Many parents unconsciously choose baby-led weaning, particularly with second or subsequent children. Baby led weaning simply means that you let your baby feed himself. Babies love to copy their older siblings or their parents and if supervised at feeding time, will often try to grab food from their plates and are often much happier if they are allowed to feed themselves.

Since 2003, the UK Government changed its weaning advice inline with the World Health Organisation advising that you wait six months before introducing solids. Parents traditionally weaned their babies on to fruit or vegetable purées or baby rice, moving on to other pureéd foods as their babies grew, finally introducing mashed foods and foods containing small lumps after six to seven months.

Now the guidelines state that this weaning process should start from six monthsbecause mostbabies at this stage are able to sit up supported and grab and grip food with their fingers.

Although the Department of Health advises parents to start the weaning process at six months with mashed foods, it also recommends including finger foods in your baby's diet as soon as your baby seems ready.

Babies who are allowed and able to feed themselves by being offered a selection of nutritious finger foods can join in with family meals from the start.

Parents who have used baby-led weaning recommend using foods that are shaped like a chip. This is because small babies have not yet developed a 'pincer' grip and can only hold foods in their fists. If you would like to try baby led weaning, offer your baby a selection of nutritious finger foods suitable for your baby's age when you and your family are eating and let him join in. It will be messy as at first he might just play with the food, or he might hold pieces of food in his fist and start to suck on them. Carry on breast or bottle feeding in between mealtimes. Be guided by your feeding regime once he starts on solids as your breast/bottle routine will decrease.

What about choking?

Parents understandably worry about the possibility of babies choking or gaggin but as long as babies can sit upright, the fact that they can handle their own food and move it to the back of their mouths means the risk of choking is minimal. Introduce mashed food if you are nervous - but let him use his fingers. However, it is important to remember that babies should never be left unattended when eating.

(If your baby is formula-fed, you should offer him several drinks of water in between feeds and at mealtimes. Breastfed babies do not need to be given water because breastmilk is a drink as well as a food.)

Reasons why you shouldn't try baby-led weaning

If you have a family history of allergies, digestive problems or food intolerances, or if your baby was born prematurely, do talk to your health visitor or GP before starting. If your baby has special needs and has impaired chewing skills or fine motor skills, he might not be able to feed himself successfully, and so baby-led weaning would not be suitable for him.

For more information visit www.babyledweaning.com