Baby‐led weaning: A thematic analysis of comments made by parents using online parenting forums

Abstract

Background: Baby-led weaning (BLW) centres on making the baby an active partner, rather than a passive recipient of complementary feeding. Key features of BLW include self-feeding foods in their natural form, eating with the rest of the family and consuming family foods. This differs from traditional weaning (TW) where parents initially spoon feed purees, alongside finger foods, before graduating to more textured food. Previous research, however, has suggested parents may not fully adhere to one weaning style. The present study aimed to explore how the meaning and interpretation of BLW may contribute to the weaning style used. Methods: Messages and responses posted on three UK parenting forums, and relating to complementary feeding, were analysed using an interpretive thematic approach. Results: The characterisation of BLW by parents was varied, although they described BLW having an ethos which included trusting the baby, role modelling, developing confidence with food and sharing the social aspects of mealtimes. BLW also offered an alternative to those actively seeking something different or a default for those whose baby refused purees or spoon feeding. BLW felt like a natural progression, with low parental effort for some, and a source of anxiety, stress, choking risk and mess for others. Many parents struggled to find a process (what to eat and when) within BLW that they could follow. Finger foods were used synonymously with BLW, but many mixed/blurred aspects of both TW and BLW. Conclusions: The interpretation of BLW varies considerably between parents and a broader definition of BLW may be required, along with guidance on the process and purpose of BLW.

Maternal Anxiety During Solid Food Introduction: Insights from a Comparative Feeding Practices Study

“…This could be because mothers practicing BLW may experience greater anxiety due to concerns about choking hazards, ensuring adequate nutrition, and the overall safety of allowing infants to self-feed [26]. For some, BLW felt like a natural transition that required little parental effort, but for others, it was a source of worry, anxiety, choking danger, and chaos [27]. However, these ndings oppose those of Arden & Abbott [28], who showed that mothers who followed the BLW method reported less anxiety during meals; they also expressed high levels of con dence in their babies' capacity to decide when, what, and how much food to eat.…”

Infant egg consumption during introduction to solid food remains low in the United Kingdom but increases with infant age and a baby‐led weaning approach

“…There is also the possibility that baby‐led infants consume eggs more frequently as they are viewed to be less fussy and more adventurous in their eating style and food acceptance 38–40 . At present there are no experimental studies testing food fussiness in infants by weaning style, and data rely on maternal report.…”

“…37 There is also the possibility that baby-led infants consume eggs more frequently as they are viewed to be less fussy and more adventurous in their eating style and food acceptance. [38][39][40] At present there are no experimental studies testing food fussiness in infants by weaning style, and data rely on maternal report. There was no difference in infant perceived enjoyment of eggs between those following a baby-led and spoon-fed approach, but potentially views of baby-led infants being receptive to a wider range of foods might affect whether parents choose to introduce foods like eggs to their infant.…”

Risks and benefits of Baby - Led Weaning, as a new proposal for the beginning of complementary feeding

“…Durante la primera fase lo mejor es que los bebés se mantengan únicamente con lactancia o fórmula, así pues, los padres tendrán que esperar hasta que su hijo muestre signos de desarrollo de preparación para autoalimentarse lo cual se ve reflejado alrededor de los seis meses. (6) Cuando el bebé pasa de alimentarse solo de un líquido como es la leche a incrementar sólidos en su dieta, lo óptimo será facilitar los alimentos en piezas de fácil agarre. (7) En un estudio observacional realizado por Brown et al (22) , donde se analizaron a 1151 bebés con riesgo de arcadas y asfixia, los resultados de dicha investigación apuntaron que cerca de un 11,9 % del grupo que implementó la práctica del BLW presentó episodios de atragantamiento, en tanto que en un 11,6 % de niños alimentados con la técnica tradicional también presentaron el mismo problema, es decir no se refleja una gran diferencia entre las dos prácticas alimentarias.…”