Baby-led weaning (BLW) has gained considerable popularity as a method for introducing solid foods. While it has clear advantages, it’s important to review the nutritional aspects to understand which nutrients may require special attention, particularly proteins.
Avantatges del BLW
BLW offers clear benefits for infant development:
- Fine motor skills: Grasping pieces of food helps develop hand-eye coordination.
- Exploration of tastes and textures: Encourages a positive interest in a variety of foods.
- Chewing and oral development: Promotes proper oral cavity development.
However, some benefits often associated with BLW, such as appetite regulation or a healthy relationship with food, can also be achieved with purees if adults carefully observe the infant’s hunger and satiety cues, like closing the mouth or turning the head.
Risks Regarding Proteins
One of the main critical points of BLW is the introduction of protein-rich foods (meat, fish, eggs, legumes) in infants under 1 year. During the first months, the infant’s digestive system is immature: production of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes such as pepsin is limited, which makes complete protein digestion difficult.
This limitation means that if protein foods are given in large pieces, the infant may not fully utilize them, potentially affecting muscular, brain, and immune development.
How to Introduce Foods
For infants under 1 year:
- Pureed proteins: Meat, fish, and eggs are better pureed with a hand blender. This facilitates digestion and nutrient absorption. Chewing by the adult can provide digestive enzymes and immune factors through saliva.
- BLW or chopped foods: Fruits, vegetables, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, pasta, legumes, and egg yolk can be offered in pieces.
For infants over 1 year:
- Whole eggs (cooked and mashed), and meat or fish in minced form (pre-digested) such as meatballs or burgers, can be introduced.
Conclusions
BLW has many advantages, but when it comes to proteins, the technique must be adapted to the infant’s digestive maturity. Proper introduction of pureed protein foods during the first year ensures optimal development and prevents problems with protein bioavailability.
References:
- Johnson, L. R. (2014). The Physiology of the Gastrointestinal System.
- Barrett, K. E. (2019). Gastrointestinal Physiology.
