If you are a modern parent, you are probably inundated by information on social media regarding a multitude of child-rearing topics. Feeding is no exception to this! It starts with the formula versus breastfeeding debate and then progresses to how to introduce table foods to your baby. "Baby-led weaning" has become a very popular method over the last decade, but is it the BEST way? Read on to find out.
What are the most popular methods?
There are two popular ways to introduce table foods to babies- baby-led and texture progression. Here they are side by side:
Baby-led | Texture Progression |
Family foods are modified for safety and served to baby. | Foods are introduced based on the development of oral motor skills (e.g., chewing, tongue movement, etc.).
|
Textures are not introduced systematically based on development. | More spoon feeding with purees. |
Self-feeding encouraged right away. | Self-feeding may or may not be encouraged from the start. The caregiver is far more involved initially. |
What does the research say?
Despite the heavy dose of baby-led weaning on your Instagram feed, you'll be surprised to know that the research does not really favor one approach over the other. It is...you guessed it, dependent on your family's needs. Fangupo et al. (2016) & Cichero (2016) shed some light on this for us. The main message was that one approach was not superior, but more importantly, they addressed choking. They found that in babies who used primarily a texture progression approach, there were more choking incidents at 8 months than babies using a baby-led approach. On the other hand, babies using a baby-led approach had more choking incidents than their counterparts at 6 months.
This can likely be boiled down to the fact that, around 8 months, babies using a texture progression approach are likely being introduced to some of the textures that their counterparts were introduced to at 6 months. So, choking is always a possibility and we should be prepared, but the approach you use does not mitigate risk.
So, it's black and white? I pick one and run with it?
Well, no. It's not. In fact, most families end up using a hybrid approach. Hardcore baby-led weaning gives off the idea that purees aren't necessary. This just isn't true. We ALL eat purees- think yogurt, guacamole, mashed potatoes, etc. Purees are still an important texture! Even if you are using more of a baby-led weaning approach, purees should be part of the rotation. And while we are on the topic of purees, let's talk about baby food jars. Is is necessary to buy food specifically marketed for babies learning to eat table foods? Absolutely not. You don't have to buy a single jar of baby food. Is it totally okay to buy them if you want them for convenience? YES!!! It's all about balance.
So...what do I do!?
As your baby approaches 6-ish months, you will want to think about how you want to approach solid foods. Will you take more of a baby-led approach or a texture progression approach? Will you take elements from both and make it work for your family? You can find peace in the fact that, whatever you chose, the research backs you up. Think about what you are most comfortable with and what is easiest for your family and go from there. You can always pivot from one week to the next!
What is most important?
The approach you end up using is the least important part of your baby learning to eat table foods. The MOST important things are:
Family mealtimes, when feasible. It is so important for baby to watch others around them eating because it is part of how they learn!
Variety. From the beginning, baby should be getting a large variety of foods, whether pureed or not.
Exposure. If baby did not like bananas the first time or the tenth time, do not stop buying them. Freeze uneaten food to mitigate food waste, but it can take 20+ exposures for kids to actually consume a food.
Low pressure. Minimize pressure around mealtime. Let baby play with food and get messy! This is all part of learning and pays off big in the long run.
I would love to hear how your family decided to introduce solids. Tell me in the comments below - what was the best and worst part of starting solids with your baby? Or, if your baby has not started yet, how do you think you'll go about it?
REFERENCES
Cichero, .J A. Y. (2016). Introducing solid foods using baby‐led weaning vs. spoon‐feeding: A focus on oral development, nutrient intake and quality of research to bring balance to the debate.
Fangupo, L. J., Heath, A. L. M., Williams, S. M., Erickson Williams, L. W., Morison, B. J., Fleming, E. A., ... & Taylor, R. W. (2016). A baby-led approach to eating solids and risk of choking. Pediatrics, 138(4).
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