Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective:To analyze the scientific literature on Baby-Led Weaning with an integrative literature review to identify risks and benefits.Data source:The databases used were: National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS – Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde), US National Library of Medicine (PubMed), and Virtual Health Library (BVS – Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde) in December 2017. The inclusion criteria established were publications in English with the descriptor “baby-led weaning” in the heading, abstract, or keywords, classified as original articles, of primary nature, and available online and in full. We excluded review articles, editorials, letters to the editor, critical commentaries, and books on the subject, as well as articles not available in full and duplicates.Data summary:We identified 106 articles, of which 17 met the selection criteria. The Baby-Led Weaning method was significantly associated with the baby’s satiety, the start of complementary feeding, and adequacy of weight gain. On the other hand, choking and the intake of micronutrients were negatively associated, however with no statistical differences.Conclusions:Despite the benefits found, the risks still deserve attention and should be investigated with longitudinal randomized controlled studies to ensure the safety of the method when practiced exclusively.
Highlights
Complementary feeding is understood as an important physiological milestone in the life of the baby, given that adequate nutrition, capable of providing sufficient nutritional quantity and quality, is essential to ensure the growth and overall development in its fullest potential.[1]
In contrast to the traditional model, the British nurse Gill Rapley developed a new approach to food introduction in 2008
Three independent reviewers performed the initial step, which corresponded to the search of the descriptor in English: Baby-Led-Weaning
Summary
The food introduction recommended by WHO is considered traditional, starting with purees and gradually increasing the consistency until the infant reaches 12 months of age to respect the learned masticatory movements and swallowing ability.[3] Both the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics[4] and the Ministry of Health[5] give the same recommendation and even encourage the family to eat together in a harmonious environment to establish healthy habits. They emphasize the need to pay attention to the baby’s satiety signals. Foods, preferably those consumed by the family, are offered to the infant as finger foods, allowing the child to feed alone, promoting his or her independence and an intense sensory exploration, unlike the traditional method, in which the parents spoon-feed purees to their children (parent-led) and gradually adapt the food texture.[6,7] This method is gaining popularity among parents, in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, whose departments of health recommend offering finger foods since the beginning of food introduction and after the seventh month, respectively.[8,9]
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