Baby-led Weaning

As babies approach six months of age, many caregivers find themselves ready to start solid food feeding while continuing to offer human milk or infant formula.  This transition often raises the question: what is the best approach to follow?  Baby-led weaning (BLW), a particular feeding approach to introduce solid foods, has been gaining popularity in recent years.  What is BLW?  More importantly, is it a recommended way to introduce solid food to babies? 

What is Baby-led Weaning (BLW)?

BLW was first introduced by a UK health visitor , Gill Rapley, in 2008 .    It recommends caregivers to offer cut-up family food to babies exactly as the rest of the family would eat it, and have babies feed themselves.  BLW is based on the belief that restricting babies from eating the same foods and food textures that the rest of the family eats can interfere with babies’ learning.  Some followers of BLW go further and interpret this approach to also mean that babies should eat without the use of eating utensils.  They believe that as young babies typically only know how to eat using their hands, using utensils often leads to caregivers feeding babies instead of babies feeding themselves.  To illustrate, a typical BLW feeding experience could involve a caregiver offering a piece of well-cooked chicken to baby and encourage the baby to use their hands to feed themselves however babies are ready.  Meanwhile, the rest of the family is also enjoying the roasted chicken, creating a shared meal experience. 
 

What does research say about BLW?

As young babies have immature chewing and swallowing muscles and limited experience in eating solid food, many people question whether BLW might increase choking hazards.  Several recent studies examined the association between BLW and increased choking risks a, b.  The results of these studies indicate an increased choking risk when young babies are fed using BLW approach.  Additionally, the same research found BLW potentially leads to nutritional deficiencies, as babies tend to eat less when fed using this approach.   

Based on the research, many feeding experts do not support BLW.  Instead, they advocate for an alternative feeding approach, often referred to as modified BLW.  
The "modified BLW" describes a feeding approach in which foods with high choking risks, such as hard, sticky, and/or round-shaped foods, are avoided. When these foods are offered, it is recommended to modify their textures by mincing, pureeing, or cutting them into appropriate shapes and sizes.

 Additionally, modified BLW supports the need to use eating utensils, such as spoons, for semi-liquid foods like baby cereal. In terms of self-feeding versus caregiver-feeding, this approach suggests these two methods should work in tandem. Caregivers are encouraged to create opportunities for babies to practice self-feeding, with caregivers nearby to assist when needed. Essentially, modified BLW aligns with “responsive feeding” which is recommended by health professionals in BC and Dietitians of Canada (DC). In reality, responsive feeding and modified BLW promote the same feeding strategies and approaches.

The introduction to solid food is an exciting time for both babies and their caregivers.  Caregivers are encouraged to recognize the developmental stages their babies are in and support their babies’ learning accordingly.  

Source: Jennifer Schneidereit-Hsu, RD, UBC MPH practicum student (summer, 2023)
 

References:

a)    http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2016/09/15/peds.2016-0772.full.pdf
b)    Should I Use Baby-Led Weaning to Start My Baby on Solids? - Unlock Food