Authors

Isabel Calabuig Bono1, Luis Celda Belinchón2, Isabel Miguel Montoya3

Position

1Graduada en Enfermería. Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe. Valencia2Diplomado Estudios Universitarios. Profesor. Escuela de Enfermería La Fe. Universidad de Valencia. Grupo de Investigación GREIACC. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe). Valencia3Doctora en Enfermería. Escuela de Enfermería La Fe. Universidad de Valencia. Grupo de Investigación GREIACC. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe). Valencia

Contact address

Luis Celda Belinchón. Escuela de Enfermería La Fe. Pabellón Docente. Torre H. Avda. de Fernando Abril Martorell, 106. 46026 Valencia.

Contact email: luisceldaeelafe@gmail.com

Abstract

Objective: to describe the Baby-Led Weaning method as a new approach to complementary feeding for infants.
Method: a narrative review was conducted, through a bibliographic review in the IBECS, LILACS, CUIDEN, PubMed, CINAHL and Scielo databases. Key words used: “infant” (“lactante”), “weaning” (“destete”), “Baby-Led Weaning”. Inclusion criteria: meta-analysis, systematic reviews, clinical trials, descriptive studies, and qualitative studies; dated within the previous 10 years; written in Spanish and English. The selection was conducted considering the quality of evidence provided (CASPe >7 and STROBE > 11).
Results: Baby-Led Weaning is a feeding method beneficial for infants, because it reduces the risk of excess weight (86.5% of infants fed through this approach achieves an adequate weight for their age), without increasing the potential risk of choking (only 5.6% presented choking episodes). This method is associated with higher iron deficiency; however, no differences were observed in its Modified version (BLISS) vs. the traditional one. Most mothers have a positive perception and would recommend it. Healthcare professionals acknowledge the main benefits of the BLW method.
Conclusion: Baby-Led Weaning is an effective feeding method. It represents a feeding approach positively valued by mothers and healthcare professionals; however, the latter are still reluctant to recommend it.

Keywords:

Baby-Led Weaning; infant; complementary feeding

Versión en Español

Título:

El Baby-Led Weaning como nuevo método de alimentación complementaria del lactante