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Abstract
Baby-led weaning is an approach to the introduction of solid foods that is being followed by increasing numbers of parents, but what is it, and should health visitors be encouraging it? This paper aims to refresh practitioners' background knowledge of complementary feeding and to outline the key features of baby-led weaning, as well as to explore the evidence that supports this approach as a logical adjunct to the move to six months for the introduction of solid foods. The more common concerns of parents and professionals, such as choking and iron intake, are addressed. Tips for implementing baby-led weaning are included and some of the potential benefits identified.
Key words
Weaning, solid foods, complementary feeding, infant feeding, baby-led weaning
Introduction
The word 'weaning' can be interpreted in several ways. For the purposes of this paper, weaning refers to the transition from a diet consisting only of milk feeds (breastmilk or formula) to one that contains no milk feeds. Under this definition, weaning is a gradual process, which can be expected to take from several months to a few years. The introduction of solid foods marks the initiation of weaning and the final feed of breastmilk or formula its completion.
Baby-led weaning is an approach to weaning in which the baby is allowed to direct and control the process from the very beginning. Thus, during the introduction of solid foods, the parents decide what to offer but it is the baby who decides what they will eat, how much and how quickly. The key features of baby-led weaning are that:
* The baby sits with the family at mealtimes
* The baby is offered the same (healthy) food as everyone else, in pieces appropriate to their developmental level (large at first, then smaller)
* The baby feeds themselves from the beginning, first with their hands and later with cudery
* Milk feeding (of breastmilk or formula) continues on demand, unconnected with mealtimes.
This paper aims to refresh practitioners' background knowledge of weaning before outlining and exploring the evidence to support baby-led weaning.
When and why is solid food needed?
The current recommendation of the World Health Organization (2002) and UK health departments (DH, 2003; DHSSPS, 2004; NHS Health Scotiand, 2010) is that solid foods...