Baby Led Weaning (BLW) - The Big Picture

BLW is what I believe to be a far superior method to introducing solid food to our babies.  BLW introduces finger foods from the start versus introducing purees.  In this way, the first eating skill you're giving your baby is the skill of chewing (albeit chewing without teeth) and distinguishing what should be swallowed versus swallow anything that goes in your mouth.

Spin off advantages (I've seen):

• Less likely to swallow/choke on something inedible they get in their mouths, their mouths distinguish what is food and what isn't, the same as your adult mouth does
  
• More open to different textures and flavors
• More independent eaters
• Easier to feed in any setting - don't have to have a bottle of baby food
• Better manual dexterity
• Better digestion in the early toddler years as a result of better chewing skills
• Better enunciation/speaking skills as a result of better chewing and tongue movement skills
• Better fork and spoon skills

This movement is based of a Research paper written by Gill Rapley (Deputy Programme Director of Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative).  There is a book that explains everything you can buy or you can probably get all the info you need reading through posts on BLW forums like this one. 

I was personally introduced to BLW by a girlfriend when my little girl was about 9 months.  We stayed with her for the weekend and she showed me the ropes.  Although it was a bit later than the ideal starting age, it was SOOO superior to the babyfood route we used with my son.  She is so far advanced on all eating fronts and it has made our life so much easier.  It is still so much easier to feed my 17 month old than it is to feed my 3+ year old. 

So for what it's worth, I personally highly recommend it.
(Note, this approach has no connection with Infant Swimming Resource and my comments here are not an endorsement by Infant Swimming Resource)