Standard v. baby-led complementary feeding: a comparison of food and nutrient intakes in 6–12-month-old infants in the UK

OBJECTIVE: To compare food and nutrient intakes of infants aged 6–12 months following a baby-led complementary feeding (BLCF) approach and a standard weaning (SW) approach. DESIGN: Participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic questions, a 28 d FFQ and a 24 h dietary recall. SETTING: UK. PARTICIPANTS: Infants (n 134) aged 6–12 months (n 88, BLCF; n 46, SW). RESULTS: There was no difference between weaning methods for the food groups ‘fruits’, ‘vegetables’, ‘all fish’, ‘meat and fish’, ‘sugary’ or ‘starchy’ foods. The SW group was offered ‘fortified infant cereals’ (P < 0·001), ‘salty snacks’ at 6–8 months (P = 0·03), ‘dairy and dairy-based desserts’ at 9–12 months (P = 0·04) and ‘pre-prepared baby foods’ at all ages (P < 0·001) more often than the BLCF group. The SW group was offered ‘oily fish’ at all ages (P < 0·001) and 6–8 months (P = 0·01) and ‘processed meats’ at all ages (P < 0·001), 6–8 months (P = 0·003) and 9–12 months (P < 0·001) less often than the BLCF group. The BLCF group had significantly greater intakes of Na (P = 0·028) and fat from food (P = 0·035), and significantly lower intakes of Fe from milk (P = 0·012) and free sugar in the 6–8 months subgroup (P = 0·03) v. the SW group. Fe intake was below the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for both groups and Na was above the RNI in the BLCF group. CONCLUSION: Compared with the SW group, the BLCF group was offered foods higher in Na and lower in Fe; however, the foods offered contained less free sugar.