Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is an alternative method for the introduction of solid foods to infants in
which the infant feeds themselves hand-held foods rather than being spoon-fed by an adult. This
approach to weaning is being followed by an increasing number of parents. It differs from the
traditional style of weaning as it does not require food to be pureed or well-mashed. The current
recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) are that infants should start receiving
foods in addition to breast milk from 6 months onwards. At this age, infants are developmentally
ready to manage whole foods, they can sit upright, pick up and chew foods. In addition, at 6 months,
the digestive system and immune system become fully developed. …show more content…
A study carried out in 2011 demonstrated how weaning style can affect food preference -
carbohydrates were the most preferred foods of BLW infants, compared to sweet foods for the spoon-
fed group. Another advantage is that the BLW weaning approach is similar to the self-feeding
characteristics of breastfeeding. An infant learns how to respond to internal hunger or satiety ques,
self regulating their own energy intake. This responsive feeding style is one of the most important
practices for encouraging healthy eating habits in early life, however, further studies are needed to
determine whether BLW is a viable approach to obesity prevention.
BLW however, presents with some potential safety concerns. The infant is putting food into their
mouth for the first time. This new experience requires the coordination of chewing, swallowing and
breathing. Parents and health care professionals have raised concern over the risk of choking. Recent
research showed that 30% of BLW infants had at least one episode of choking (with apple). The
which the infant feeds themselves hand-held foods rather than being spoon-fed by an adult. This
approach to weaning is being followed by an increasing number of parents. It differs from the
traditional style of weaning as it does not require food to be pureed or well-mashed. The current
recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) are that infants should start receiving
foods in addition to breast milk from 6 months onwards. At this age, infants are developmentally
ready to manage whole foods, they can sit upright, pick up and chew foods. In addition, at 6 months,
the digestive system and immune system become fully developed. …show more content…
A study carried out in 2011 demonstrated how weaning style can affect food preference -
carbohydrates were the most preferred foods of BLW infants, compared to sweet foods for the spoon-
fed group. Another advantage is that the BLW weaning approach is similar to the self-feeding
characteristics of breastfeeding. An infant learns how to respond to internal hunger or satiety ques,
self regulating their own energy intake. This responsive feeding style is one of the most important
practices for encouraging healthy eating habits in early life, however, further studies are needed to
determine whether BLW is a viable approach to obesity prevention.
BLW however, presents with some potential safety concerns. The infant is putting food into their
mouth for the first time. This new experience requires the coordination of chewing, swallowing and
breathing. Parents and health care professionals have raised concern over the risk of choking. Recent
research showed that 30% of BLW infants had at least one episode of choking (with apple). The