I did BLW with S, and plan to with T, as well. First of all, you have it backwards. For centuries, there were no blenders. Babies were BF, and then got real food. NOW in modern times is when we have started the puree nonsense. Second, if you follow the "rules" of BLW, it's really very safe. Babies gag refluxes are much farther forward on their tongues than yours or mine or even a toddlers. So, if they get too much to handle, they gag far sooner than when it would be a choking hazard. E.g., they spit it out rather than get it lodged in their throats. Also, baby's pincer grasp - their ability to hold small things - isn't refined enough for anything they could choke on early on. If you give them fist sized chunks - e.g., a wedge of peach; a piece of steamed broccoli; etc. - they can hold it and only get the part outside their fist into their mouth. For the most part, "food" is all about learning, texture, taste, etc. for the first year (really, from 6-12 months). BM/formula is and should be the main source of nutrition up to a year. It really is easy to do, and not scary at all. I'm far more scared of the super small pieces of food most people these days give their babies as that is the perfect size to lodge in a small throat. By contrast, a fist sized chunk of mango isn't going to fit down a baby's throat so there really is no choking hazard. If you're interested in more information, check out babyledweaning.com or the book Baby Led Weaning by Gill Rapley. But to sum up - the rules are "fist sized" chunks given to baby to feed him/herself, and not until baby is at least 6 months AND can sit up unassisted.