Practical Implementation of the BLW Method During the Expansion of the Infant Diet—A Study Among Polish Children

Abstract

The aim of the study was to verify the knowledge of mothers of children under 3 years of age about the Baby Led Weaning (BLW) feeding model and their practical implementation of this method. The study involved 761 mothers and their children. After analysis of the inclusion and exclusion criterion, the information provided by women 699 aged 21–48 years was included in the final data analysis. In the study group, most children were breastfed for 6 months to 1 year (n = 256, 36.7%), 1 year to 2 years (n = 179, 25.6%) and over 2 years (n = 71, 10.2%). Starting dietary expansion before 17 weeks of age was implemented in 47 (6.7%) children, between and 17–26 weeks of age in 328 (46.9%) children, and after 26 weeks of age in 324 (46.3%) children. Feeding food and dishes from the family table was practiced by 518 (74.1%) mothers. Spoon-feeding was practiced by 529 (75.6%) children, 157 (22.4%) children were fed this way sometimes. Taking into account the above data, feeding with the BLW method was used in 170 children (24.2%). In the examined group of mothers the use of the BLW method in feeding their children, especially during diet expansion, was declared by 408 women (74.8%). The child's independent decision concerning what the child will eat and what is according to the BLW method is accepted by 434 (62.1%) mothers. Among the positive aspects of using the BLW method, the women surveyed indicated the child's independence, while among the disadvantages, the omnipresent mess and chaos when eating meals.

Prevalence of Feeding Problems in Children and Associated Factors—A Cross-Sectional Study among Polish Children Aged 2–7 Years

“…There is no precise formal definition of picky eating, although it is generally accepted that it includes the rejection or restriction of familiar and unfamiliar foods, and thus includes an element of neophobia; these factors are associated with feeding problems in children [ 9 , 31 ]. The most common definition offered by Dovey et al is that picky/fussy eaters are children “who consume an inappropriate variety of foods, rejecting a significant amount of foods that are familiar (as well as unfamiliar) to them”.…”

“…The third part concerned the child’s current diet, including the use of cutlery, food preferences, taste senses, feeding behaviour, and occurrence of food selectivity. The questionnaire was developed based on current dietary recommendations for the group of the youngest children and the method of diet expansion developed by PTGHiŻD [ 6 ] based on ESPHGAN recommendations [ 7 ], as well as information on diet expansion, including the BLW method and food selectivity occurring in this period of a child’s life [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 10 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Feeding neophobia and current feeding problems – a cross-sectional study among Polish children aged 2–7 years

“…If it is served to them in a different form than that which they are already familiar, it is often rejected, just like new, unfamiliar foods. The same reluctance can occur when served in a different colour, shape, or form than the child expects, when an ingredient touches others on the plate, or when it is in a different package [1,9]. When a dish contains seeds, or unwanted pieces or lumps, for the child, this is a contamination that needs to be removed before it can be eaten.…”

“…People in the immediate environment, such as parents and siblings, greatly influence the development of eating behaviours and habits. By imitating the parent, the child learns them and unconsciously instils various tendencies that can lead to neophobia [9]. Caregivers are the primary providers of food in the home.…”

Complementary Feeding Methods, Feeding Problems, Food Neophobia, and Picky Eating among Polish Children

“…Beginning the introduction of complementary foods around the child's sixth month of life is advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) [7]. Parents may be confused about when to start introducing more foods into their child's diet due to the differences between the ES-PGHAN and WHO approaches [8]. However, for the majority of newborns, the capacity to consume solid food reaches a mature stage when they learn to sit with assistance, become neuromuscularly mature enough to control head and neck motions, and learn to feed with a spoon.…”