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A new study reveals that baby-led weaning—a method where infants feed themselves whole, non-pureed foods—provides sufficient calories for growth and development, offering evidence-based support for this popular but previously under-researched approach to introducing solids.
Baby-led weaning emphasizes allowing infants to self-feed with whole foods, contrasting the traditional spoon-feeding of pureed foods. Advocates claim that this method promotes healthy eating habits by encouraging babies to explore a variety of foods directly from family meals.
Using data from the Maternal and Infant Nutrition Trial (MINT), a large ongoing clinical study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers demonstrated that baby-led weaning provides the same number of calories per kilogram as conventional weaning and may even support higher growth trajectories.
Addressing Nutritional Concerns
A major concern with baby-led weaning has been whether it supplies sufficient nutrients to support infant growth. “It is reassuring to know that baby-led weaning provides adequate calories for growth,” said Kinzie Matzeller, clinical research coordinator and registered dietitian at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Matzeller is set to present these findings at NUTRITION 2024, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, held June 29–July 2 in Chicago.
Study Methodology
The study focused on a subset of 70 healthy, 5-month-old full-term infants from the MINT study, which examines how various protein-rich foods impact infant growth and gut health. Caregivers recorded the infants’ intake from all foods, including solids, breastmilk, or formula, over three days. These diet records allowed researchers to calculate the babies’ daily intake of nutrients, including calories, macro-, and micronutrients.
Infants were classified as following baby-led weaning if less than 10% of their caloric intake came from pureed baby foods. Researchers then measured the infants’ weight, length, and head circumference monthly to calculate their calorie and protein consumption.
“Previous studies have relied on self-reporting for classifying baby-led weaning,” noted Matzeller. “Using data from diet records sets our study apart and may help provide a more universal definition for baby-led weaning, standardizing research on the topic.”
Findings and Future Research
Although there were no significant differences in energy intake (kcal/kg) between the two weaning groups, the analysis revealed that baby-led weaning was associated with a greater increase in weight-for-age and weight-for-length scores compared to conventionally weaned infants. These scores indicate whether a child’s weight is normal for their age and whether their weight matches their height. Researchers call for further studies to fully understand the relationship between feeding method, dietary intake, and growth.
The study also found that mothers with more education and higher incomes were more likely to use baby-led weaning. While the reasons for this were not studied, researchers speculate that families with higher incomes might have more resources and time for the food preparation required for baby-led weaning and may be more exposed to alternative weaning methods.
Practical Recommendations
For parents interested in baby-led weaning, Matzeller recommends following the babies’ cues and offering a varied and diverse diet. Soft fruits, steamed vegetables, cheese, and small pieces of meat are good options as they are easy for babies to grasp and chew. Foods should be offered in stick shapes about the size of the baby’s fist to prevent choking.
“Baby-led weaning can be a great way to incorporate more options and different types of foods your little one may not get otherwise,” said Matzeller. “Persistence is key, as it often takes up to 15 exposures to a food before a baby accepts it.”
The researchers plan to continue their study with a larger group of infants as the MINT study enrolls more participants. They aim to investigate potential nutritional differences between the weaning methods, such as variations in vitamin and mineral intake, types of foods consumed, and the impact on dietary habits as the children grow.
