Why "baby led-feeding"

Feeding our babies has become so complex and is such a topic for debate. How we are told is the best way to feed our infants has changed so much over time and every parenting book will tell you something different.

As a Holistic Nutritionist, I want to apply my knowledge to how I feed my son. I want him to grow up with healthy ideas about food and also ensure his digestive system is developing properly.
The concept of baby-led-feeding is a new one, but it is also a very old one.

Today we are recommended to breastfeed our babies exclusively until they are six months old. Breast milk, if you are able to breastfeed your baby, is the very best thing. It is composed of the exact complement of nutrients that your baby needs at the exact time he/she needs them. It really is magic!

If you are not able to breastfeed your baby, there are options. I recommend that you make your own formula as I do not believe that any store-bought formula is nutritious for your baby. They are full of chemicals and additives. Soy protein is a particular concern as it is very harmful to the developing endocrine system. Most formulas either contain soy isolates or cows milk. Cows milk is perfect for baby cows, but it is not for human babies. A babies digestive system cannot properly break down the milk proteins and feeding this to an infant can lead to some significant issues both early on and as the infant grows into an adult. The foundation we lay in our childrens digestive system can set them up to have a well functioning immune system that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. If you are interested in making your own baby formula, the recipes found in the book "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon are a really fantastic option.

The first solid foods we are told to feed our children are not solid at all but are puree's. This recommendation comes from a previous belief that you should feed your baby solid food starting from 3 months of age. They also recommended that by age 6 months you can begin to offer finger foods and that the baby can begin to feed them self. Now doctors are telling us to breastfeed until 6 months and then give puree's until 9-10 months and then give finger foods.

In baby-led-feeding, you skip the puree's and go straight to the finger food. 
The reason for this is that a baby has a very strong gag reflex that is quite for forward in their mouth. This reflex begins to recede from 6 months and by a year it's in the same place in the mouth as an adult. If you begin finger foods too late, the baby has a better chance to choke because they are less likely to gag and spit out a piece of food that is too big. Babies who are 6 months old are able to grasp and bring objects to their mouth. They are able to chew, even if they don't yet have teeth. Their gums are very strong! Any nursing mother who has been bitten by those powerful gums will tell you this is true!

I began to be intrigued by this idea of feeding your baby a few months ago and read everything I could get my hands on. There isn't much. I bought and read the book "baby led weaning", read blogs from mothers who are pioneering this way of feeding and something within me resonated with the truth of this.
It feels right both intuitively and scientifically. From a Holistic Nutritionist and as a mother.
So... here we go!