BLW or Traditional Feeding? Which Method of Expanding the Diet is Better?

Expanding a baby's diet is a key moment in their development. Today, parents have two main methods to choose from: BLW (Baby-Led Weaning) and traditional spoon feeding. Which method is better? Does BLW support a healthy diet for children more than traditional feeding?

What is BLW?

BLW, or Baby-Led Weaning, is a method of expanding the diet of infants that involves the child eating independently from the first days of introducing solid foods. The toddler is given pieces of food that he can grab, explore and put into his mouth. No spoon or blended foods are used. Supporters of this method emphasize its positive impact on the development of fine motor skills, self-regulation of appetite and building healthy eating habits.

What is traditional infant feeding?

Traditional feeding is a method of feeding the baby with purees and mashed potatoes with a spoon. The parent decides on the amount and pace of meals. This method allows you to control the amount of food eaten and introduce new tastes gradually. This method is recommended by many pediatricians because it makes it easier to monitor reactions to individual products.

Children's diet: BLW and traditional feeding compared

Both BLW and traditional feeding should be consistent with the principles of child nutrition. Here is a comparison of both methods in terms of key aspects of a healthy diet for children:

1. Control over the amount of food

• BLW : The child decides how much to eat, which can support better self-regulation of appetite and prevent obesity later in life.

• Traditional feeding : The parent decides the portion, which can lead to overfeeding or force-feeding.

2. Motor and sensory development

• BLW : Helps develop manual skills and hand-mouth coordination.

• Traditional feeding : The child does not engage in the eating process in this way, which may delay the development of motor skills.

3. Choking hazard

• BLW : May increase risk of choking if care is not taken with consistency and size of pieces.

• Traditional feeding : Safer because the foods are crushed.

4. Diversity of diet for children

• BLW : Babies learn a variety of tastes and textures more quickly.

• Traditional feeding : May lead to slower introduction of a variety of foods.

5. Children's diet menu - sample meals

BLW:

• Cooked vegetable sticks (carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli)

• Soft pieces of fruit (banana, pear, avocado)

• Hard-boiled egg cut into strips

Traditional feeding:

• Applesauce

• Carrot puree

• Porridge with formula milk

Child Nutrition: What Does the Research Say?

Studies show that BLW can support independence and reduce the risk of obesity, but requires caution in choosing foods. Traditional feeding is safer, but can limit a child's sensory development. Experts emphasize that the best approach may be to combine both methods.

Summary

There is no single ideal method for expanding a child's diet. Both BLW and traditional feeding have their advantages and disadvantages. The key is that a healthy diet for children is well-balanced, rich in valuable nutrients and consistent with the principles of child nutrition.

Regardless of the method chosen, children's nutrition should be conscious, tailored to the needs of the child and conducted with respect for their individual preferences.