Professional paper
BABY-LED WEANING (BLW) IN INFANT COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING: BENEFITS, RISKS, AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Adrijana Miletić Gospić
; Srebrnjak Children's Hospital, Srebrnjak 100, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Domislović
; Verde Family, Ive Lole Ribara 10, 43500 Doljan, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Complementary feeding is a transitional period during which foods other than breast milk or infant formula are gradually introduced, while the infant becomes familiar with different tastes and textures and develops feeding skills. The baby-led weaning (BLW) approach is based on developmentally ready infants independently consuming most of their food from the beginning of complementary feeding. The aim of this professional paper is to present current knowledge on the benefits, risks, and possibilities of applying the BLW approach compared with traditional complementary feeding. Particular attention is given to nutritional status and growth, energy, iron and zinc intake, dietary diversity, taste preferences, gut microbiota, and choking risk. Research findings are not entirely consistent, partly due to different definitions and methods of implementing BLW. The modified Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS approach was developed to reduce concerns related to insufficient iron and energy intake, growth, and choking. Current evidence indicates that properly implemented Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS can be nutritionally adequate with no statistically significant increase in choking observed compared with traditional complementary feeding in the available studies. At the same time, there is insufficient evidence that BLW itself reduces the risk of overweight or ensures better development. In practice, a combined approach that integrates self-feeding and spoon-feeding is also acceptable, provided that the diet is safe, varied, and nutritionally adequate and that hunger and satiety cues are respected.
Keywords
complementary feeding; baby-led weaning; responsive feeding; infants; feeding safety
Hrčak ID:
353391
URI
Publication date:
2.11.2026.
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