Brazilian health professionals’ perception about the Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) method for complementary feeding: an exploratory study

Abstract

Objective: To describe Brazilian health professionals’ perception about the Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) method use for complementary feeding. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study including 458 health professionals graduated in Nursing, Speech Therapy, Medicine, Nutrition or Dentistry and working in Pediatrics, being directly or indirectly involved with pediatric nutrition. We used a convenience non-probability sampling. The questionnaire applied to participants addressed demographic characteristics, academic degree, workplace, knowledge about clinical practice and perceptions about the possible advantages of the BLW method. Results: Participants had a mean age of 34.5±8.5 years, 64.6% of them working in Southeast Brazil and 65.3% being nutritionists. Most participants reported being acquainted with the BLW method (82.0%). Regarding clinical practice, 38.3% mentioned having recommended the BLW some times, 37.5% often and 20.5% always. Most participants fully agreed that the BLW method could have advantages for babies, for example, having them more likely to share family meals, facilitating adaptation to food flavors and consistencies, enhancing chewing and favoring the development of motor skills. On the other hand, important disagreements were also expressed regarding the BLW convenience and the possibility to create less concerns or anxiety in parents. Conclusions: The BLW method reported as advantageous, but disagreements were also raised, probably because scientific evidences on the suject are scarse. Further investigation is needed so we can better understand the risks and benefits and health care professionals can feel effectively assisted to offer support and advice to parents and caretakers.

Use of the Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) Method in Complementary Feeding of the Infant—A Cross-Sectional Study of Mothers Using and Not Using the BLW Method

“…Neves et al [46] surveying health professionals in Brazil (65.3% dietitians), the majority of respondents fully agreed that the BLW method can be beneficial for children, in terms of sharing family meals, facilitating adaptation to food tastes and textures, improving chewing, and fostering the development of motor skills. However, important concerns have been highlighted regarding the convenience of BLW and the possibility of causing less fear or anxiety for parents.…”

Practical Implementation of the BLW Method During the Expansion of the Infant Diet—A Study Among Polish Children

“…A small observational pilot study suggests that this approach had some benefit in increasing iron-rich foods consumed by infants ( 4 , 5 ). In a study by Neves et al ( 9 ) note that there is still insufficient scientific and quality evidence to confirm that the BLW method is the most appropriate form of feeding into the diet of infants. Health professionals from New Zealand and Canada were concerned about the potential for energy and iron deficiencies in BLW children, which can cause disruption to children's growth and normal development ( 9 – 11 ).…”

Micronutrient Profile and Carbohydrate Microstructure of Commercially Prepared and Home Prepared Infant Fruit and Vegetable Purees

“…Although BLW is widely known (92% of professionals and 93% of parents) [ 11 ] and widely used (75% of women) [ 12 ], the area of BLW could benefit from larger, longer-term studies [ 13 ] to better determine the benefits and risks of BLW. Based upon the outcomes of future research, professional guidance could be updated on whether BLW would be more beneficial than traditional weaning [ 14 , 15 ]. Given current recommendations support traditional weaning, the scope of this work centers only on purees.…”