Experiences of baby‐led weaning

Trust, control and renegotiation

Bibliographic Data

ID15535487
AuthorsMadelynne A Arden (0000-0002-6199-717X, Sheffield Hallam University, corresponding author), Rachel L Abbott (0000-0002-7805-4194, Sheffield Hallam University)
Year2014
Volume11
Issue4
Pages829-844
Publication date2014-02-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.12106
PMID24521206
OpenAlexW1818986379
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited35

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an approach to introducing solid foods that relies on the presence of self-feeding skills and is increasing in popularity in the UK and New Zealand. This study aimed to investigate the reported experiences and feelings of mothers using a BLW approach in order to better understand the experiences of the mother and infant, the benefits and challenges of the approach, and the beliefs that underpin these experiences. Fifteen UK mothers were interviewed over the course of a series of five emails using a semi-structured approach. The email transcripts were anonymised and analysed using thematic analysis. There were four main themes identified from the analysis: (1) trusting the child; (2) parental control and responsibility; (3) precious milk; and (4) renegotiating BLW. The themes identified reflect a range of ideals and pressures that this group of mothers tried to negotiate in order to provide their infants with a positive and healthy introduction to solid foods. One of the key issues of potential concern is the timing at which some of the children ingested complementary foods. Although complementary foods were made available to the infants at 6 months of age, in many cases they were not ingested until much later. These findings have potentially important implications for mother's decision-making, health professional policy and practice, and future research

Breastfeeding · Control (management · Developmental psychology · Feeling · Management · Negotiation · Popularity · Qualitative research · Thematic analysis · Weaning · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child Development and Digital Technology · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Pediatrics

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