more than 500 new members joined the Danish Facebook group for BLW (Baby-led Weaning DK 2014). This fact indicates that parent’s interest for BLW is growing as more information becomes available and that the trend is likely to grow in the future. Currently evidence points to the fact that nutrition during the complementary feeding period can affect long term health and the risk of future non-communicable diseases. Consequently, emphasis in current research has shifted to focus on long term health as opposed to prevention of malnutrition (Agostoni, Decsi et al. 2008, Michaelsen, LarnkjÌr et al. 2010). Particularly the association between infant nutrition and growth, and the association with the later risk of overweight and obesity makes research in this life stage very relevant. However, to my knowledge there has been little or no emphasis on research examining the effect of how solids are being introduced, opposed to when and what foods are introduced.
Aim The aim of this study is twofold: to review the current literature on BLW in order to get an understanding of the current state of knowledge within this new approach to infant nutrition. Secondly, to gain an insight into how BLW is practised in DK comparatively to the UK using qualitative data. The results from the review of the existing literature on BLW together with the results from the qualitative study will lay the foundation for a discussion that aims to critically evaluate the evidence for the proposed health related benefits and risks of following BLW. In order to thoroughly discuss the scientific rationale for any suggested negative or positive outcome connected with this practice of weaning, knowledge and evidence from other areas of childhood nutrition is drawn upon.
Limitation It is exceedingly relevant for researchers in infant nutrition and health professionals to be aware of new trends in infant feeding that might have an effect on health, growth and nutrient status of infants and young children. As these trends gain popularity, it is important to conduct studies assessing the health status of infants following the method in question. However, assessing the
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