Baby-led weaning in Italy and potential implications for infant development

Baby-led weaning is an approach to complementary feeding that emphasizes infant's ability self-feed rather than being spoon fed, and eat minimally-processed foods puréed foods. This study aimed investigate the variability in infant practices possible association with developmental milestones Italian population. A sample of 1245 mothers 6–12 month-old infants completed online survey about their attainment milestones. Infants' eating family food was positively related self-feeding a lower consumption As previous studies UK New Zealand, baby-led style associated breastfeeding, exposure around six months age, earlier both finger foods, higher interest shared meals. Infants who were introduced solid using more likely have met important milestones; when controlling for covariates, percentage sitting unsupported at age low spoon-feeding crawling age. These data suggest should be defined comprehensively. Moreover, its potential influence on domains beyond diet behavior warrants future targeted exploration.