Dividing plates for baby-led weaning? YES!
May 30, 2025
Written by Dr Kyla Smith - Paediatric Dietitian
dividing for progress
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is a way of feeding babies that focuses on offering soft finger foods from about 6 months old, instead of using puree on a spoon. This approach tends to suit babies who have an independent streak and are confident to explore new things.
Some babies take to soft finger foods straight away, while others are slower to warm up. Some babies will progress with more challenging textures quickly, while others will stay on super soft food for a while. There’s no right or wrong here, instead it’s about letting your baby lead the way.
“Introducing solids isn’t about getting it ‘right’ or making sure your baby eats a certain way.”
– Dr Kyla Smith, Paediatric Dietitian
why dividing foods can help babies learn
Introducing solids is about more than just textures; it's about helping your baby learn to enjoy eating at their own pace. When your baby is feeding themselves, they get to touch, hold and mouth the food, which helps build coordination and self-feeding skills. This sensory exploration is also a crucial part of how babies learn about food and build positive mealtime experiences.
Offering your baby a choice of what to explore first can support their autonomy at mealtimes. That’s where offering a small selection of foods on a divided plate like the b.box 2 in 1 suction plate can be helpful.
Offering individual foods also gives your baby the chance to notice different colours, texture, and smells of different foods. This can make the experience feel more manageable, especially for babies who get overwhelmed when there’s lots of food in front of them. But not every baby needs or wants their food separated, and not every meal lends itself to using dividers. Some babies love a bit of everything mixed together or scooping foods from an open plate, and that’s great too!
That’s why I love the b.box 2 in 1 suction plate. The removable dividers give you the flexibility to start with three separate compartments for individual foods, then remove the sections later to use it as an open plate.
the role of divided plates in mealtime success
When planning a meal for your baby, I recommend including a grain food, a protein food and a fruit or vegetable. This helps provide variety without thinking too much about specific nutrients. You can pop one of each food group into the divided sections of a plate as you meal prep.
The suction base on the 2 in 1 suction plate keeps it firmly in place on the highchair tray, which is ideal for those messy, exploratory stages where more food often ends up on the floor than anywhere else. The curved walls and raised edge make it easier for little hands to scoop food with fingers or utensils, encouraging confident eating and autonomy (that's the goal!). For many families, having the right tools like this can support simpler, more enjoyable mealtimes for everyone.
sample meal layouts (using 2 in 1 suction plate)
Here’s some BLW ideas for filling the sections in your b.box divided plate:
plate 1: 6 months
Level A: Very soft finger foods that pass the smush test with little pressure. Make pieces large and long, 1–2 adult fingers.
section 1 (small) – steamed sweet potato: Cook until soft. Skin on (for grip) or off. Remove skin if it is tough or your baby tends to put things into their mouth whole.
section 2 (small) – banana: Skin on (halved and trimmed around the top for grip) or off. Start with a very ripe banana.
section 3 (large) – silken tofu: Just slice a piece off the block. If it is too soft to pick up, press it into some paper towel to firm up a little.
plate 2: 7 months
Level B: Soft and mashable finger foods. Take 1–2 bites before they fall apart. Bigger is still better, so that your baby can hold them.
section 1 (small) – apple puree: Spread on a cruskit.
section 2 (small) – cucumber core: Slice the outer edges off a large cucumber and give your baby just the soft core to start with (you can eat the outside bits).
section 3 (large) – falafel: If your falafel is quite firm, squash and warm it in the microwave, or soften it with warm water.
plate 3: 8–9 months
Level C: Soft finger food that holds its shape. Takes 3–4 bites before they fall apart. Keep some big pieces and start to include small cubes for pincer grip practice.
section 1 (small) – grated vegetables: e.g. celery, carrot, radish, zucchini, capsicum, squash, mushroom, cucumber, etc. You can steam gently to soften at first.
section 2 (small) – tortilla strips: Wrap, pita, tortilla, mountain bread, soft taco, etc. Start with strips, especially if it is tough or chewy.
section 3 (large) – beef or lamb steak strips: Medium rare, very thinly sliced. Well-cooked meat and larger pieces require more skill.
Note: Beef and lamb steak can be served medium rare as long as it is still an intact piece of muscle when you cook it. If it has been minced or turned into a sausage or patty, it must be cooked through.
plate 4: 10–12 months
Level D: Requires some chewing or gum mashing, but doesn’t break off in hard or sharp chunks. Can start to include bite-size pieces of all sizes.
section 1 (small) – chicken drumstick: Remove the top joint/cartilage and the one remaining sharp bone (this leaves the chicken meat and one big round bone).
section 2 (small) – peas and corn kernels: Cooked from frozen, fresh or tinned.
section 3 (large) – noodles: Udon, Soba, Hokkien, etc. Start with smaller and well-cooked pieces.
progress over perfection
Every baby takes to eating differently. Some babies love to dive in and explore with their hands, while others need more time to feel confident and comfortable. You’ll notice your baby's appetite and interest in food can change daily, and some meals will be messy while others won’t. That’s all part of learning to eat.
Introducing solids isn’t about getting it “right” or making sure your baby eats a certain way. It’s about following your baby's cues and laying the foundations to raise a confident eater. The b.box 2 in 1 suction plate features divided sections and an open plate, making it an excellent choice for your baby's first meals through toddlerhood. You can use what works best for your baby at each meal. Once you’ve got your equipment sorted and your food is prepped, you can focus on what matters most: enjoying mealtimes together.
