Your Baby Can Self-Feed, Too: Adapted Baby-Led Weaning for Children with Developmental Delays or Other Feeding Challenges

Feeding difficulties are very common. Between 25 and 50 percent of typically developing babies experience challenges. When it comes to neurodiverse children, that figure rises to 80 percent. If improperly addressed, this can affect their health and wellness throughout childhood and even into adulthood. Resources for parents on feeding disabled or neurodiverse children are scarce. That's where this book comes in.

Your Baby Can Self-Feed, Too, is an inclusive guide to feeding children who need extra support. Feeding therapist Jill Rabin has developed a proprietary method to implement an adapted version of the groundbreaking baby-led weaning method known as ABLW, which involves

• using "bridge devices" (e.g., silicone feeders) for transitioning to self-feeding
• hand-to-mouth facilitation with responsive feeding
• enforcement of autonomy and control to reduce stress on both parents and children

The method is officially called "adapted BLW" (not to be confused with modifying BLW by mixing in purees) and closes the gap between neurotypical and neurodiverse children.

Teaming up with Gill Rapley, one of the original founders of BLW, this book guides parents on specific techniques to address their baby's unique needs--such as individualized support for those with muscular and neurological difficulties, food modification for those who have trouble chewing and swallowing, and alleviating food avoidance and sensitivities. By implementing ABLW, parents can set their neurodiverse babies up for success and lifelong feeding independence.