Baby-led weaning and the family diet. A pilot study

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is a style of solid food introduction that emphasizes self-feeding rather than spoon-feeding. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether parents using BLW change their dietary intake during weaning, and if their babies are offered family foods. Participants kept diet diaries at baseline and three months later, post-BLW implementation. Wilcoxon tests revealed no significant changes in dietary intake during the first three months of weaning, however, parents offered their children 57% of the same foods they were consuming. Results suggest that BLW does not lead to dietary changes among parents during the weaning process.

► Families’ dietary intake does not change during a baby-led style of solid food introduction. ► The majority of foods offered to babies in baby-led weaning are what their parents are eating. ► Infants introduced to solids using baby-led weaning may be offered foods too high in sodium.