BLW Meals AppBLW Meals App
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • Starting Solids
    • How to Serve
    • BLW
    • Nutrition
    • Mealtime Behavior
    • Food Tips
    • Lunchbox Tips
    • Recipes
    • Quizzes
  • About Us
  • Socials

Socials

Elevate your scroll.
Join our BLW Meals community on Instagram and Youtube! 

Get all the knowledge you need from our team of pediatric feeding experts delivered right to your feed! 

blwmealsapp

blwmealsapp

🍓Confidently feed your baby & navigate picky eating
💚Created by Dietitians, Pediatricians, & SLPs
👑3.5 million+ app downloads
Get it for FREE 👇

Hi! Emma here (Speech-Language Pathologist). If y Hi! Emma here (Speech-Language Pathologist).

If you’re in that stage where your baby barely sleeps, you’re running on coffee, and suddenly everyone is asking…“Are you ready to start solids yet?”

It can feel like a lot.

Starting solids is a huge milestone and a lot of parents I talk to say the same thing: I have no idea where to start.

There’s so much advice online. So many rules.

And it’s hard to know what actually matters.

One of the simplest ways to prepare your baby is this:

Start with teethers first.

They’re more than just for teething-they help babies practice the skills they’ll need for eating.

Teethers help your baby:

✔ build hand-to-mouth coordination

✔ strengthen the jaw & tongue for chewing

✔ learn the limits of their mouth (which can mean less gagging later)

✔ practice moving textures around

✔ explore new shapes & sensations

You can start offering teethers around 3–4 months, when babies begin bringing objects to their mouths.

Try different shapes, textures, and temperatures (cold ones are great too!).

Because mouthing is actually the first step toward confident self-feeding. 💛

If starting solids still feels overwhelming, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Inside the BLW Meals App, we walk you through exactly how to start solids-from allergen introduction to recipes and meal plans-step by step.

🎉 You can even start with a FREE 2-week premium trial inside the app. Comment BLW APP and I’ll send you the link
The first 7 days of solids from a pediatric dietit The first 7 days of solids from a pediatric dietitian💚

Baby-led weaning can be done a variety of ways and spoiler alert: you can offer finger foods, purées or both!
We did both!
That six month mark is a doozy with sleep, milestones and eating so I just didn’t want to have to think about how to introduce allergens and how to start.

If you’re in the same boat, follow along for more starting solids tips (or share with a friend who is starting soon). Check our bio for the expert-made app and exact plan I used! #startingsolids #babyfood #blw #babyledweaning #feedingbaby
Here are the other things he ate this day ⬇️ Keep Here are the other things he ate this day ⬇️

Keep in mind that babies’ appetites vary a lot, some days they may eat 3 meals like this, and others they may mostly play with the food or not show any interest at all. So don’t stress if your little one isn’t eating like this, keep in mind that the main source of nourishment until 12 months is breastmilk or formula 😉

Breakfast

Apple pancake + Kiwi + Plain yogurt

*Since yogurt is hard for them to self-feed at this age, I helped by loading it onto a spoon for him.

Lunch

Chickpea Fingers + steamed broccoli + tomato wedge + soft pear

Snack

Sunflower Seed & Coconut Cookies (no added sugar) + strawberries

All of these recipes (and meal ideas) come from BLW Meals App, you’ll find everything you need to know to confidently feed your baby. Comment BLW APP and I’ll send you the link to download it for free
📍Comment BLW APP for our app with 650+ more easy a 📍Comment BLW APP for our app with 650+ more easy and nutritious recipes like this one!

I sometimes struggle with how to offer high fiber foods to my kiddos, they often aren’t excited to swap rice for quinoa, for example. But for some reason, bites like this are just more fun to eat!

I like serving this with a dipping sauce, whatever I have around and they are enjoying at the moment. 

SPINACH QUINOA BITES

Ingredients:

- 3 cups (555 g) cooked quinoa - 1 cup (185 g) of uncooked quinoa yields about 3 cups cooked quinoa
- 5 eggs
- 1 cup (30 g) spinach (or ~90 g broccoli), chopped
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded cheese*
- 2 cloves (~6 g) garlic, minced (more if you’d like)
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt (only for 12 months +)
- Pepper - to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh green onion, finely chopped (optional)

Directions:

1. Rinse quinoa 2-3 times.
2. Place 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, turn heat down, put on a lid and let cook for 15-20 minutes.
3. Heat oven to 350°F (180ºC).
4. Spray/grease muffin tins with olive oil or avocado oil. If you have silicone muffin cups, this recipe bakes nicely in those. Cook quinoa according to package directions.
5. In a medium bowl, mix the warm quinoa with the cheese to melt the cheese. Add the eggs , garlic, salt and spinach. Stir well to combine.
6. Spoon the mixture into the muffin tins (use a 1/2 cup measuring cup or large cookie scoop so each muffin is the same size).
7. Bake for 20 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges to loosen and pop out your quinoa egg muffins!

*Use Ricotta or Mozzarella for 6 months + and Cheddar for 12 months + (due to sodium content)
Hey guys, Vanessa here! One of the top things peo Hey guys, Vanessa here! 
One of the top things people ask us is how to get their baby to chew better. 

It’s funny because as adults we don’t really think much about the process of chewing. It’s actually one of the beginning parts of digestion and is one part triggered reflex one part learned motion. 

This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to eat with your baby. It allows them to watch and learn from your own mouth motions. 

You can read more about the importance of modelling, check out the guides by age section of BLW Meals app (link in bio to download📲)

Get ready to model chewing with your baby by: 

1. Getting their attention. Draw attention to your mouth by making funny faces or noises. Your baby may even begin mimicking you when she sees you being silly. This will encourage them to pay attention to your mouth when you’re eating.

2. Offering a food to share. While your baby is paying attention, give them some of the food you’re going to be sharing. It’s good to pick something that she can easily manipulate with her hands and mouth so that it triggers the chewing reflex. Here you can see me and Scarlett sharing a cracker. 

3. Exaggerating your chewing. When your baby sees you moving your mouth around in exaggerated motion, she will likely want to do the same with hers. When she begins to associate the movement with eating and chewing, she will likely start to improve her chewing skills. 

Remember that eating together should always be fun and light-hearted. We aren’t talking chewing bootcamp here LOL! We’re just giving you some insight into how to incorporate some fun learning and practice into mealtime.
🗒️Comment “PRINT” to get our PDF showing you how t 🗒️Comment “PRINT” to get our PDF showing you how to prepare finger foods for baby.

Post it on your fridge for all caregivers, stick it in your purse, or share with a friend 🤗

💚For a more extensive list, we show you how to offer over 100+ foods for free in our app.
Here are the other things he ate this day ⬇️ Keep Here are the other things he ate this day ⬇️

Keep in mind that babies’ appetites vary a lot, some days they may eat 3 meals like this, and others they may mostly play with the food or not show any interest at all. So don’t stress if your little one isn’t eating like this, keep in mind that the main source of nourishment until 12 months is breastmilk or formula 😉

Breakfast

Apple pancake + Kiwi + Plain yogurt

*Since yogurt is hard for them to self-feed at this age, I helped by loading it onto a spoon for him.

Lunch

Chickpea Fingers + steamed broccoli + tomato wedge + soft pear

Snack

Sunflower Seed & Coconut Cookies (no added sugar) + strawberries

All of these recipes (and meal ideas) come from BLW Meals App, you’ll find everything you need to know to confidently feed your baby. Comment BLW APP and I’ll send you the link to download it for free!
📱Comment BLW APP to download our app with over 650 📱Comment BLW APP to download our app with over 650 baby-friendly recipes, make sure to check our selection of green recipes that are super nutritious and yummy too!

🥤I love smoothies because they are such an easy way to offer multiple nutrients at one time! And this smoothie is definitely a favorite in our homes, its just so creamy and delicious, you have to try it out!

🥑The avocado and pistachios offer healthy fats, dietary fiber and vitamins. 

🍌The banana has the energy growing bodies need, plus vitamins and fiber.

🥛The yogurt and milk offer protein and vitamins.

🥬The kale gives it a little extra green color and added fibers

And all together it’s perfection 🤩

CREAMY PISTACHIO SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

- 3/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1 large ripe banana (fresh or frozen), ~1 cup chopped
- 1 small avocado, ~1 cup chopped
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 1-2 kale leaves (or ~5 spinach leaves)
- Optional: 1-2 dates for added sweetness

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend well until
smooth. This smoothie is quite thick, so if you prefer it thinner you
can add milk or alternative to reach the desired consistency.

*****Greek yogurt can also be used, but you may have to add more milk to thin it out.

➡️Bonus Tip: Make a little extra and freeze it in popsicle molds for a creamy frozen treat!
When your baby hits 9 months you may be getting th When your baby hits 9 months you may be getting that feeling of…are meals going to take over my life?

Believe me, we have all been there and felt that meal fatigue. At this point, though, you may feel more confident in feeding your baby which is a major plus!

Some things to note that may be different around the 9 month mark:

➡️You may see your baby showing signs of their pincer grasp! They may transition between the two grasps depending on the food.

➡️If you have started purees you may want to consider adding in more textured foods, mashed foods and think about a plan to navigate to finger foods. It’s a transition, so give yourself and your little one some time 💚

In BLW Meals App we have all of the info above categorized by your little one’s developmental age, plus a free foods library so you can look up exactly how to serve and offer food safely.
Here are the other things he ate this day ⬇️ Keep Here are the other things he ate this day ⬇️

Keep in mind that babies’ appetites vary a lot, some days they may eat 3 meals like this, and others they may mostly play with the food or not show any interest at all. So don’t stress if your little one isn’t eating like this, keep in mind that the main source of nourishment until 12 months is breastmilk or formula 😉

Breakfast

Apple pancake + Kiwi + Plain yogurt

*Since yogurt is hard for them to self-feed at this age, I helped by loading it onto a spoon for him.

Lunch

Chickpea Fingers + steamed broccoli + tomato wedge + soft pear

Snack

Sunflower Seed & Coconut Cookies (no added sugar) + strawberries

All of these recipes (and meal ideas) come from BLW Meals App, you’ll find everything you need to know to confidently feed your baby. Comment BLW APP and I’ll send you the link to download it for free
Can you tell I have a bit of a cold in my voiceove Can you tell I have a bit of a cold in my voiceover? haha

We’ve been hit with just about every sickness around here lately so I’m trying to make meals and small bites count around here. 

He’s not as much of a fruit guy, and he’s still learning to like yogurt! The yogurt spoon ended up immediately on the floor after two licks. Either way, I’ll take it! 

This is why I like to boost the nutrition of the foods he WILL eat with things like nut butters or hemp hearts especially when we are all fighting off colds. 

If you want the pancake recipe, and over 650 other dietitian-approved recipes get more info in our bio and save this for your next meal inspiration! #startingsolids #blw #babyledweaning
🤔Do all foods need to be discarded if they have mo 🤔Do all foods need to be discarded if they have mold?

🦠I have often wondered if a food is still okay to eat when the moldy part has been cut off and the rest looks just fine. And I’ll admit that I have done this a few times before 😬

👉However, according to the USDA and food scientists, molds have very thin root threads that stay below the spores that we often see on the surface of foods. Consuming moldy food can cause allergic reactions, as well as respiratory problems, and some molds can produce mycotoxins that can cause food poisoning.

🧀There are a few types of food that can be used if the visible mold is cut off at least 1 inch around and below the visible mold spot. Make sure to keep the knife out of the mold itself so it will not cross-contaminate other parts of the food. This can be the case for harder foods with low moisture content, such as:

- hard cheeses (like cheddar or parmesan)
- firm fruits & veggies (like cabbage, bell pepper, carrots…)

➡️For the following types of food it’s safest to discard completely:

- soft fruits and veggies (strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, peaches…)
- soft cheese (cream cheese, cottage cheese…)
- bread and baked goods
- nut butters, legumes and nuts
- jams and jellies
- yogurt and sour cream
- cooked dishes (leftovers)
- lunch meats, bacon or hot dogs

🏠When cooking for a family food safety is always a big concern, no one wants to see their little one sick. However we also don’t want to be wasting food, I personally hate throwing out food too! 

📲We have put together a guide in our BLW Meals App on Food Safety and Storage to help you store foods in a way that minimizes food waste and can help you be confident in serving the best to your family. 

Comment BLW LINK to download the app now.

Sourced from: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/molds-food-are-they-dangerous
How is your toddler doing with utensils? ⬇️ 💡Did How is your toddler doing with utensils? ⬇️

💡Did you know that many kids do not “properly” use a utensil until around 2-3 years of age? Even if your little one is struggling, don’t worry about it! They will get the hang of it eventually! 

Work on dexterity and fine motor skills while making spoons, forks and knives fun. Try introducing utensils in a playful environment with Play Doh. This can give your child a pressure-free platform to interact with them. 🌟Sometimes, when the pressure of finishing a meal or being tidy is removed, your child will be able to focus more on the skills needed to manipulate utensils correctly.

When you do add some food, try using spaghetti noodles to make fork twirling fun! 

☝🏼If your child still appears to struggle with utensils, experiment with different ones! Sometimes children will do better with metal over plastic or vice versa. They may also need shorter handles or may be more interested in using a fork with a bull dozer or their favorite character on it. 

You can also have them use a butter knife and practice cutting soft fruits like bananas.

Overall, modeling how to use utensils, and making the experience fun will go a long way!

Need more tips? Check out our extensive list of feeding guides in BLW Meals app (download it for free with link in bio). 

Where is your child at with navigating utensils?📩
Follow along for more guidance and tips on feeding Follow along for more guidance and tips on feeding your baby and kids!

And if you’re stressed about how to offer foods safely and when to offer allergens download our app with the link in bio for expert-made guides from our pediatric feeding team

#startingsolids #blwmeals #blwmealsapp #babyfood #babyledweaning
Do you find the mess hard to deal with?? You’re n Do you find the mess hard to deal with??

You’re not alone!

We do what we can and try to save extra messy foods for times when we have the capacity to deal with it. 

Just know it’s developmentally appropriate and even helpful for them to get this messy!

Research shows babies learn through messy play.

The sensory feedback and experiences help many little ones tolerate a wide variety of textures and foods. Babies and kids typically need to be able to touch and explore a food on their own before wanting to try it.

⭐️For those times where we can’t handle the mess, we have filters in the recipe section of BLW Meals app titled “Not so messy” to help save your sanity! Download it for free with the link in bio 📲

PMID: [29302261](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29302261)

PMID: [23060661](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23060661)

I.L. Bernstein, in [The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference](https://www.sciencedirect.com/referencework/9780123708809/the-senses-a-comprehensive-reference), 2008.
Scarlett is my third baby, so I feel like I’ve don Scarlett is my third baby, so I feel like I’ve done a better job with offering solids this time around. Often, it’s not the food itself that creates tension, but the way the meal is unfolding. 

Here’s a list of my top 5 reasons why mealtime may be feeling too intense for you lately: 

1. Offering too many foods at once

Large plates filled with options may look appealing to adults, but for babies who are still learning how to eat, it can be visually and mentally overwhelming. We recommend starting with 1 tablespoon of 2 foods at a time and adding more options as they begin to become more comfortable with eating. 

2. Hovering too closely

Staring, watching every movement, or anxiously anticipating the next bite can increase stress for both parent and baby. Babies are highly perceptive and often mirror the emotional tone at the table.

3. Constantly prompting bites

Gentle encouragement is natural, but repeated phrases like “just try it” or “one more bite” can shift the experience from curiosity to pressure. Babies learn best when they feel a sense of control over their eating.

4. Rushing the meal

Babies need time. When meals move too quickly from bite to bite, eating becomes something to keep up with rather than something to explore. Try to schedule offering solids around times when you are able to give them at least 20 minutes to explore their meal.

5. Pushing the spoon in their face

A spoon in the face can be physically and emotionally overwhelming, especially for babies who are still developing oral control. Try holding the spoon out at eye level and allowing them to lean in to take a bite.

If this is you follow along and send us a DM, we’ll see how we can help. You can also read more about how to take the stress out of mealtime in BLW Meals app with the link in our bio.
🤔Do all foods need to be discarded if they have mo 🤔Do all foods need to be discarded if they have mold?

🦠I have often wondered if a food is still okay to eat when the moldy part has been cut off and the rest looks just fine. And I’ll admit that I have done this a few times before 😬

👉However, according to the USDA and food scientists, molds have very thin root threads that stay below the spores that we often see on the surface of foods. Consuming moldy food can cause **allergic reactions, as well as respiratory problems, and some molds can produce mycotoxins that can cause food poisoning.** 

🧀There are a few types of food that can be used if the visible mold is cut off at least 1 inch around and below the visible mold spot. Make sure to keep the knife out of the mold itself so it will not cross-contaminate other parts of the food. This can be the case for harder foods with low moisture content, such as:

- hard cheeses (like cheddar or parmesan)
- firm fruits & veggies (like cabbage, bell pepper, carrots…)

➡️For the following types of food it’s safest to discard completely:

- soft fruits and veggies (strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, peaches…)
- soft cheese (cream cheese, cottage cheese…)
- bread and baked goods
- nut butters, legumes and nuts
- jams and jellies
- yogurt and sour cream
- cooked dishes (leftovers)
- lunch meats, bacon or hot dogs

🏠When cooking for a family food safety is always a big concern, no one wants to see their little one sick. However we also don’t want to be wasting food, I personally hate throwing out food too! 

📲We have put together a guide in our BLW Meals App on Food Safety and Storage to help you store foods in a way that minimizes food waste and can help you be confident in serving the best to your family. 

Comment BLW LINK to download the app now.

Sourced from: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/molds-food-are-they-dangerous
📍Save for an easy meatless meal! 📱BLW Meals App h 📍Save for an easy meatless meal!

📱BLW Meals App has lots of easy, nutritious family meals with directions on how to offer them at each age, like this one! Comment BLW APP and we’ll send you the link to download it and take a look!

🍅RED LENTILS & TOMATOES

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup (113g) Red lentils (canned low sodium, or pre-soaked dried lentils)
- 1 can (280 ml) diced tomatoes (low sodium)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 cup (350 ml) water
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (or other oil)
- Salt and pepper to taste (for 12 months + only)

Directions:

1. If using canned lentils, rinse 3 times before using. If using dried
lentils, soak for 6-12 hours in water with a couple drops of lemon juice or vinegar (changing the water 2-3 times), this helps reduce
gas/bloating.
2. Place rinsed red lentils and 1 & 1/2 cups of water in a pot and set aside.
3. In a medium sauce-pan, add tomatoes, seasoning and oil, bring to a boil. Then lower temperature and let simmer for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add red lentils with the water and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover the
pot and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, checking and stirring as needed.
You may add more water if it starts to dry out.
5. Turn off the
burner and let rest for 2-5 minutes. Continue to cook if liquid is still present. Lentils should be easily “mashable”. Canned lentils will cook
faster than dried ones.

✨Tip: To reduce gas/bloating try adding a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar to
 the water when you cook the lentils with the tomatoes.
And this is my more “curious eater” when he was 6 And this is my more “curious eater” when he was 6 months old.

When I started baby-led weaning with King Luca I think I wasn’t prepared for a few things…
It was a lot more waiting and it’s SLOW in the beginning. I mean they are cute at this stage, but dare I say it’s a little boring too?
It’s also really messy and inconsistent.

But every time they touch and explore the food it builds their confidence towards eating and navigating different textures.

If you feel like you are lost and not sure where to start or if you’re on the right track, we’ve been there! We’re a group of healthcare professionals and moms that made an app that shows how to safely offer over 120+ foods for free. Plus if you feel you need extra guidance check out our step-by-step meal plans, recipes and guides in our bio. #babyledweaning #blw #babyfood
I just wanted solids to be EASY. We followed a ste I just wanted solids to be EASY.
We followed a step-by-step plan for the allergens so I didn’t have to think about how to space them out. 
Follow along for more easy meal ideas for your baby💚#blw #babyledweaning
Follow on Instagram

Topics

  • Quizzes
  • Starting Solids
  • How to Serve
  • BLW
  • Nutrition
  • Mealtime Behavior
  • Recipes
  • Lunchbox Tips
  • Food Tips
  • Privacy Policy | BLW Meals App
  • Socials

Search

Jump To

  • About Us
  • BLW Meals App
  • Privacy Policy
BLW SOCIAL PTE. LTD. D-U-N-S® 659289441. All rights reserved.

Press X to exit

BLW Meals AppBLW Meals App
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • Starting Solids
    • How to Serve
    • BLW
    • Nutrition
    • Mealtime Behavior
    • Food Tips
    • Lunchbox Tips
    • Recipes
    • Quizzes
  • About Us
  • Socials