Nutrient intake and fruit and vegetable offering in baby-led weaning compared with parent-led weaning in healthy 6- to 13-month-old infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an approach to complementary feeding that allows infants to self-feed solids. This method has grown in popularity, but its effects on eating behavior and nutrition are unclear. Systematically review and meta-analyses (SRMA) the evidence on the effects of BLW compared with parent-led spoon-feeding (PLW) on nutrient intake (NI), fruit and vegetable (FV) offering and FV intake for weaning infants aged 6–13 months. We followed the Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines to perform the SRMA and the GRADE approach to evaluate the evidence. The risk of bias of the cross-sectional studies was assessed via the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Meta-analyses were performed for NI and FV offering, using standardized mean differences and random-effects models. Six studies were included. At 6–10 months of age, BLW infants had significantly lower intake of free sugar and few micronutrients, which might be compensated for by breastfeeding. At the same age, a greater sodium intake was observed. No significant differences were found in nutrient intake for the 9–13-month-old group. Compared to PLW infants, BLW infants were offered 73% more vegetables in the youngest age group. There is great variability in the definition and characterization of BLW, which makes it difficult to derive clear conclusions. The evidence to date suggests that BLW does not imply a negative nutritional balance in the diets of children during complementary feeding; however, the certainty in this evidence is low. Further, more robust research should be conducted to gather more evidence.