What is baby-led weaning?
Baby-led weaning is a way of introducing solid foods that allows babies to feed
themselves - there’s no spoon feeding and no purées. The baby sits with the
family at mealtimes and joins in when she is ready, feeding herself first with her
fingers and later with cutlery.
什么是“宝宝主动进食”？
“宝宝主动进食”就是让宝宝自己学会吃固体的食物，而不再用勺子去喂他们、让他们吃汤羹果泥。在家人一起吃饭的时候，宝宝应和家人坐在一起吃饭，这样当宝宝准备好时，就可以随时加入家人一起进餐：起初可能她只会用手指抓食，随后她便能慢慢学会使用餐具。
Baby-led weaning:
“宝宝主动进食法”的优点：
* allows babies to explore taste, texture, color and smell
* encourages independence and confidence
* helps to develop their hand-eye coordination and chewing skills
* makes picky eating and mealtime battles less likely
All healthy babies can begin to feed themselves from about six months. They just need to be given the opportunity.
•让宝宝去探索食物的味道、质地、颜色和气味。
•增加宝宝的独立性，增加孩子的自信心。
•有助提高孩子的“手眼协调“能力和咀嚼能力。
•减少“挑食”发生的可能性；同时减少需要引逗孩子，他们才勉强愿意吃东西的情况。
所有健康的宝宝从六个月起就有主动进食固体食物的能力，家长要给予他们足够的信任与机会。
Why baby-led weaning makes sense
“宝宝主动进食法”的科学原理：
Baby-led weaning is based on the way babies develop in their first year.
Babies’ immune and digestive systems aren’t ready for other foods until they are about six months old - breastmilk or formula is all healthy babies need until then. At six months, a baby is able to sit upright, pick up pieces of food, take them to her mouth and chew them - in other words, she can feed herself. In the past, when babies were started on solid foods at three or four months, they had to be given purées because they were too young to feed themselves. If you’ve waited until your baby is six months to introduce solid foods you’ve skipped the purée stage, so there’s no need to start that way.
“宝宝主动进食”之所以行得通，是基于孩子出生后第一年身体发育的状况。
宝宝6个月之前，他们的免疫系统、消化系统都还没有为吃除了母乳及配方奶粉外的食物做好准备。但当宝宝6个月时，他们便能够坐直起来，用手拿起小块的食物，送入嘴里咀嚼。也就是说，从这时起，他们便有了主动进食的能力。从前，孩子在3到4个月便开始吃蔬菜泥、果泥，此时，他们还没有能力吃固体的食物。但是，当孩子长到6个月左右，她便已经具备了直接吃固体食物的能力，也就是说他不需要从吃蔬菜泥、果泥开始，而可以直接进入吃固体食物的阶段。
How do we get started?
* Sit your baby in a highchair. Make sure she is steady and can use her hands and arms freely.
* Offer your baby food, rather than give it to her - put it in front of her, or let her take it from your hand, so that the decision is hers.
* Start with foods that are easy to pick up - thick sticks or long strips are best at first. Offer only a few pieces at food at one time, do not give her a whole plate of food, it will overwhelm her.
* Remember babies don’t need teeth to chew, she can eat many foods using just her gums
* Try to eat your meal at the same time as your baby so she can copy you and feel she is joining the family meal.
* Carry on giving formula feeds - this is still your baby’s main source of nutrition until she is a year old.
* Offer your baby water with her meals so she can drink if she needs to.
* Don’t hurry your baby or distract her while she is handling food - allow her to concentrate and take her time.
* Expect some mess! Don’t get stressed about dropped food or a dirty face or hands. Remember she’s learning. Babies love dropping things on the floor!
* Keep it enjoyable – for all of you. Make sure that meal times are always relaxed and enjoyable and you will encourage your baby to explore and experiment at her own speed. If you do this, she will have a positive attitude about trying new foods and she will always look forward to meal times.
* Remember it will probably take your baby around two months of playing and learning before she really starts grasping her food and swallowing it smoothly. That is normal.
“宝宝主动进食”从何入手？
•让宝宝坐在婴儿椅上，确保他坐得稳，手和胳膊十分自由。
•为你的孩子准备食物：不是把食物塞给他们，而是把食物放在他们面前，或者放在自己手里，
让他们主动去拿。
•在选择食物时，先从“容易手握”的食物开始。比如先提供棒状、条状的食物。同时，每次只需给孩子少数几样食物，否则他们突然见到一大盘各种各样的食物，容易迷惑。
•记住，宝宝不是用牙齿咀嚼的，她们用牙龈已经能磨碎很多东西了。
•家庭一起吃饭时，尽量让宝宝也参与，和家人一起吃饭。这样他便能学习大人进餐的方法，同时也有助培养他们的家庭观。
•奶粉还是要喝的。尽管宝宝开始进食固体，在一岁之前，奶粉还是他们主要的营养来源。
•在为宝宝提供食物的同时，也在旁边放一小杯水，这样他需要时便可以随时喝水。
•在宝宝主动进食的过程中，不要催促或者让他们分心。给他时间慢慢来，同时让他集中精力。
•会很乱！做好心理准备。如果宝宝把食物掉在地上、把手和脸弄脏……请你也不要着急。她在慢慢地学习，况且宝宝喜欢把食物扔到地上！
•请您和孩子一同享受“宝宝主动进食”的过程。进餐时，请让家里的气氛尽量轻松愉快。同时当宝宝进餐时，家长需要不断鼓励他们按照自己的速度、慢慢对食物进行探索和把玩。如果你这样做，孩子们便会对尝试新的食物持有积极的态度，同时她也会更加期待吃东西。
•记住，在宝宝开始能真正抓起食物、流畅地吞咽之前，他大概会对食物学习、把玩两个月左右。这很正常，别着急。
Things NOT to do
* Don’t put food into your baby’s mouth for her or try to persuade her to eat more than she wants.
* Don’t give your baby food when she is hungry for a milk feed. Always give your baby her milk feed first, then her food meal about half an hour to one hour later. She should not be very hungry when she starts her food meal, otherwise she will more likely get frustrated.
* Don’t expect your baby to eat much food at first. She doesn’t suddenly need extra food just because she has reached six months. As she discovers that food tastes nice she will begin to chew, and later to swallow. Many babies eat very little for the first few months. Mealtimes at this age are for play and learning - she will still be getting all her nourishment from her milk feeds.
* Especially for the first two weeks, your baby will not swallow much food, this is totally normal. She may put food in her mouth and then it will drop out of her mouth because she has not yet learned how to move food from the front of her mouth to the back of her mouth. Let her take her time.
* Resist the urge to stare at your baby for her entire meal or give her pressure to eat more quickly.
* Resist the urge to constantly wipe her face and hands during her meal. Let her play and be messy. Clean her up after the meal is finished, which may be 40 minutes after she starts!
* Do not worry about giving your baby meals at the same time each day, or even every day. Some days your baby may not be interested in food at all. She will start eating meals regularly, every day after a few months.
* Do NOT say “duo chi yidian” EVER!!! Trust your baby knows how much she wants to eat (even if it’s very little or nothing). Trust her to know her own appetite. Do not give her pressure
about how much to eat, or how quickly to eat.
请不要做以下的事情！
•不要把食物送进宝宝的嘴里，不要试图在她不想吃时劝她多吃点。
•在宝宝该喝奶时，不要再给他们吃固体的食物。永远先让孩子吃饱奶，吃完奶半个小时到一个小时后，再开始让她吃固体食物。在宝宝开始吃固体食物时，他们不应感到饿，否则他们会非常难受焦灼。
•不要期望宝宝一开始就能吃很多东西。在他六个月大时，他们并不是一夜之间就需要增加食物摄取。只有当他们发现食物的味道很好时，便开始咀嚼，而后自然而然地吞咽。很多宝宝在起初几个月都吃得很少。“吃饭”在他们这个年纪更多意味着“玩”和“学习”，宝宝主要的营养来源仍旧是奶粉。
•尤其在起初两个星期，宝宝不会咽下很多食物，这很正常。她会把食物放进嘴里，嚼几下，然后吐出来。因为此时她还没有完全学会如何用舌头把食物从嘴挪到食道。你要给她时间，让她慢慢来。
•请克制自己，不要在宝宝进食的过程中一直盯着她，或者给她压力催她吃得再快一点！
•请不要每当她弄脏手、脸时就立刻去擦。让她自己慢慢玩，乱一点也没关系。在她吃完了以后再去清理，每次她大约要吃40分钟。
•不用每天在某个固定的时段让宝宝进食。有时孩子可能并不想吃东西，不用每天都让她吃。培养几个月之后，她便自然可以每天规律性地进食了。
•千万不要跟她说“多吃一点”！请信任你的宝宝，她了解自己想吃多少，即使只想吃一点，或者一点都不想吃，也没关系。不要给她压力，不要管她吃多少，更不要催促她。
What are the main points of BLW?
The biggest component of BLW is in its name, baby led. This means the parent does not feed the child, the child feeds themselves from the start. Parents offer table foods in manageable pieces and the child gets to explore and eventually eat. You will often hear the word “offer” in discussing BLW instead of “feed”.
“宝宝主动进食”的关键是什么？
“宝宝主动进食”的关键在于“主动”。也就是说，父母不要去喂孩子，反而是让孩子开始自己喂自己吃东西。父母只要准备大小适当的食物，孩子便可以开始尝试，最终学会主动进食。所以在“宝宝主动进食”法中，我们从不说“喂”，而是为孩子“准备”食物。
What’s wrong with spoon feeding?
The problem many have when they go the puree route is that when a baby eats pureed food they swallow, not chew. Then when they are given food with more texture they can’t handle it because they want to just swallow it. Another reason is that the baby is not in control. They can’t decide how much to eat or how fast to eat it. This inhibits their ability to sense when to stop because they are full.
“用勺子喂孩子”有什么不好？
当孩子们吃果泥、蔬菜泥时，他们只会“吞咽”，而不“咀嚼”。所以当孩子们开始吃更成形的食物时，他们便开始不知所措，因为他们只会“吞咽”而不会“咀嚼”。
同时，在孩子“被喂”时，他们并没有主动权。他们无法控制自己吃多少、吃多快。这让阻碍了他们形成“饱感”的发育。
Is my baby getting all the nutrition they need?
From birth to 6 months, all a baby needs is breast milk or formula. After 6 months, very gradually your baby will start needing more from food. Between 6 and 9 months their milk intake should remain mostly the same. After that, baby may choose to decrease milk feeds, but the main source of nutrition should still be breast milk or formula for the first year. Remember to let the baby have as many milk feeds as they need.
我的宝宝营养全面吗？
在孩子六个月大之前，他们所需的营养都能从母乳或者奶粉中获得。6个月之后，宝宝开始逐渐增加从食物中获得营养的需求。在6-9个月之间，他们对奶的需求保持不变。9个月之后，便可以逐渐减少吃奶，但他们主要的营养仍需从奶中获得，直到一岁左右。记住，让宝宝吃足够的奶，因为奶还是宝宝主要的营养来源。
What should I expect in the first few months of BLW and how should I begin?
When you begin BLW, it is all about exploration. Remember, the baby has never seen, tasted, or smelled foods before so it may take them some time. In letting them explore, you are teaching them that they are free to take their time to understand and practice and you will not rush them or try to do it for them. They are learning that mealtime is an enjoyable time, not a stressful time.
Since babies of 6 months use their whole hand to pick up food, offer it in about 2 inch sticks. Soft fruits or vegetables can be offered raw; most vegetables will need to be cooked. Make them soft enough for them to bite, but not so soft that they will fall apart. If your baby rejects a certain food, it doesn’t mean they will never like it. Offer it again another time.
“宝宝主动进食”最初几个月会有怎样的成效？该如何开始？
在“宝宝主动进食”的开始阶段，你要做好不懈探索、调整的准备。记住，宝宝从前从没有见过、尝过或闻过食物，所以他们会需要一些时间来适应。在他们探索与熟悉食物的过程中，你也要让你的宝宝知道，他们尽可以花多一点时间去尝试、熟悉和练习，而你并不会去催促他们，或者为他们代劳。他们在这样的过程中也将明白，吃东西是个十分享受的过程，而不应是充满压力的。
因为6个月大的宝宝便能够用他们的整只手来抓食物，因此准备的食物棒应在5厘米长左右（1inch=25.4mm）. 质地较软的水果或蔬菜可以生着给宝宝吃，但多数蔬菜需要煮熟后再给宝宝。食物需要足够软，这样宝宝才能咬动；但也不能太软，不然容易断掉。如果你的宝宝拒绝吃某种事物，这并不意味着他们永远不会再对这种食物提起兴趣，反而今后你可以再把这种食物给他试试看。
Won’t my baby choke? The difference between choking and gagging
Ah, the most popular question! Many people get unnecessarily scared away from offering solids to their baby because they don’t understand the difference between choking and gagging. Most likely there will be some gagging. It is a normal and natural part of learning to eat. When a baby is gagging they make coughing noises and may lean forward and spit the food out. It is the baby’s way of protecting their airway from pieces of foods that are too large. If your baby is gagging, try not to intervene. Let them cough up the food by themselves. It is a learning experience. Most times they are not bothered by it at all and will happily continue eating!
Choking is when the baby’s airway is blocked. Your baby will not be able to make any sounds or coughs, her face may turn red or blue. Choking is rare. If you put your baby in a leaning back position or put food in their mouth for them, the choking risk is increased. The best thing to do is never leave your baby unattended and take an infant CPR class so you feel prepared.
Whether your baby is choking or gagging, it is important to remember not to put your fingers in your child’s mouth. It can push the food farther down and cause the blockage to be even more severe.
我的宝宝会不会被呛到？“呛着”和“噎着”的分别。
这是最常见的问题！很多人害怕为宝宝提供固体食物，因为他们不清楚“呛着”和“噎着”的分别。 “噎着”是非常常见且经常发生的，并且它是学习吃东西的过程中十分正常且自然的一部分。当宝宝被噎着时，他们会咳嗽、身体前倾，然后把食物吐出来。这是宝宝免于气管被大块食物阻塞所产生的反应。如果你的宝宝噎着了，请不要前去干扰，让他们自己把食物咳出来。这是他们学习进食的过程。多数时候宝宝并不会在意被噎着，而后又能再次开始愉快地进食。
“呛着”是指宝宝的气管被堵住了。这时他们不能再发出任何声音、咳嗽。他们的脸会变红，甚至发紫。“呛着”十分少见。但如果你让宝宝背向后倾靠着坐，或者把食物塞进他们嘴里，“呛着”的危险便增加了。最好的方法是，永远不让让你的宝宝在没有大人看管的情况下吃东西，并且请参加婴儿心脏复苏术培训，以防万一。
What size should I offer the food?
When beginning, offer food in slices, sticks, or large pieces. Babies of this age use their whole hand to pick up food. They use the bottom to hold on to the food and munch on the top. Once your baby develops their pincer grasp, you can begin offering smaller pieces.
该提供给宝宝多大的食物？
起初，给宝宝片状、棒状或者大的块状的食物。宝宝在这个阶段，需要用整只手掌抓食物。他们会抓住食物的底部，然后嚼食顶端。当你的宝宝学会用手指拿东西以后，你便可以给他们小一点的食物了。
What do I do at mealtime?
Just relax! Eat your meal and model appropriate eating. Treat your baby like they are part of the family meal. Remember not to stress! Remember not to force your baby to finish a certain amount. They could eat a ton or none and either would be ok. Don’t try to “help” them by putting food into their mouth!
吃饭时间我该怎样做？
放松！按常规吃饭，同时用正确的进食方法为宝宝做榜样。把宝宝当作饭桌上的一员一样对待她。记住千万别紧张！记住千万不要强迫宝宝必须吃掉多少多少的食物！他们想吃多少就吃多少，都没关系。千万不要“帮”他们把食物送进嘴里！
When should I offer meals?
Start with a meal every few days. Skipping a day here and there is fine. As you feel your baby is ready you can begin to slowly offer meals more often. Remember make sure that your baby is still getting sufficient milk feeds.
我该什么时候给宝宝吃东西？
一开始，每隔几天让宝宝吃一次东西。即使不天天吃也没关系。当你感觉宝宝已经渐渐习惯了吃东西，你便可以开始更加频繁地给他食物。记住，同时一定要确保让宝宝吃足够的奶。
What are good starter foods?
Many people start with avocado slices, banana, or cooked sweet potato sticks. For slippery foods, you can leave some of the peel on the bottom for them to hold onto.
起初给宝宝吃什么食物比较好？
很多人一开始给宝宝吃牛油果片、香蕉，或者熟的红薯棒。对于那些表面比较光滑的食物，你可以在底部留一些皮，以便宝宝用手抓取时不易脱落。
Why is there food in my baby’s diaper?
This is very, very common. Babies take a while to learn how to chew and eat food, and for their digestive systems to adjust. Many times you will find food in their poop- very similar looking to how it went in! Don't worry, it's completely normal.
为什么宝宝的尿布里会有食物？
首先，这非常非常正常！宝宝要花一段时间才能学会如何咀嚼，同时让他们自己的消化系统适应。有时你会在他们的尿布里发现完好无损的食物（宝宝边吃边把食物掉入衣服，再一路掉进尿布），别着急，这非常正常！
Good foods for baby
*steamed, boiled and roasted vegetables such as: sweet potato, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, carrot, pumpkin, basically any vegetable is fine
*raw soft vegetables such as cucumber
*all kinds of fruits
*toasted bread
*cheese
*pasta
推荐食物：
•蒸、煮、烤过的蔬菜：红薯，西兰花，花菜，青豆，胡罗卜，南瓜，基本所有蔬菜都可以！
•生的质地较软的蔬菜，比如黄瓜。
•各种水果
•烤面包
•奶酪
•面条
Foods to avoid
*Salt is bad for babies kidneys. Babies of less than a year should avoid salted foods
*Sugar and sweet foods have low nutritional value, can cause cavities and are best kept to a minimum
*Whole nuts are a choking hazard and should not be given to babies until they are around 3 years old
*Small round fruits like grapes and cherry tomatoes should always be cut in half to avoid baby choking
*Cow’s milk: babies under 1 year old cannot easily digest cow’s milk
*Juice should never be given unless diluted at least 50% so it is not too sweet
*Honey should never be given to babies under one year old due to a bacteria that can grow in honey
需要避免的食物
•盐对宝宝的肾脏有损害！一岁以下的宝宝应避免吃任何含盐的食物。
•糖和甜食营养价值很低，同时会造成蛀牙，所以请保持最低量给宝宝。
•整块的坚果是容易引发“呛着”的高危食物，在宝宝三岁之前都不要给他们吃。
•小的圆形的水果，比如葡萄和樱桃，给宝宝吃时应该切成一半大小，不然也容易导致宝宝被“呛着”。
•牛奶：1岁以下的宝宝还不能消化牛奶。
•果汁要至少稀释50%后再给宝宝喝，不然太甜了。
•不要给1岁以下的宝宝吃蜂蜜，因为蜂蜜里有对宝宝有害的细菌
