Audiobook versions if paperback isn’t your thing!
What to look for when shopping for baby-led weaning books:
- The credentials of the author- Is the author a health care professional such as a registered dietitian, occupational therapist or speech language pathologist? It’s important that the educational information in the book has been vetted by a pediatric feeding specialist to ensure its accuracy.
- How old is it? Look for books that are relatively new or are updated editions. If it was published quite a while ago, it likely contains outdated information.
- Is it educational or just recipes? Many baby-led weaning books contain both! If you feel well-versed in the process of baby-led weaning, you may only want to purchase a cookbook or one that contains mostly recipes.
- Easy to navigate- A clear, concise, and easy to read book is ideal for learning about baby-led weaning. Look for a straight-forward table of contents that lists topics you are wanting to know more about. It is ideal if the books layout is visually pleasing to you, making it enjoyable to pull out and read. If you are purchasing an educational baby-led weaning book ensure that it has a section that lists research articles referenced in the material.
- Realistic recipes with accessible ingredients– Take a skim through the recipes to make sure that they contain food items you have access to at your regular grocery store (and ingredients that are cost-effective to buy for the whole family)
- Inclusive and non-judgmental- Books that tout that baby-led weaning is the best (and only) way to feed your baby properly, it likely is not evidence based in how it is communicating other information in the book. Baby-led weaning is a wonderful approach to feeding your baby, but there is no evidence to support the claim that it is better than traditional spoon-feeding purees. In fact, either method will work! The deciding factor comes down to what you feel will work best for you and your baby. See this blog (insert link for BLW vs. Purees blog) for a comparison between the two methods.
Best educational books on introducing solids and baby-led weaning
Feeding Littles and Beyond: 100 Baby-Led-Weaning-Friendly Recipes the Whole Family Will Love
Star rating on Amazon: 4.8/5
Publication date: August 30, 2022
Authors credentials: Judy Delaware is an occupational therapist, Megan McNamee is a registered dietitian
Synopsis: Reviews baby-led weaning strategies and common parental concerns, includes a index visual on plating food that babies can feed themselves, how to meal prep foods on a busy schedule, how to navigate picky eating and dining out, promotes positive food language and body positivity, includes 100 recipes for baby-led weaning
Simple & Safe Baby-Led Weaning: How to Integrate Foods, Master Portion Sizes, and Identify Allergies
Star rating on Amazon: 4.5/5
Publication date: January 28, 2020
Authors credentials: Malina Linkas Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN, is a registered dietitian
Synopsis: Includes a basic overview of baby-led weaning and what to expect along the way. Review safety guidelines and how to navigate/ identify allergies in your little one
Baby-Led Weaning in 5 Easy Steps: A New Parent’s Guide
Star rating on Amazon: 4.3/5
Publication date: May 11, 2021
Authors credentials: Courtney Bliss is a pediatric registered dietitian
Synopsis: Straightforward 5 step process to navigate through baby led-weaning, includes common trouble shooting tips for parents, includes a variety of simple recipes to try out
The Parents’ Guide to Baby-Led Weaning: With 125 Recipes
Star rating on Amazon: 4.5/5
Publication date: Sept 1, 2017
Authors credentials: Jennifer House, RD, BSc, MSc is a registered dietitian specializing in young families
Synopsis: Includes tips for getting started on baby-led weaning including safety information on food shapes/sizes, strategies for food allergies and picky eating, and guidelines for modifying family meals for baby. Includes 125 family friendly recipes
Baby-Led Feeding: A Natural Way to Raise Happy, Independent Eaters
Star rating on Amazon: 4.6/5
Publication date: March 13, 2018
Authors credentials: Jenna Helwig is a food director, freelance writer, culinary instructor and personal chef
Synopsis: Easy to follow introduction to baby-led weaning. A photo driven book that gives information on how to get started, safety and nutrition guidelines, includes sample menus and recipes reviewed by a registered dietitian
Best baby led weaning cookbooks
The Super Easy Baby Led Weaning Cookbook: 55 Simple Recipes to Introduce Your Baby to Solids
Star rating on Amazon: 4.3/5
Publication date: August 31, 2021
Authors credentials: Tok-Hui Yeap, RD, CSP, LD, is a pediatric nutritionist
Synopsis: A complete baby cookbook focused on introducing baby to new tastes and textures. Includes a variety of simple and healthy recipes with information on the basics of baby-led weaning, also include allergens at a glance
BLW Baby Food Cookbook: A Stage-by-Stage Approach to Baby-Led Weaning with Confidence
Star rating on Amazon: 4.5/5
Publication date: Oct 22, 2019
Authors credentials: Ellen Gipson MA, RDN, LD, is a registered dietitian, Laura Morton MS, RDN, LD is a registered dieititan
Synopsis: Has a focus on intuitive eating and fostering a healthy relationship with food, includes 102 recipes that are grouped at each stage of development, includes practical tips for baby-led weaning
Annabel Karmel’s Baby Led Weaning Recipe Book: 120 recipes to let your baby take the lead
Star rating on Amazon: 4.3/5
Publication date: May 25, 2017
Authors credentials: Annabel Karmel is a children’s cookery author
Synopsis: A practical guide designed to provide a flexible approach to feeding. Accommodates to families who want to do baby-led weaning exclusively or want to do it alongside nutrient rich purees. Offers family friendly recipes paired with simple tips and advice to help you decide what is best for your baby.
The Baby-Led Weaning Cookbook—Volume 2: 99 More No-Stress Recipes for the Whole Family
Star rating on Amazon: 4.3/5
Publication date: October 1, 2019
Authors credentials: Gill Rapley has a PhD in comparing spoon feeding to self-feeding, Tracey Murkett is a journalist, writer and breastfeeding supporter
Synopsis: Includes 99 easy and delicious recipes for baby-led weaning, and also reviews the benefits of baby-led weaning
Best books for nutrition from birth to childhood:
Food to Grow On: The Ultimate Guide to Childhood Nutrition–From Pregnancy to Packed Lunches
Star rating on Amazon: 4.2/5
Publication date: April 13, 2021
Authors credentials: Sarah Remmer RD, is a prenatal and pediatric registered dietitian, Cara Rosenbloom RD, is a registered dietitian and journalist
Synopsis: Gives you all the tools you need to confidently nourish your growing child while setting them up for a positive relationship with food, provides advice from pregnancy up until your little one starts school, provides evidence-based information on both baby-led weaning and traditional spoon feeding.
Raising a Healthy, Happy Eater: A Parent’s Handbook, Second Edition: Avoid Picky Eating, Identify Feeding Problems, and Inspire Adventurous Eating, from Birth to School-Age
Star rating on Amazon: 4.1/5
Publication date: March 29, 2022
Authors credentials: Nimali Fernando MD, MPH is a pediatrician, Melanie Potock MA, CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist specializing in pediatric feeding disorders
Synopsis: tailored advice from newborn through school-age, latest research and guidance feeding concerns, barriers to eating well, the sensory system, meal time struggles, including baby-led weaning, helps to identify special feeding needs and avoid the picky eater trap.
How to Raise an Intuitive Eater: Raising the Next Generation with Food and Body Confidence
Star rating on Amazon: 4.5/5
Publication date: Jan 4, 2022
Authors credentials: Sumner Brooks LD, RDN is a registered dietitian, Amee Severson RD is a registered dietitian
Synopsis: Educates with the wisdom of intuitive eating to help parents reject the diet culture and raise children who have a healthy relationship with food and their bodies, also includes information on baby-led weaning (although this is not the focus of the book).
Other great baby-led weaning resources:
Feeding Littles | Feed Your Kids With Confidence
Happy Healthy Eaters
Solid Starts – Introducing real food to babies
Picky Eater Help | Melanie Potock (mymunchbug.com)
Baby-led weaning blogs from our website:
- Food to Grow On – Sarah Remmer, RD
- Beginner’s Guide to Baby-Led Weaning | Sarah Remmer, RD
- Choking and Baby-Led Weaning: What You Need to Know (sarahremmer.com)
- How to Start Baby-Led Weaning with Banana – Sarah Remmer, RD
- Pancakes for Baby-Led Weaning – Sarah Remmer, RD
- Baby-Led Weaning with Cauliflower – Sarah Remmer, RD
- Baby-Led Weaning with Eggs: Hard Boiled, Scrambled and More! – Sarah Remmer, RD
- 5 Baby Cereal Recipes for Baby-Led Weaning | Sarah Remmer
- How to Start Baby-Led Weaning with Sweet Potato – Sarah Remmer, RD
- Top 5 Baby-Led Weaning – Friendly Ways to Use Fruit and Veggie Pouches (sarahremmer.com)
Leave a Comment