Baby-led weaning: Health professionals 'knowledge and attitudes and parents' experiences from Spain. A mixed methods approach

Experiences and opinions towards baby-led weaning by healthcare professionals. A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an alternative method to spoon-feeding to introduce solid foods. This study aimed to describe and understand the experiences and opinions of pediatricians and pediatric nurse specialists of the implementation of the BLW approach.

METHODS

An interpretive descriptive qualitative research was carried out. A focus group with 7 participants and 13 face-to-face interviews were conducted between February and May 2022 (17 females and 3 males). All were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed with the supported by Atlas.Ti qualitative data analysis software.

RESULTS

From the data, two themes developed: (1) BLW as an ideal method of introducing solid food, with the subthemes: "a natural method of introducing complementary feeding" and "BLW is a safe method"; (2) Perceived barriers to the uptake of the BLW method, with the subthemes: "a lack of BLW training prevents the best practice" and "the influence of family and social context on parents."

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare professionals perceive BLW to be a safe and natural weaning approach. The lack of training of healthcare professionals and the influence of family social context on parents may limit the implementation of BLW.

IMPACT

Baby-led weaning is perceived by healthcare professionals as a safe complementary feeding method that promotes chewing, improves growth, and the development of fine motor skills. However, lack of training of healthcare professionals and the family social context of the parents hinders the uptake of baby-led weaning. The views of the family and parents' social context about baby-led weaning may restrict their willingness to use the method. Family education delivered by healthcare professionals may avoid risks and allay parental anxieties about safety.

Use of the Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) Method in Complementary Feeding of the Infant-A Cross-Sectional Study of Mothers Using and Not Using the BLW Method

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an increasingly popular way of expanding a baby’s diet. It is based on the baby becoming physically ready to feed himself, effectively supplementing his diet, which until now has been based on breast milk or modified milk. The aim of the study was to assess mothers’ knowledge about the use of the BLW method to expand the diet of a young child. The essence of the study assumed the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of using this method indicated by mothers. Materials and Methods: A total of 320 mothers participated in the study. Data for the study were collected anonymously using the CAWI method. The research tool was the original questionnaire relating to the knowledge about the BLW method and the application of the BLW method in practice. Results: The BLW method was used by 240 (75%) women. The reasons for not using the BLW method were: the child did not cooperate n = 30 (37.5%) and was not ready to use the BLW method n = 20 (25%). In total, 182 (75.8%) mothers using BLW and 63 (78.8%) mothers not using BLW started extending the diet before the child was 6 months old. According to 270 (84.4%) mothers, including 205 (85.4%) using BLW, stable sitting in a highchair/on the lap is a decisive factor for starting the dietary expansion with the BLW method. Conclusions: Mothers’ knowledge of the BLW method as a way of expanding a young child’s diet was insufficient. It seems important to implement appropriate educational activities on the methods of expanding children’s diets to broaden parents’ knowledge of the influence of nutrition on infant development.