Baby Led Weaning - what equipment to buy?

[Emelene]

Hello,
I'm starting baby led weaning with my baby in a few weeks when she turns 6 months.

Possibly a silly question but what equipment do I need? We have a high chair. But do I need any sippy cups, baby plates, spoons etc? If so do you have any recommendations? And how many?

Thanks.

Sippy cup definitely, imo. Tommie Tippy one is great for out and about, we used a doidy cup at home. With other things, depends on how dedicated you are to the BLW. Plastic spoons are useful if you will use them, but true BLW doesn't allow until baby can feed themselves and go straight to metal. Plastic plates etc are unnecessary to start with imo as you simply let baby take from your plate or use the highchair table.

Vast supplies of antibacterial wipes. Vast I tell you!

Don't bother with wipes get some microfibre clothes, also a floor mat either a messy play plastic sheet or a shower curtain (poundshop!) to save your floors. We didn't bother with plates did try a suction bowl effort but it was useless. Mine was also a bib hater so we brought some little legless and short sleeve bodysuits that we put him to eat and then popped into the washing afterwards meant we could wipe down his legs and hands easily. Good luck!

Get a stick blender, ice cube trays, bibs, plastic plates etc

Plates get at best dropped on the floor, at worst, launched across the room.
As will the food.
Don't bother with plates. They do more damage than boiled carrots and fusili.

The only equipment we bought was a crinkle cutter, but even that was pretty unnecessary.

It’s supposed to make it easier for them to hold things 🤷‍♀️

Oh, and bibs that cover as much of them as possible, are water proof and dry quickly!

A high chair and a bib are the only real necessities. Plus a floor mat of some sort (shower curtain, cheap plasticised tablecloth) for ease of cleanup. You can buy a stick down bowl or two or just start sticking bits of food straight on the high chair tray. I also have some small weaning spoons, which I load and put on the tray or hand to the baby. Plus, yes, cheap free flow sippy cup.

Oh, and a stick blender and ice cube trays are exactly what you don't need for BLW.

A microwave steamer is not essential but is really useful.

If you use a apron bib - one of those with sleeves, please put it on under the straps. If a baby chokes you need quick access to the straps to get them out.

As for accessories, if you have a high chair with a tray I wouldn't worry about plates and bowls for a while. And don't buy into bowls with suction cups, every baby and toddler I know can get them up. If it's gonna get thrown, it's gonna get thrown. We have a high chair which goes to the table so we did get cheap plastic and bamboo plates/bowls. We use oil cloth table cloths under the highchair to avoid staining and for easier clean ups. I would also suggest you invest in a dog. Best organic hoover known to man. Maybe a spaniel or lab?

Sippy cups are good. We have a few so one is for the changing bag, one left on the table for anytime and one for meal times. Just keep an eye on the spouts as they can collect crap and get mouldy if not cleaned properly.

Also don't wear white or anything nice and have a bath ready for after dinner times

Thanks for the tips so far! Very helpful. Sounds messy and fun!

You will take so many pictures and videos of your dd eating and covered in food I love looking back at mine and seeing ds discovering new tastes. Navel oranges are great for them to suck on. A firm favourite here!

Lots of flannels
Something to cover your floor

It's brilliant, I'm so pleased we did BLW