Baby-led weaning, also known as allowing babies to feed themselves solid foods, has become increasingly popular among parents. However, there is limited scientific research on the nutritional benefits or drawbacks of this approach compared to traditional spoon-feeding. A recent study conducted by Kinzie Matzeller and her team at the University of Colorado aimed to shed light on this topic by comparing the calorie intake and growth patterns of infants following baby-led weaning versus those fed with pureed food from a spoon.
The study involved 100 healthy five-month-old babies living in the Denver, Colorado area. The parents were asked to report their babies’ food and milk intake for three days, and the researchers weighed the food on the plate before and after meals to determine the amount consumed. This process was repeated when the babies were nine and 12 months old, and the babies were also weighed and measured at each time point.
The researchers identified 35 infants who were following a baby-led weaning approach, where less than 10 percent of their total calories came from pureed food. They then selected 35 conventionally fed babies that matched the baby-led weaning group in terms of demographic factors. The findings showed that there were no significant differences in daily energy intake between the two groups at any point during the study.
Interestingly, the baby-led weaning infants consumed about 22 percent more protein than the other babies at nine months, but this difference equalized by 12 months. Additionally, the baby-led weaning infants had slightly higher weight gain in relation to their age and height at nine and 12 months, but the differences were not substantial.
One notable finding from the study was that baby-led weaning was more common among mothers with higher education and income levels, indicating a possible socioeconomic bias. This suggests that parents who opt for baby-led weaning may have the resources to support this approach, as it can require additional time and expenses.
The results of this study contradict previous research from the UK, which showed reduced energy intake in baby-led weaning infants and increased weight gain in puree-fed babies who also consumed formula. This discrepancy highlights the need for more research to understand the potential health outcomes associated with baby-led weaning and whether these outcomes are influenced by socioeconomic factors.
Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the nutritional aspects of baby-led weaning and raises important questions about the impact of feeding practices on infant health. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of different feeding approaches and their effects on infant growth and development.