Alimentación complementaria dirigida por el bebé («baby-led weaning»)¿Es una aproximación válida a la introducción de nuevos alimentos en el lactante?

Resum

Usually complementary feedings include, at least temporar­ily, pureed foods or spoon foods until infant is able to grasp food and feed herself. In daily practice time for chewable foods has delayed is this is a cause of eating problems in late infancy. Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an alternative approach for introducing complementary foods that emphasises infant self-feeding rather than adult spoon-feeding. In this way infants early joins family meals and share familial menu. Some small observacional studies suggest that this approach enhances eating patterns, although benefits for health are still to be probed. Its diffusion is according to the recommendations from the WHO to delay complementary feedings till 6 months of age. Many of the considerations of these phylosophy could be applied to most infants, although it is difficult to agree in some radical aspects (opposition to pureed foods). Main unanswered questions are: do infants following BLW obtain sufficient nutrients, including energy and iron? Are iron deficiency, choking and growth faltering real concerns for those following BLW approach? Is the technique suitable for all infants? Up to date, it seems important that pediatricians know about BLW approach, its benefits and risks.