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Baby-Led Weaning: How To Help Your Baby Feed Themselves
Stow the blender. Put down the spoon. Many parents are finding out that the best way to wean their babies is to let them feed themselves. There are countless methods to help your little one transition from the bottle or breast to the highchair. Yet, baby-led weaning is quickly becoming the most popular. And for good reason: this method lets little ones explore their senses, refine their motor skills, and get used to various textures and tastes, all while saving parents time and money.
What is baby-led weaning?
Baby-led weaning–or baby-led feeding–means skipping traditional transitional foods, such as purees and store-bought products, and instead letting babies feed themselves finger foods. Babies join family meals and eat a baby-modified version of whatever's on the table.
When to start baby-led weaning
Babies are usually ready to begin baby-led weaning at around six months. However, each baby is different and might be developmentally ready at a later time. It's essential to wait until the baby shows clear cues they're ready to feed themselves. The following are signs to look for:
- Ability to sit upright with minimal support
- Ability to hold their head steady
- Baby reaches for objects, picks them up, and places them in their mouth
- Baby makes chewing or gnashing motions with their mouth
How to start baby-led weaning
As always, speak with your pediatrician before making any changes to your baby's diet. Once you have the green light from the doctor and your baby is showing signs she's developmentally ready, you can begin letting her sample family meals.
Always modify foods so they're baby safe. You should only offer soft foods cut up into small pieces to avoid choking. Cut food into spears or strips so your baby can easily grip them in their hands. Be patient, and don't be afraid to let your baby make a mess. Self-feeding is an excellent way for babies to explore their senses and fine motor skills, so let them keep trying even if more food is getting on the floor than in their mouths.
What to use for baby-led weaning
It’s important to invest in safe and practical baby feeding products. Use a large bib such as a bapron, so you can let the little one go at it without worrying about a wardrobe change. Save yourself a headache by choosing plates and bowls with suction bottoms to avoid flipped-over meals. Forgo using hard plastic utensils as babies can easily poke themselves. The best starter utensils are soft, such as this food-grade silicone fork and spoon set (which also has the added benefit of being super adorable!).
The benefits of baby-led weaning
Baby-led weaning is great for parents because it means less time and money spent on purees and store-bought baby foods. It's also beneficial for babies’ development. Babies learn how to practice self-regulation, which means knowing when to stop eating when they're full. And, all that gripping and waggling of fingers lets them practice their fine motor skills. Lastly, baby-led weaning introduces babies to the idea of mealtime with the family.
The best foods for baby-led weaning
The best foods to feed your baby are small enough to avoid choking yet large enough for your baby to hold in his hand with enough sticking out for him to see. Food should be soft enough for them to chew or gum. Here are some great baby-led weaning foods:
- Ground meat, or soft meat that you can easily pull apart
- Small strips of roasted, baked, or steamed veggies (such as carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes)
- Soft ripe fruits cut into spears such as avocado, mango, kiwi, and banana
- Pureed textured food such as yogurt and applesauce
Little Bubba Shop believes in helping parents cultivate a healthy and fun environment for their little ones. We're committed to only offering eco-friendly products that are organic and free of harmful substances, such as phthalates, parabens, and plastics like BPA.
We would love to hear from you! If you have any comments or questions, feel free to drop us a line.
The Benefits Of Eco-Friendly Baby Products
If you're a parent, you've likely thought a lot about creating a safe environment for your little one. Unfortunately, some baby products contain chemicals and plastics that can harm your baby and the environment. The good news is that most eco-friendly baby products are made from sustainably-sourced materials and are free from harmful chemicals. They're also readily available and just as easy to use as their less carbon-friendly counterparts.
Read on to learn how you can benefit by choosing sustainable baby products.
Organic baby products don't contain harmful chemicals and plastics
Multiple studies have found that certain chemicals and plastics used in baby products contain carcinogens and can even interfere with babies' hormones. Sustainable baby products, such as those made from bamboo and wood, are made without BPA and other plastics. They’re also naturally free of unwanted chemicals such as phthalates and parabens.
A baby’s skin is delicate and more sensitive than an adult’s, so it’s essential to protect it from chemical stresses. Switching to organic baby clothes and blankets dramatically reduces the number of pesticides and harmful dye chemicals that come into contact with your child’s skin.
Not sure what's truly organic? Look for GOTS or OEKO-Tex certified pieces, as these are trusted industry standards.
Sustainable baby products are naturally antibacterial and antifungal
Every parent knows disinfecting all the surfaces little ones touch and put in their mouths can be challenging. Products made from bamboo and soy are naturally antibacterial and antifungal, so there's no need to worry about them harboring harmful bacteria. And, because bamboo can substitute both plastic and cotton, it can replace nearly everything from toys to blankets.
Using biodegradable products means less guilt when your baby outgrows them
It's no secret taking care of a baby generates a lot of waste. And the reality is it can take around 500 years for things like disposable diapers and plastic toys to decompose. Products made from bio-degradable materials, like these bamboo bowls or this cup made from plants, are durable, safe, and won't sit in a landfill forever.
Sustainable materials are long-lasting and more durable
Plastic baby accessories, such as toys and booster seats, easily crack and break over time. Sustainable toys–like this wooden lacing toy–are super durable and can last for decades. Meaning there's a better chance of passing them on as heirlooms. And they have the bonus of being super cute!
Switching to sustainable baby products reduces your carbon footprint
According to this 2017 study, having a child in a developed country adds 58.6 tons of CO2 to your carbon footprint each year. Taking care of a baby is demanding enough, and the thought of going green may be overwhelming to some parents. Fortunately, switching to sustainable baby products is an easy step in reducing landfill waste and preventing the release of harmful chemicals into the environment.
Little Bubba Shop believes in helping parents cultivate a healthy and fun environment for their little ones. We're committed to only offering eco-friendly products that are organic and free of harmful substances, such as phthalates, parabens, and plastics like BPA.
We would love to hear from you! If you have any comments or questions, feel free to drop us a line.
Dolls that last a Lifetime
When you hold a Blabla you are holding one end of a very important thread, one that connects us all, a strand of goodness, comfort, and love for the planet and everything on it.
WE ARE ALL CONNECTED
BEAUTIFULLY HANDMADE
Our products are knitted
and embroidered patiently
by amazingly skilled artisans,
one stitch at a time, one day
at a time, each one is unique.
FAIRTRADE
Blabla has its own atelier in Peru.
We’ve been working with the
same artisans for 15 years and
care very much about our
small Peruvian team.
Increasingly concerned with environmental challenges,
we plant a tree for every doll we sell
through our partnership with @onetreeplanted
HIGH QUALITY NATURAL MATERIAL
Our dolls are knitted from high quality natural
Peruvian fibers which make them incredibly
soft and huggable.
SAFETY TESTED
Each of our dolls has been tested to meet the US
and European safety requirements.
Our yarns have been additionally certified
to be safe and non toxic.
AUTHENTIC and TIMELESS
Our knits are created with ancient skills, yet they feel contemporary.
Something about them feels timeless. A blabla friend is a friend for life.
Special Note from Little Bubba Shop Owner, Tracie Hoover:
Like everything we carry, Bla Bla Kids dolls have been enjoyed in our own homes. My granddaughter received her first doll when she was 1 and we know it will remain a favorite for a lifetime. We love their mission as it aligns with our own!
This Months Featured Brand
ABOUT EARTH MAMA
This is Melinda Olson; she’s the original Earth Mama. A mother and nurse, Melinda is also a not-so-secret plant lady/gardener and avid herbalist. (Yes. Her garden is amazing.) But in the spring of ’97, Melinda began studying medicinal herbs and how to extract their healing powers — which led to planting, nurturing and harvesting a wide variety of herbs. What was once a hobby “blossomed” (Intentional pun! You’re welcome!) into a life-changing understanding of plant medicine.
In 2001, she began making and sharing organic tinctures, teas, soaps and salves using self-grown herbs. These were safe formulations grounded in earth wisdom and ancient knowledge — and they worked. Melinda had a feeling the world was ready for this kind of medicine — especially pregnant women, postpartum women, and their babies. And thus, Earth Mama the Company was born. The right way: in a garage.
Eventually, Earth Mama outgrew Melinda’s garage, laundry room, dining room, kitchen and halfway down the bedroom hall, so the company expanded into a facility in Clackamas, Oregon. Soon, thousands of pregnant women and new mamas looked to Earth Mama for safe herbal products for baby care, and to effectively treat the discomforts of pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding.
Now, Melinda’s company is known as Earth Mama Organics … but it’s still the same reliable, trusted line of mama and baby care that began over two decades ago. Even better? Melinda still makes the formulations, still runs the company, is still obsessed with plants, and, if you ask her, will probably share her wisdom about what it really means to be organic. For hours. Maybe even days. But honestly? That’s fine by us.
EARTH MAMA'S CORE BELIEFS
Do No Harm
The fierce and protective mother instinct is at the heart of Earth Mama Organics. We give you our solemn, hand-on-heart vow: we will go to the ends of the earth to make sure our customers are safe and unharmed. And just like motherhood, our work is never done: we endlessly rethink, reevaluate, research and reformulate. If there’s a safer way, we’ll find it.
Nature is Our Pharmacy
Grandmothers, mothers and daughters have known this since the beginning of time: medicine is abundant in nature and for every common discomfort, we believe there’s a plant to help. That ancient wisdom hasn’t changed — and herbal remedies still work today.
Education Empowers
All mothers are powered by love and em-powered by knowledge. Education is in our DNA. The more we all know, the better equipped we are to make choices that safely nourish our bodies and the environment.
Honor the Body’s Ingenuity
Our body can already breathe, beat its heart and grow babies with little to no effort on your part. It also has the ability to compensate for every day toxins. But like all systems, it can become overloaded and fail. So every ingredient in every Earth Mama product is consciously chosen to allow our bodies to work their innate magic.
Mamas Need One Another
We all have something in common: we want our children to be happy, healthy beings. We celebrate motherhood as the basis for community and support, because as it turns out … we’re in this together.
With their permission, This article was taken from Earth Mama Organics website. At Little Bubba Shop we are Moms and Grandmas ourselves and are 100% behind the Mama Earth Organics products.
We use them on a daily basis! I especially love the lip balms and the Baby Face Nose and Cheek Cream-yep, I use it on my own skin :) My daughters in law have used the nipple butter and still use the diaper balm regularly on my grandchildren. I also have a good friend who swears by the eczema cream. She said it was the only thing that worked on her daughters severe eczema!
Be Well and stay safe my friends,
Tracie Hoover
Owner- Little Bubba Shop
Every little bit helps
As a parent, there are so many choices to make. When they are newborn ~ are they sleeping OK, are they growing OK, are they getting enough to eat, are they eating too much, and as they get older ~ what to feed them, what clothes they should wear, what school to go to, how much screen time is too much screen time. You as parents, new or experienced know what I mean. The list could go on forever. With everything to think about, everything we juggle, it’s pretty difficult to worry about where all of our clothing and products come from.
Over the years, through research and countless studies, we have learned that harmful chemicals and terrible working conditions are what keep some big brands in business. Many are affordable, well known brands we grew up with! Knowing this can make the decision of what brands to purchase for your family a little harder. The bad news is that with these brands operating this way, employees are being treated poorly and we may see the negative side effects of toxic chemicals in our children’s clothing and products. The good news is, a lot of companies are just as concerned about your baby’s health as you are and they are taking a stand on how the clothes are made from farm to store.Words like sustainability, fair trade, and organic farming are not just buzzwords anymore, they are becoming a requirement for a lot of parents and brands.
What Does it Mean for Clothing to be Sustainable?
Many companies you know and love are guilty of using dangerous chemicals and pesticides during the growing and production processes. In order to create the adorable tiny human outfits we love, extra, more unnatural steps are often taken.
There are toxic chemicals added to clothing at several different stages of the creation process, from coating the cotton in pesticides during the growing stage to coloring the fabrics in harsh dyes in the production stages. Not to mention the amount of water that is wasted throughout the entire process.
All of these things do not make for a greener, more sustainable planet.
By choosing brands that are more eco-friendly and sustainable can be more than just a trend. It can be a way to give back to the environment and to our future generations. By purchasing from the brands that are focused on better practices, made from 100% organic materials, sustainable materials (such as bamboo or soy) or that are exchanged and produced through fair trade and fair working conditions - you are taking a step towards making this a better place for the next generation.
What Does Fair Trade Mean?
When you see a fair trade label it means that they have taken the time to seek out manufacturers who are paying their employees a living wage, not overworking them, and making sure they are treated fairly. A lot of brands have made a difference by pushing to make sure that not only are the clothes, toys, and accessories that they are putting out are made naturally, but also ethically.Baby Brands That Are Giving Back
Many businesses are showing their support for making the planet a better place for us and all the tiny humans that inhabit it. This is at the core of Little Bubba’s mission and vision. Little Bubba Shop ultimate goal is to provide you with the brands that take pride in producing ethical, sustainable and organic products.
Here are some of the brands we would like to share with you, and a little about the great and unique things they are doing:
Under the Nile
When farmed and used properly, Egyptian cotton creates a soft and safe material for not just your sheets, but also wear for you and your kids. Under the Nile was founded by a mom who was tired of the lack of care and concern that went into the ingredients used to make her children’s clothing. She wanted clothing that was safe enough for children to wear without getting skin irritation or other negative side effects from the “fast fashion” industry.
She partnered with an Egyptian farm just north of Cairo that puts community and sustainability first - making a company that provides sustainable and socially responsible baby clothes while showing that authenticity and transparency are the best and most important business practices.
Warm Human
Other baby brands are making strides in not just organic and all-natural products, but also products that are geared towards mindfulness for kids. Warm Human gives back in more ways than providing products with all-natural and organic ingredients, but they also have essential oils, sanitizers, and other items that focus on aromatherapy and the healing power that scent can bring.
Warm Human has a line especially for kids with sprays like superpower, peacefulness and monster go way!
All of their oils are sourced from farmers who practice transparency and ethical standards, so you know that you are getting the best from start to finish.
Here’s an example of their excellent product:
These lightly scented sprays help clean, refresh and inspire moods, rooms, clothing and yoga mats.
We’ve added a thoughtful blend of pure therapeutic-grade essential oils to base that includes; witch hazel, aloe, grape-seed extract, tea tree oil and alcohol.
- Spraying into the atmosphere of rooms (classrooms, bedrooms, offices, yoga studios, etc) to enhance mindfulness, positive moods and set the intention.
- Spraying onto clothing and bedding to lightly scent and refresh (great for after yoga practice, working out, or sports practice. Or before you go into a meeting, or at home when you go to bed to help you relax.
- The combination of tea tree oil, witch hazel and grape-seed oil with essential oils make them great for wiping down and cleaning your yoga mat, fitness equipment, toys, and other surfaces.
Collections: Kids Mindfulness Sprays
Finn & Emma
Finn & Emma is a favorite for a lot of parents and Little Bubba Shop because they are all-natural, all organic, and all kinds of cute.
They carry outfits and accessories that use only 100% organic cotton, eco-friendly dyes, and natural wood in every single one of their products. Finn & Emma is another brand that cares about everyone involved in the textile creation process - they make sure that their products are
produced in fair trade settings that focus on social and economic independence for local people, especially women.
Making them one of the top brands to buy from when trying to purchase ethically and sustainably.
Charlie’s Project
Next on the list is Charlie’s Project, created by a mother on behalf of her son to help bring awareness to autism and down syndrome, 20% of their profits go to select charities for autism, down syndrome, and Haitian children’s education every year.
They have a huge selection of comfortable and affordable clothes for kids and adults. Also, around Spooky Season, you have to check out some of their own-of-a-kind tiny human costumes.
They are truly making a difference with every purchase.
Bla-Bla Kids
We love the dedication that Bla-Bla Kids puts into everything they make! Each one is hand-knit in Peru by skilled artisans and made from hand picked cotton. Everything is 100% organic, right down to the yarn which is certifiably safe and non-toxic.
But that’s not all, folks!
With every doll that is purchased, a tree is planted. So not only are Bla-Bla Kids making sure that the people who make them and the kids who love them are safe and happy, but they are also helping rebuild some of the damage caused by the textile industry by planting a tree after every purchase.
Global Mamas Fair Trade
Another loved brand by Little Bubba Shop is Global Mamas Fair Trade.
A group of lovely women from Global Mamas saw the struggles that other women entrepreneurs were facing in Ghana because of a lack of skills that it takes to run and maintain a business, so they started a nonprofit aimed at helping women entrepreneurs with their business management skills. But once they started to run out of people to sell their products to in Ghana, the women of Global Mama’s came up with a new plan to provide a steady source of revenue.
So now they have created a system that ensures each small business has plenty of work and gets paid fairly and punctually for their high-quality products. Each one of their products are hand crafted and beautifully made in Ghana by women who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families.
Slumberkins
Founded by an educator and family therapist, their goal was not only healthy ingredients, but healthy minds as well. Slumberkins has a giant collection of stuffed animals and books that promote early emotional learning with themes such as conflict resolution, creativity, and mindfulness.
We love and want to be a part of their mission to raise the next generation of caring, confident, and resilient children.
Carefully Curated for You
Little Bubba Shop is all about proactive steps and choices to making this planet just a little bit better than we left it, which is why we work so hard to research and curate a collection of brands and products that are not only stylish, but also safe and natural for your baby all in one place.
There are a lot of hard decisions and choices that you make as a parent and advocate for your little ones, so at Little Bubba Shop, we make it just a little bit easier to make the right choice!
Check out our wide range of sustainable, eco friendly and natural products
The Everyday Parents Guide to Sustainability
In the baby clothing world there are tons of new buzzwords that are circulating through the Mommy & Me groups, the Facebook Groups, and blogs. Words like sustainability, faire trade, and of course the all important ORGANIC. But what do these words actually mean and should we be bending our backs and wallets to make sure everything we buy for baby has these buzzwords printed all over them?