Traditional Spoon-Feeding vs Baby-Led Weaning—and Why Your Floor Will Never Be Clean Again

Your baby hits 6 months and suddenly everyone’s asking,

“Dah start makan?”

Welcome to the messy battlefield that is starting solids. Whether you’re team “Here comes the airplane” or team “Eat it yourself, baby,” one thing’s for sure: your floors will never forgive you.

Let’s break it down—the two most popular ways to feed your baby, what to expect, and why both methods are basically a masterclass in patience (and stain removal).

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Traditional Spoon-Feeding: The OG Malaysian Style

This is the method many of us grew up with: you puree or mash food. You sit your baby down.You load the spoon and gently coax them with sound effects:

“Aaaaaaahhh... open! Yuuuum! Good girl!”

Pros:

• Easier to control portions and textures

• Great if your baby is slower to warm up to solids

• Helpful when baby has feeding delays or medical needs

  
  

Cons:

• Baby may get used to passive feeding (waiting for spoon vs exploring food)

• Less chewing practice early on

• Can lead to pickiness if not followed by texture progression

Best for: Parents who want a gentler intro or need more control over allergens, textures, or quantities.

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Baby-Led Weaning (BLW): Chaos with a Side of Confidence

The cool, rebellious younger cousin of traditional feeding.

With BLW, babies skip the mush and go straight to finger foods they can feed themselves—usually around 6 months, if they’re showing signs of readiness. Think: steamed broccoli trees, avocado slices, baby-sized omelets.

Pros:

• Encourages independence and motor skills

• Babies learn to listen to hunger and fullness cues

• Often more adventurous eaters later

Cons:

• MESS. Like, food-on-the-ceiling level mess

• Some worry about choking (though gagging is normal!)

• Not everyone’s grandma will approve

“If your walls aren't covered in banana, are you even weaning?”

— Every BLW parent ever

Best for: Confident, laid-back parents (or parents pretending to be confident), babies with strong head control and a good grip.

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Let’s Talk About Poop (Yes, Really)

Brace yourself for:

• Seed-filled poos

• Strange colors (is that... purple?)

• Constant wiping

It’s all part of the digestive adventure.

Pro tip: Keep a “poop log” if you’re worried. It’s a thing.

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Signs Baby Is Ready for Solids

• Sits up with support

• Shows interest in food (reaches for your teh tarik)

• Lost tongue-thrust reflex

• Can hold head steady

• Typically around 6 months

  
  

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So… Which One Is Better?

Neither. Both. Who cares.

Honestly, do what works for your family. Some parents start with spoon-feeding then transition to BLW. Others do purees in the morning and baby-led curry rice chunks in the evening.

Your baby will be fine—as long as:

• Your baby is ready (good head control, sits up, shows interest)

• Food is soft, age-appropriate, and safe

• They’re eating a variety of textures and nutrients

• You’re watching for allergy signs

• You’re not losing your mind over every bite, sit with them and make mealtime positive

  
  

The goal isn’t a clean floor. It’s a confident, curious eater.

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Final Word: Embrace the Mess

This is a wild, joyful, squishy, sauce-splattered time.

Take pictures. Laugh at the mess.

And keep baby wipes in every room.

Tip: Buy a splash/mess mat. Or better yet, a golden retriever.