Abstract
To compare food and nutrient intakes of infants aged 6-12 months following a baby-led complementary feeding (BLCF) approach and a standard weaning (SW) approach. Participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic questions, a 28 d FFQ and a 24 h dietary recall. UK. Infants (n 134) aged 6-12 months (n 88, BLCF; n 46, SW). There was no difference between weaning methods for the food groups 'fruits', 'vegetables', 'all fish', 'meat and fish', 'sugary' or 'starchy' foods. The SW group was offered 'fortified infant cereals' (P < 0·001), 'salty snacks' at 6-8 months (P = 0·03), 'dairy and dairy-based desserts' at 9-12 months (P = 0·04) and 'pre-prepared baby foods' at all ages (P < 0·001) more often than the BLCF group. The SW group was offered 'oily fish' at all ages (P < 0·001) and 6-8 months (P = 0·01) and 'processed meats' at all ages (P < 0·001), 6-8 months (P = 0·003) and 9-12 months (P < 0·001) less often than the BLCF group. The BLCF group had significantly greater intakes of Na (P = 0·028) and fat from food (P = 0·035), and significantly lower intakes of Fe from milk (P = 0·012) and free sugar in the 6-8 months subgroup (P = 0·03) v. the SW group. Fe intake was below the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for both groups and Na was above the RNI in the BLCF group. Compared with the SW group, the BLCF group was offered foods higher in Na and lower in Fe; however, the foods offered contained less free sugar.
Highlights
At about 6 months of age, infants should be introduced to complementary foods in addition to breast or formula milk, as infant milk alone will not satisfy an infant’s energy and nutrient needs[2]
Our findings indicate some differences in food and nutrient intakes between baby-led complementary feeding (BLCF) and standard weaning (SW) infants
85 % of BLCF parents in the current study reported that they never added salt to food, the BLCF group was offered processed meats on average just over three times per week
Summary
Midwives and health visitors are reliant on evidence-based research to inform their advice to parents. The present study adds to the small pool of knowledge relating to food and nutrient intakes and CF methods. The study suggests that BLCF can have both positive and negative implications for the diets of infants. Parents need to be made more aware of the types of foods they should or should not be offering their infant to ensure that Na intake is not too high and that Fe intake is sufficient. In the current study the BLCF group was less likely to be offered commercially prepared baby foods and less free sugar than the SW group. Parents using BLCF should be informed of the benefits and limitations and given advice to ensure optimal nutritional intake during this important time such as has been achieved during the BLISS studies[16]
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