From Infant Screen Time to Purees to Baby Led Weaning to Sleep Training: Embracing the Messy Middle of Parenting

Ditching extremes and finding the freedom to do what's right for your family

Parenting is messy—literally and figuratively. From late-night feedings to introducing solids, each stage brings decisions, debates, and plenty of trial and error. In today’s world, where social media amplifies “right vs. wrong,” parents face endless opinions, influencer advice, and picture-perfect snapshots of parenting. Whether it’s purée vs. Baby-Led Weaning (BLW), breastmilk vs. formula, or sleep training vs. co-sleeping, it can feel like there’s only one “correct” choice. But the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

In this post, Katie Thomson, Registered Dietitian and cofounder of Square Baby, and Lucie Thome, Baby Nutrition Consultant and founder of Bébé Foodie, break down some common parenting debates, celebrating the freedom to find what works best for your family. From feeding to sleep routines, we want to reassure parents that it’s okay to experiment, adjust, and most importantly, choose what feels right in the moment—even if that changes from week to week.

Purées vs. Baby Led Weaning: What Works Best?

Parents are often torn between whether to start their baby on solids with the traditional purée approach or baby led weaning (BLW). Here’s a brief description of each approach:

Purées: 

• Parents spoon-feed babies purées of various textures – typically starting with smoother purées and working their way towards chunky, thick purées.
• Allow parents to have more control on the variety and pace of the meal. 
• Purées are easier for babies to swallow and digest because they often don't need to be chewed.
• Purées can also offer independence and self-feeding when you allow baby to explore and use utensils themselves.
• May be easier to introduce allergens in a certain dosage when using purées.

BLW:

• Babies are offered the same foods as the rest of the family, but modified for their age and safety. 
• Parents put large pieces of soft food on the table or in the highchair for babies to pick up and feed themselves. 
• BLW allows babies to eat at their own pace and follow their hunger cues. 
• Encourages baby to explore food, offers more independence and a sense of curiosity.
• Eventually, most babies naturally transition to self-feeding.

Which is better? BLW vs Purees 

The short answer: neither is inherently “better” than the other. Both methods offer their own unique benefits. And many families find success with “combo feeding” – incorporating purées and BLW as it fits into their lifestyle and daily meals.

That’s right – you don't have to choose a side! 

“Parents often feel pressured to choose one method or the other, but you don’t have to. As with so many nutritional recommendations -- it's all about balance. You don't have to offer only purées. Nor should you feel the need to avoid purées altogether. It’s perfectly fine to mix and match—perhaps you offer purées at breakfast and allow your baby to self-feed at lunch. Or, use purées as a sauce, dip, spread, parfait topping, or even a popsicle teether! It’s about finding what works for your baby and your lifestyle. A hybrid approach may be best for your family -- allowing baby to explore various foods and flavors, practice with a spoon and self-feeding, explore their food, pay attention to their hunger cues, and enjoy a range of textures that will help with palate development."

- Katie Thomson, Registered Dietitian & Cofounder/CEO, Square Baby

We believe that parents should do what works for them. Not all babies will successfully take to finger foods or self-feeding when they are ready for solids (typically around 4-6 months). And some babies will be ready to move past the purée stage pretty quickly.

Introducing Solids: What's Most Important?

1. Introduce your baby to a variety of real foods and textures starting around 4-6 months.
2. Listen to your baby's cues! Do not adhere to the "clean plate club". Listen to your baby -- if they are showing hunger cues, keep feeding them. If they are indicating they're full (spitting the food out or turning their head), then stop. Sounds simple, but it's so important. Overriding your baby's cues and overfeeding them could teach or encourage bad habits that may lead to obesity later in life.
3. Help baby learn to eat from a spoon. An occasional pouch is fine (we get it; they're super-convenient), but it's important to help your baby learn to physically eat from a spoon -- pushing food to the back of their mouth & swallowing.
4. Let baby touch and explore the food. Allow your little one to grab the spoon and/or touch the food to explore different textures and foods.
5. Provide them with the proper nutrition to thrive and grow. Remember that baby is going to need iron at about 6 months when their body's reserves have depleted. It's especially important for breastfed babies to get iron from real food (examples: meat/poultry, beans/lentils, peas, sweet potatoes, etc), fortified cereals, or even vitamin supplements.
6. Offer balanced meals from all the food groups.
7. Introduce herbs, spices, and more adventurous foods & flavors to broaden their palate and set them up for a lifetime of healthy eating.
8. AAP recommends introducing allergens at 4-6 months to help prevent food allergies. Offering your baby wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts EARLY & OFTEN can actually help their immune system build up a tolerance and acceptance of these Top 8 Allergens.
9. Talk to your pediatrician about what's best for you and your baby.

Top 3 Tips to Incorporating purées + Baby Led Weaning:

1. Use purées as a dip, spread or topping.
2. Use purées as a sauce base over quinoa, noodles, or steamed veggies.  Even add puréed veggies & meat to Mac N Cheese for an extra boost of nutrition
3. Try adding some table foods alongside a purée. Add whole/smashed peas, avocado, peaches, or flaked salmon to baby’s favorite purée.

Learn more about BLW + Puree tips and tricks.

“Offering a mixture of both purée and BLW allows for the child to have exposure to multiple flavors and textures which is really the best way for them to learn how to eat. I always tell families to focus on promoting a positive eating experience and feed their children based on their cues rather than to follow a strict method.”

- Lauren Remondino, Feeding Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist & Lactation Counselor

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Baby Food: It's All About Balance

Another hot topic for parents is the homemade vs. store-bought baby food debate. Store-bought options often face criticism, especially when it comes to issues like false marketing. For example, a kale and pear purée pouch might list kale as an ingredient, but in reality, you can barely taste it, and it doesn’t deliver the same nutritional punch as a homemade kale purée. While it's true that these pouches may lack the full range of nutrients from fresh vegetables, it’s important to remember that they are not "bad foods." In fact, they can be an excellent snack—just not a complete meal.

As professionals, it's our job to educate parents on this balance. There are plenty of great store-bought options that, when paired with sliced vegetables or some grains at home, can provide a nutritious meal. Alternatively, you can serve a homemade meal for dinner and use store-bought options during busy days.

The key here is balance. The entrance of high-quality, convenient store-bought options outweighs the debate of homemade vs. store-bought. The conversation should shift towards how to balance the two, depending on what works best for your family. While “baby food” is often a marketing term—since babies should essentially just eat "food"—the reality is that in our modern world, both parents often work, and you might not be with your child at every meal. You also can’t make everything from scratch three times a day, and that’s okay.

Breastmilk vs. Formula: The Real Goal is a Fed Baby

Few parenting topics are as emotionally charged as the decision between breastfeeding and formula feeding.  Generally, breastfeeding is considered the healthiest option (for both babies and mothers), but there are many factors that play into the decision including lifestyle, comfort level, physical ability to breastfeed, and medical considerations. While the AAP recommends exclusively breastfeeding babies for the first six months (and continue to have breast milk as a main part of their diet until they are at least one year old), there are many benefits of formula as well.  

This decision is a very personal one. Weighing the pros and cons – and taking into account your specific situation – can help you decide what is best for you and your baby.

"My breastfeeding journey with my daughter has been anything but straightforward. Despite my own advice to others about flexible feeding, I found myself wrapped up in the pressure to exclusively breastfeed, feeling the weight of expectations creeping in. Eventually, I had to remind myself that what really matters is that my baby is healthy and that I’m present for her, however we get there. There’s no one right way to feed our babies—just the way that works for us. And that’s a choice worth standing behind."

- Lucie Thome, Founder Bébé Foodie, on her own breastfeeding experience

Here are some considerations about Breastfeeding vs Formula Feeding:

• Nutrition. Breast milk is a better source of nutrition than formula. It contains nutrients that are important for brain growth and nervous system development. Breast milk also contains antibodies from the mother that help protect babies from infections. 

• Digestion. Breast milk is easier for babies to digest than formula. Breastfed babies have fewer digestive issues like diarrhea and constipation. 

• Infections. Breastfed babies have fewer infections, especially ear, lung, and digestive infections. Breastfeeding can also help prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal infection that can affect premature babies. 

• Cost. Formula feeding can be expensive, costing between $800 and $2,800 per year.

• Convenience. Formula is convenient because it doesn't need to be refrigerated before mixing, and either parent or caregiver can feed the baby. 

• Feeding frequency. Babies digest formula more slowly than breast milk, so you may need to feed them less often. 

• Bonding. Some mothers worry that if they don't breastfeed, they won't bond with their baby in the same way. Remember that loving mothers will always create a special bond with their babies. And any type of feeding — breast or bottle — is a great time to strengthen that bond.

“I always encourage families to remember "fed is best." It is easy to let the debate of breastmilk vs formula create stress and guilt around what feeding method a family chooses. However, a baby's health and development is the most important factor to consider. So many variables can influence a family's feeding choices - it is important to support all of the options to ensure a baby can thrive without judgment or pressure.”

- Lauren Remondino, Feeding Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist & Lactation Counselor

Bottom line – every parent will make the decision that is best for their family. And we all need to support each other in our journey.  We’re all given a different set of circumstances that could make breastfeeding or formula feeding more ideal.

Sleep Training vs. Not Sleep Training: Every Family’s Sleep Journey is Different

When it comes to sleep, no two families are alike. While some parents swear by sleep training and swear they couldn’t have survived without it, others prefer more natural approaches to sleep.

What is Sleep Training?

Sleep training is a general term that refers to the methods and practices used to help a baby fall asleep and get adequate rest. There are various techniques – and successful methods are individualized and vary by family and baby. 

Sleep training is generally recommended as early as 4 months or as late as 9 months – with 6 months of age typically being the sweet spot. This way, you can sleep train and night wean at the same time. 

Pros & Cons of Sleep Training

Sleep training can have both benefits and drawbacks for families – and what works well for one family might not be the best option for another. Let’s break it down so you can decide what’s best for you. 

Benefits of Sleep Training

• Parents sleep more 
• Babies learn to self-soothe 
• Babies get more restful sleep 
• Promotes bonding between baby and parent
• Better naps
• Babies have fewer developmental and behavioral issues 
• Babies have a happier temperament 

Drawbacks of Sleep Training

• Takes time and effort to determine the best method
• Change doesn’t happen overnight
• It can take a toll on parents – feelings of guilt and stress as baby cries
• Sleep training can increase the risk of SIDS for babies under 6 months old
• It can be very difficult with older kids (starting ~6 months is easier than toddler ages)
• Sleep training can reduce opportunities for breastfeeding 
• The experience increases a baby’s cortisol levels

Regardless of which method you choose, bedtime routines are key to better sleep

By establishing a consistent and soothing bedtime routine, you can help your baby transition to sleep more easily and promote a more restful night's sleep.

• Consistency is Key: Establish a consistent bedtime and follow the same routine every night. Consistency helps signal to your baby's body that it's time to sleep, making it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.

• Start Winding Down: Begin your bedtime routine about 30 minutes to 1 hour before your baby's desired sleep time. This allows them to gradually transition from playtime to sleep time. Activities such as a warm bath, gentle massage, or quiet play can help calm your baby.

• Create a Calm Environment: Make the sleep environment conducive to relaxation. Dim the lights, lower the noise level, and maintain a comfortable temperature. Use white noise or soft music to create a soothing atmosphere.

• Read a Bedtime Story: Reading a bedtime story can be a relaxing and comforting activity for your baby. Choose age-appropriate books with soothing tones and gentle illustrations.

• Offer Comfort: Provide comfort and reassurance to your baby before putting them to bed. This could involve cuddling, singing a lullaby, or gentle rocking. Find what works best for your baby and incorporate it into your routine.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a few sleep training techniques, including:

• Encourage self-soothing
• Don't hold, rock, or feed your baby until they fall asleep. This helps them learn to fall asleep on their own, which is important for putting themselves back to sleep during the night.
• Use the graduated extinction method
• This is a gentler sleep training technique that involves slowly increasing how long you wait to respond to your baby's crying. 
• Remember: YOU are the expert on your child.
• Use your intuition and follow your gut. Do what works best for your family. And remember to speak to your pediatrician about the best techniques to try for your baby.

Learn more in our Comprehensive Guide to Sleep and Nutrition

Screen Time vs. No Screen Time: How Strict Should We Be?

In today’s digital age, the screen time debate is hard to avoid. Some parents advocate for zero screen time, while others see it as a practical part of modern parenting. And with that comes guilt and shaming—no matter which side you’re on.

• Judgment is common: Some parents feel judged for allowing TV, while others feel shamed for keeping screens out of reach.
• Shaming isn’t helpful: Parenting is about balance, not judgment. Every family is different, and each needs to find what works for them.
• Realities of daily life: For some, avoiding screens in early childhood is a priority, while others find screen time helpful for daily tasks or moments without childcare.
• Mindful moderation: Too much TV can lead to restlessness, but informed, moderate use can be helpful.

The key is to stay educated, set boundaries that work for your family, and remember that balance—whether for a quick distraction or an educational show—matters more than perfection.

"While it's important to recognize the growing body of research indicating that excessive screen time can impact children's development, including risks to attention spans and social skills, we must also acknowledge that not all screen time is created equal.  Studies have also highlighted that interactive, age-appropriate educational content, can serve as a valuable tool for learning and engagement when used thoughtfully. Finding this balance is important. Additionally, as a pediatrician and mother I know that parenting can be extremely challenging and sometimes screens offer a much needed break for parents to recharge or complete necessary household tasks such as cooking dinner!  Please don’t feel guilty if you occasionally rely on screens for a few moments of peace. A healthy, present parent is the best gift for your child.” 

- Dr. Michelle Shiffman, Pediatrician

Educational content can serve as a valuable tool for learning and engagement when used thoughtfully. As parents, it’s crucial to strike a balance—encouraging interactive and age-appropriate media while prioritizing hands-on, real-world experiences that foster creativity and social interaction. Remember, moderation and mindful choices can empower our children to thrive in both digital and physical worlds.

Co-Sleeping vs. "Never in Our Bed": Trust Your Instincts

The decision to co-sleep or not is another deeply personal choice—and yet, it often sparks heated debates.  But let’s be clear: unless you’re living in someone else’s home, dealing with their sleepless nights, or managing their family’s unique challenges, you’re not in a position to judge. Sleep is critical for everyone, but so is finding a rhythm that ensures the whole family survives and thrives.

• Co-Sleeping (Infant Co-Sleeping): For many families, co-sleeping promotes bonding and can help both parents and babies get better rest. But, it’s essential to stay informed about safe co-sleeping practices—safety is always key, and taking precautions can minimize risks. As they grow, it’s not uncommon for toddlers to wander into your bed in the middle of the night, seeking comfort during sleep regressions or just craving some closeness. But rest assured, it won’t last forever—eventually, they’ll stop coming into your bed.
• Independent Sleeping: On the other hand, some parents prefer to establish independent sleep routines early on. They value having their own space, and setting strict rules about the parent’s bedroom helps them sleep better and helps babies learn to sleep independently. And guess what? That’s perfectly fine too!

Whether you choose to co-sleep or set up an independent sleeping routine, the important thing is finding what works best for your family’s needs and lifestyle. In the end, it’s all about making sure everyone gets the rest they need in the way that works best for them. Sleep drama? We don’t need it here!

How to Create A Safe Sleep Environment:

According to the AAP:

• Place the baby on his or her back.
• Use a firm sleep surface such as a crib or bassinet.
• Use a tight-fitting sheet (no loose bedding).
• Avoid use of soft bedding, including crib bumpers, blankets, pillows and soft toys. The crib should be bare.
• Share a bedroom with parents, but not the same sleeping surface, preferably until the baby turns 1 but at least for the first six months. Room-sharing decreases the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent.
• Avoid baby’s exposure to smoke, alcohol and illicit drugs.

Choosing What's Best for Your Family

In the end, parenting is about finding what works best for you and your child. As firm believers in flexibility, we know that letting go of rigid expectations can make the journey more enjoyable and less stressful. Whether it’s feeding choices, screen time, or sleep routines, remember that every family is unique, and what matters most is a happy, healthy child.

For more personalized guidance and nutritious solutions, check out Square Baby for balanced meal plans crafted by experts. And if you’re looking to dive deeper into baby nutrition, join the waitlist for early access to Bébé Foodie’s new app—a flexible, pressure-free resource designed to support you every step of the way.