“I've heard about baby-led weaning, but I'd also like to offer puree to my baby. Which one should I choose? Do I have to choose?”

If you’re starting solids and wondering whether to do baby led weaning (BLW) or traditional puree feeding, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions I get and an area of confusion for many parents.

The good news? You don’t have to pick one or another. Let’s briefly walk through each approach and how a mixed feeding method can give you the best of both worlds.

What's the difference between baby led weaning and puree?

The truth is there is no agreed definition for baby led weaning or puree feeding. But broadly, here’s how you can differentiate them:

Traditional Puree / Spoon feeding

Traditional puree feeding generally starts with smooth puree, progressing to thicker puree, then mashed foods then lumpy spoon foods.
Spoon foods can be offered when your baby is showing the signs of readiness, which may be a little before 6 months.
Finger foods tend to be introduced a bit later on.
It can be stressful if your baby is going through a spoon refusal phase.
This works for some babies but not all babies.

Baby-led Weaning (BLW)

Strictly speaking, BLW is a way of feeding babies that doesn’t involve purees at all.
BLW recommendations suggest starting only from 6 months of age when babies have the skills to manage soft finger foods
It's a relatively new approach, but in recent years it’s become a bit of a cult where spoons are completely banned. This is really unnecessary!
It can be challenging to introduce certain foods early on, particularly high iron foods which are often a tricky texture unless you mash or puree them.
This works for some babies, but not all babies.

Top tip:

Regardless of your approach to texture, all feeding should be baby led. Both BLW and Puree methods recommend responding to your baby’s cues and supporting them to explore food with their hands.

The Mealtimes Method is a mixed-feeding approach

I suggest offering a combination of spoon food and finger food from the start of solids. Technically this is a mixed feeding approach.

Spoon food is a great way to offer your baby foods high in iron in a form they can easily swallow. Most high iron finger foods aren’t really suitable for babies to actually eat much of.
Offering finger food is a great way to teach your baby self-feeding, which is our ultimate aim.
Lots of babies go through a phase at about 9-10 months where they start to refuse the spoon, but if they’ve practiced with finger foods from the start, then they’re much better equipped to be ready to feed themselves.
This approach really is the best of both worlds.

Baby Mealtimes members get heaps of support for what to offer your baby, how to serve it and tips and techniques for understanding your baby’s cues so you can follow them from the start.

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What if I started with puree and now want to offer finger foods?

Baby Mealtimes members ask me this all the time - and the membership will walk you through what to do. Here are some tips to get you started:

If you’ve only ever offered puree, then you can absolutely start to add in finger foods as soon as you like.
It's typical for babies to progress with spoon foods and finger food levels at different rates. Baby Mealtimes steps you through texture progression.
Regardless of age, if your baby has only had purees so far I recommend starting with level A finger foods. See below for examples from inside the membership.

Mixed feeding meal ideas

Here are some examples of meals you could offer your baby early on that combine puree and finger foods. We share more examples like this, as well as go into more detail in the Baby Mealtimes membership.

Pumpkin puree (level 1 spoon food) and Avocado wedge (level A finger food) Start with very ripe avocado that passes the smush test. If your baby finds it too slippery, try leaving the skin on for grip.
Spinach and sweet potato puree (level 1 spoon food) and Banana with skin on (level A finger food) To prepare banana as a level A finger food, trim the skin so that only a small amount of flesh is showing. This makes it easier for your baby to grip and stops big chunks from breaking off.
Rice, spring onion and egg* puree (level 1 spoon food) with well-steamed broccoli (level A finger food) and the inside of a ripe fig (level A finger food). *egg is a common allergen, follow the allergy guidelines when offering.

I want more ideas!

I've got so much to offer you. With Baby Mealtimes, you get access to a huge member library filled with meal inspiration, baby‑friendly recipes, fun finger food ideas and a step‑by‑step guide to starting solids. It’s tailored to parents with babies starting solids through to about 15 months.

Join Baby Mealtimes and I'll help you feed your baby with confidence.

Kyla x
Dr Kyla

Dr Kyla

Dr Kyla is a paediatric dietitian with a passion for helping families to feed their children well, without the overwhelm. She has a PhD in childhood weight management and 20 years experience working with restrictive eaters in her clinic and online programs. Kyla is also a mum of two and she knows the struggle today’s parents have with navigating limited time, information overwhelm, picky eaters and societal expectations.