I share my EXCLUSIVE 1 month baby led weaning meal plan for 6-12 month old babies as an easy step-by-step guide for starting solids and reducing food allergies.
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We are currently experiencing technical issues with the guide. If you have not received it after signing up, please email [email protected].
I am a big advocate of baby led weaning (BLW) and have talked a LOT about how to successfully introduce BLW foods and common food allergens to help reduce the risk of allergy in your kids.
In previous posts, we have discussed the recent EAT study which outlined the new guidelines for allergy introduction. It states that we no longer want to wait until 1 year or later to introduce common food allergens like peanuts and eggs. Instead, earlier introduction (around 6 months for most babies) has been shown to help reduce the risk of food allergies.
Table of contents
Starting Solids Before One
We know we don’t want to delay allergens when starting solids and BLW foods. Which means that starting solids before one is beneficial for a number of reasons, including:
- Babies needs for Iron are particularly high after 6 months (11 mg!), and breastmilk or formula alone do not meet these needs.
- Babies need to learn how to eat solids of different textures and learn how to chew. They actually have a unique window around 6-10 months when they are best able to learn to explore a variety of textures. Research suggests that babies fed exclusively liquid and purees by 9 or 10 months have a more difficult time with picky eating down the road.
- Setting the stage so that by 12 months, the majority of baby’s calories are coming from solids, rather than milk or formula. Without adequate practice, it’s unlikely they will be able to make this transition overnight.
- Reducing the risk of common food allergies.
Introducing Common Allergens
The landmark research that the new recommendations were built on specifically looked at peanuts and eggs. However, based on other studies and expert opinion, it’s recommended that we introduce all allergens earlier than later.
Personally, I start with egg and peanut. To me, these are the most “scary” and it is what the evidence is grounded in. If you had an allergy in the family that you were particularly worried about, you could also start there (with your pediatrician’s approval, of course).
Frequency of Allergen Introduction
Experts used to recommend being very cautious with introducing allergens by only providing one food and waiting 3 to 5 days to provide another. The reason for this recommendation was that it allowed us to catch an allergy and identify the culprit more easily if you only fed that one food for a period of time.
However, this recommendation is a bit outdated. The reality is that most allergic reactions will surface within minutes, but they can make an appearance up to 2 hours after ingestion. So if there IS a reaction, you’ll know pretty fast – not likely DAYS later.
Plus, following this method of allergen introduction would mean it would take you and your baby a LONG TIME to experience all of the common allergens and start eating full meals with a variety of other important, nutritious foods. Also, who has the time/ energy to be SO deliberate on baby led weaning meal planning- the beauty of BLW foods is that baby can eat what you’re eating!
Ultimately, how quickly you progress with your baby and food allergens is really up to your comfort level. With that said, I get that you may be anxious – and trust me, I was too! Which is why in my meal plan, I have done two days in a row of the same allergen before moving onto the next. This makes it easy for you to keep track!
Keep in mind that we still want to continue to provide these common allergens often, rather than just doing the three trials and forgetting about it. This will help baby maintain tolerance. The recommendation for peanut allergies, specifically, is three feedings per week. So I say just try to regularly incorporate the big allergens into your baby’s meals.
When to Trial Allergens
I recommend giving your allergenic trialing meals earlier on in the day – breakfast or lunch. This way, you have the rest of the day to monitor for any reactions. If you do introduce an allergen around supper time, i’d suggest leaving at least 2 hours before bedtime to monitor.
To keep this simple for you, the meal plan is for one meal a day, and works up toward a more substantial meal as the month progresses. It’s your call how quickly you start adding meals, or snacks once you start solids.
If you’re ready to do two meals right from the get go, you can repeat the items for meal two, split the meal in half, or offer some of the non-allergenic foods at meal two. Keep in mind that it is ideal that allergens are trialed earlier in the day.
How to Know if Baby is Having an Allergic Reaction
Allergy signs and symptoms can typically be mild like a rash, or set of hives, but more severe symptoms can include swelling of the lip, eyes, or face, vomiting, hives all over the body, breathing symptoms like wheezing, or coughing, changing skin colour or sudden limpness.
One Month Baby Led Weaning Meal Plan for 6-12 Month Old Baby
This is just a sample based on some of my son’s favourite BLW foods and some easy ways to incorporate allergens for new eaters, while also loading up on those iron-rich foods. You can swap in whatever your family is serving that night, and remember to have fun! Starting solids shouldn’t be stressful and serving up BLW foods shouldn’t be more work than feeding yourself and the rest of your family.
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More BLW Posts You Might Like
BLW – A Beginners Guide to Starting Solids Without Spoon Feeding
Baby Led Weaning Easy Meal Planner for Babies and Toddlers
How and When to Introduce Food Allergens to Babies with Baby Led Weaning or Spoon Feeding
Moms, dads and caregivers – what were some of your tactics for reducing food allergies and starting solids? Did you find this baby led weaning meal plan helpful?
Leave me a comment below!
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Sara says
I have tried to sign up to receive the BLW meal plan but I can’t figure it out
Bo says
Hi Abbey,
I’ve tried to sign up multiple times, but am not getting any emails. Please help! I would love to start my baby on this meal plan.
Thank you,
Abbey Sharp says
Hi Bo, I will have that sent to you.
Daisy says
So grateful for you making this plan! Is it possible to send it to me aswel? I have the same problem.
Abbey Sharp says
Sent it!
Kayla says
Hey I am having the same issue. I checked my spam
Abbey Sharp says
Sent it to you!
Arianne says
Hi Abbey,
I’m having the same issue. Really looking forward to the BLW meal plan. Thank you so much for sharing!
Abbey Sharp says
Emailed to you!
Al says
Hi, I too signed up and have not received the plan.
Hannah says
Hello!
I also tried to sign up for the meal plan and haven’t received any emails ! Could you send it to me please?
Thank you!
vellfinish floors says
Wow, I never thought about it that way before! Your analysis really opened my eyes to the deeper implications of this issue. Great job on breaking it down so effectively!
CB says
Hi Abbey and team,
I am trying to access the free meal plan and having issues as others have mentioned. I tried signing up using different email addresses but no luck. Any chance it can be emailed? Really appreciate the amazing (and free) info/content shared on your page!
Abbey Sharp says
Sent it to you
Cansu Görür says
hi!cant acces the meal plan eather while having signed up! can you help please
Erin says
I too signed up for the newsletter, and it’s been a few days. I have not received any email for the BLW meal plan.
Abbey Sharp says
Hi Erin, we are currently investigating this. I will have the download sent to you ASAP!
Isabel says
same for me
Heidi says
I signed up for the newsletter, and it’s been a few hours. I have not received any email for the BLW meal plan. I’ve checked the spam folder as well. any help would be greatly appreciated
Meagan says
Appt of these recipes are really expensive and ingedients hard to find. My grocery store doesn’t even sell brocolli rabe, or sumac, or herbs de province. And a whole salmon or brisket, or lamb is really pricey. Would really like to see a meal plan with more accessible ingredients, and easier for a family on a budget. I can only spend $75 a week on groceries.
Abbey Sharp says
Hi Meagan, thank you so much for your feedback. I’ll definitely consider a more budget friendly meal plan in the future.
Marlin says
Can I use white beans instead of tufo in the smoothie recipe??
F Mundo says
Is the 30 day meal plan still available? I didn’t receive anything in my email.
Abbey Sharp says
Yes it is still available. We are currently in the process of fixing this issue. Please email my assistant [email protected] and she will have the meal plan sent to you. So sorry about the inconvenience!
Erika Dwyer says
I signed up for email and facebook. how do we get the plan! Thanks Abbey
Abbey Sharp says
Did you receive an email from us? It may also be in your junk folder. The email contains the downloadable email.
Hannah says
Hi! I signed up for the email and Facebook page but never received the plan. I checked my junk folders and everything.
Abbey Sharp says
Hi Hannah. Sorry to hear that! We have been trying to troubleshoot this. Please send an email to [email protected] and we’ll have the meal plan sent your way.
Janelle says
I can’t seem to get access to the 1 month meal plan even after subscription and following your fb page.
Abbey Sharp says
Did you receive an email when you signed up? It may be in your junk folder. The email contains a link to the meal plan.
F Mundo says
Is the 30 day meal plan still available? I didn’t get a link in my email.
Abbey Sharp says
Please see previous response to your comment!
Michelle says
I signed up for the subscription and got the email for signing up but the only links on it are the ebooks. How do I get the 1 month meal plan?
Abbey Sharp says
the blw meal plan is one of the e-books!
Sarah @ Bucket List Tummy says
This is such a great resource, I’m going to save for my expecting mother clients. Also believe that food before one has a purpose!
Abbey Sharp says
Awesome and yes!
GiGi Eats says
We just recently started giving my son solids… Well, pureed solids and honestly, we have even tried to give him our food too out of curiosity because I think the sooner he is introduced the sooner we will know if he is intolerant or allergic to anything.
Abbey Sharp says
Exactly.
Kalee says
Wow! There is so much for new moms to think about now! I love how you break it down and share what is working for you and your baby. It makes it more approachable!
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks so much 🙂
Marlin says
Can I use white beans instead of tufo in the smoothie recipe??
Deborah Brooks says
This can be such a stressful time for new moms. I hardly remember it. Thanks for sharing all of your great and helpful ideas
Abbey Sharp says
For sure. Thanks Deborah
Marlin says
Can I use white beans instead of tufo in the smoothie recipe??