Baby-led weaning and the family diet. A pilot study

Rowan, Hannah; Harris, Cristen

doi:10.1016/j.appet.2012.01.033

Cited by 54 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Brown and Lee6 reported similar results in their qualitative study. The results from the pilot study (n=10) of Rowan and Harris11 also showed that BLW families were sharing most meals (average of 3 of the 3.5 meals/day) with their child by 9 months of age.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Parent-led or baby-led? Associations between complementary feeding practices and health-related behaviours in a survey of New Zealand families

2013

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ObjectiveTo determine feeding practices and selected health-related behaviours in New Zealand families following a ‘baby-led’ or more traditional ‘parent-led’ method for introducing complementary foods.Design, setting and participants199 mothers completed an online survey about introducing complementary foods to their infant. Participants were classified into one of four groups: ‘adherent baby-led weaning (BLW)’, the infant mostly or entirely fed themselves at 6–7 months; ‘self-identified BLW’, mothers reported following BLW at 6–7 months but were using spoon-feeding at least half the time; ‘parent-led feeding’, the mother reported not having tried BLW; and ‘unclassified method’, the mother reported they were not following BLW at 6–7 months but reported the infant mostly or entirely fed themselves at 6–7 months.Results8% were following ‘adherent BLW’, 21% ‘self-identified BLW’ and 0% were following the ‘unclassified method’. Compared with ‘self-identified BLW’ and ‘parent-led feeding’, a higher proportion of the ‘adherent BLW’ met the WHO recommendations to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months and to introduce complementary foods at 6 months. The ‘adherent BLW’ group was more likely to have family foods (p=0.018), and less likely (p=0.002) to have commercially prepared baby food. Both BLW groups were more likely to share meals with the family compared with ‘parent-led feeding’. In contrast to ‘self-identified BLW’ and ‘parent-led feeding’, the ‘adherent BLW’ group did not offer iron-fortified cereal as a first food.ConclusionsThis study suggests that although many parents consider they follow BLW, a very few are following it strictly. The extent to which BLW was followed was associated with potential benefits (eg, sharing family meals) and risks (eg, low iron first foods) highlighting the importance for health professionals and researchers of accurately determining the extent of adherence to BLW.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Parent-led or baby-led? Associations between complementary feeding practices and health-related behaviours in a survey of New Zealand families

2013

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“…As noted above, infants following a baby-led diet are reported to be more likely to eat family foods rather than specially prepared infant foods and join in family meal times [12 •• , 16]. However, one study exploring the diets of families following a baby-led approach found that infants were offered only 57% of the same food as their parents, although ate with their parents on 85% of occasions [15]. …”

Section: Is There a Difference In Diet Consumed?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, a small-scale pilot study of families following the baby-led weaning approach compared family food intake pre- and post-weaning to explore whether parents diet (and therefore food offered to the infant) changed in macro- and micronutrient content, but found that there was no significant change. Moreover, analysis of diet diaries found that adults’ diets were higher in sodium and saturated fat content than both UK and USA guidelines [15]. Potentially, infants may be exposed to nutrients that are less suitable than typical pre-prepared weaning foods, but further research is needed to establish this.…”

Section: Is There a Difference In Diet Consumed?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Baby-Led Weaning: The Evidence to Date

2017

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Purpose of ReviewInfants are traditionally introduced to solid foods using spoon-feeding of specially prepared infant foods.Recent FindingsHowever, over the last 10–15 years, an alternative approach termed ‘baby-led weaning’ has grown in popularity. This approach involves allowing infants to self-feed family foods, encouraging the infant to set the pace and intake of the meal. Proponents of the approach believe it promotes healthy eating behaviour and weight gain trajectories, and evidence is starting to build surrounding the method. This review brings together all empirical evidence to date examining behaviours associated with the approach, its outcomes and confounding factors.SummaryOverall, although there is limited evidence suggesting that a baby-led approach may encourage positive outcomes, limitations of the data leave these conclusions weak. Further research is needed, particularly to explore pathways to impact and understand the approach in different contexts and populations.

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“…As Table 2 outlines, most existing studies have recruited participants who self-identify as following a BLW approach [16,17,18,19,20,21], with all of the ambiguity that this entails. Only the work of Brown and colleagues [16,17,18] uses a more distinct definition to discriminate between those following a Baby-Led approach and those using more conventional feeding, by asking parents to estimate the proportion of food that is provided as purées or spoon-fed.…”

Section: What Is Baby-led Weaning and When Should It Begin?mentioning

confidence: 99%

How Feasible Is Baby-Led Weaning as an Approach to Infant Feeding? A Review of the Evidence

2012

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Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is an alternative method for introducing complementary foods to infants in which the infant feeds themselves hand-held foods instead of being spoon-fed by an adult. The BLW infant also shares family food and mealtimes and is offered milk (ideally breast milk) on demand until they self-wean. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many parents are choosing this method instead of conventional spoon-feeding of purées. Observational studies suggest that BLW may encourage improved eating patterns and lead to a healthier body weight, although it is not yet clear whether these associations are causal. This review evaluates the literature with respect to the prerequisites for BLW, which we have defined as beginning complementary foods at six months (for safety reasons), and exclusive breastfeeding to six months (to align with WHO infant feeding guidelines); the gross and oral motor skills required for successful and safe self-feeding of whole foods from six months; and the practicalities of family meals and continued breastfeeding on demand. Baby-Led Weaning will not suit all infants and families, but it is probably achievable for most. However, ultimately, the feasibility of BLW as an approach to infant feeding can only be determined in a randomized controlled trial. Given the popularity of BLW amongst parents, such a study is urgently needed.

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Baby-led weaning and the family diet. A pilot study

Cited by 54 publications

References 16 publications

Parent-led or baby-led? Associations between complementary feeding practices and health-related behaviours in a survey of New Zealand families

Parent-led or baby-led? Associations between complementary feeding practices and health-related behaviours in a survey of New Zealand families

Baby-Led Weaning: The Evidence to Date

How Feasible Is Baby-Led Weaning as an Approach to Infant Feeding? A Review of the Evidence

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