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

• Published in: Pediatric research 2023-11, Vol.94 (5), p.1784-1788
• Main Authors: Fernández-Medina, Isabel María, Márquez-Díaz, Rita Rocío, Arcas-Rueda, Marina, Ruíz-Fernández, María Dolores, Ortíz-Amo, Rocío, Ventura-Miranda, María Isabel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety; Child; Clinical Research Article; Delivery of Health Care; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Food; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Male; Medical education; Medical personnel; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Parents & parenting; Pediatric Surgery; Pediatrics; Qualitative Research; Weaning
• ISSN: 0031-3998; 1530-0447
• DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02694-z

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.