Baby-Led Weaning vs. Traditional Complementary Feeding-Differences in Feeding Practices Among Polish Children Aged 6-36 Months-A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Complementary feeding involves introducing additional foods to a child's diet, influenced by the child's age, developmental stage, and skills, such as sucking, swallowing, and chewing. The WHO and ESPGHAN recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, with the gradual introduction of complementary foods thereafter. The baby-led weaning (BLW) method emphasises self-feeding and the early introduction of solid foods, fostering independence and development. This study aimed to evaluate the mode of complementary feeding in children aged 6-36 months, considering the BLW method.

Material and method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the parents of children aged 6-36 months using a Google Forms questionnaire distributed through social media. The study included 1027 participants, with 1017 mother-child pairs meeting the inclusion criteria. The questionnaire covered demographic data, feeding methods, and detailed questions on complementary feeding practices, including BLW. The study included children fed using the baby-led weaning method during supplementary feeding (BLW-baby-led weaning) and children not using the BLW method (NoBLW-no baby-led weaning).

Results: This study found significant differences between the BLW and NoBLW groups in terms of feeding methods and outcomes. BLW children were more often exclusively breastfed (68.9% vs. 58.7%) and started complementary feeding later (79.9% between 6 and 7 months). Adverse events in the BLW group included gagging (64.8%), spitting out food (77.1%), and choking (12.3%), with rare cases requiring medical intervention (0.2%). Children using BLW showed greater autonomy in their eating decisions and had more frequent exposure to varied food textures.

Conclusions: Children using the BLW method were more likely to be breastfed, had more contact with various textures, and were less likely to consume milk formula and pudding-type products. BLW, despite the risk of choking, is safe under supervision and supports motor development and healthy eating habits. The BLW method has the potential to support healthy eating habits and child independence, but its use requires parental education about safety and appropriate food choices. Further research should focus on the long-term effects of this method, especially in terms of its impact on children's eating habits, motor development, and health at an older age.

Keywords: baby-led weaning; children’s diet; complementary feeding; neophobia.

Figure 1

Study design.