Let Them Lead: My Journey With the Rapley Method

Today I want to talk about stepping aside and letting our little ones steer the spoon from the very first bite. Two and a half years ago I set a soft strip of steamed carrot in front of my first baby girl and watched her guide the whole experience. No purées, no spoon airplanes, just her hands and curiosity. I loved every squishy second.

Now my second little explorer has reached the six-month mark, and I’m starting all over again, calmer this round but every bit as inspired.

Before that first bite I lined up a few courage boosters:

• Mama Roos Kookt masterclass for practical, down-to-earth guidance.
• Online Red Cross first-aid course because peace of mind tastes better than worry when you’re handing a baby real food.

Why We Chose the Rapley Method

The Rapley approach, better known as baby-led weaning (BLW), keeps things simple: no purées and no spoons. Babies feed themselves soft finger foods from the start. It’s joyful, wonderfully messy, and research shows it

• strengthens fine-motor skills and confidence
• teaches babies to trust their own hunger and fullness cues
• keeps mealtimes social instead of stressful
• lets parents share a meal instead of staging one

BLW + Breastfeeding: How It Works at Our Table

I breastfeed on demand, then slide small pieces of the family’s meal onto the high-chair tray. Breast milk is still the main source of nutrition right now, so solids are pure exploration. They help tiny hands practice grip, smell new aromas, and taste new flavors. A good nap first and a feed about thirty minutes before we begin keeps everyone relaxed. With my first daughter I saw how naturally the shift toward solids happens when there’s no pressure.

Tips From One Mum to Another

• Keep the menu simple. Steamed veggies, ripe fruit, or anything soft and easy to hold.
• Expect the mess. It’s part of the learning. A splash mat and wipes are your friends.
• Stay close and calm. Gagging is normal, choking is rare. Know the signs and breathe.
• Eat together. Babies copy what they see on your plate.
• If you’re breastfeeding, carry on. Your baby will set the pace.

Baby-led weaning has become more than a feeding method for us. It slows us down, builds trust, and turns every meal into an exploration. Watching my daughters smash banana, examine broccoli “trees,” and delight in new textures has been one of motherhood’s sweetest rewards.

One last mother-to-mother tip: the Solid Starts app lets you look up almost any food and shows exactly how to prepare it safely for each age. It is my quick check whenever I’m unsure.

Ready to hand over a carrot of your own? Sit close, let her lead, and enjoy the journey.