THE BLISS FEEDING METHOD AS A MODIFIED VERSION OF THE BLW: WHAT IT IS AND WHAT BENEFITS IT BRINGS

When the time comes to start supplementary feeding, we have doubts about how to do it and what method to use: BLW or crushed? In recent years, the BLW has been gaining popularity, but there are also families who express their fears about a possible choking or nutritional deficiencies of the baby.

To alleviate these possible problems, the Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) method was born, promoted by some pediatricians and included in the guide on complementary feeding published by the Nutrition Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics.

We tell you what exactly the BLISS-BLW method consists of and what advantages it has according to experts.

A method that would help prevent the possible disadvantages of BLW

In recent years, the BLW feeding method, or complementary feeding guided by the baby, has been gaining ground and more and more families are choosing this way to introduce food into their children's diet.

In Babies and more Supplementary feeding: AEP recommendations on the introduction of food into the baby's diet

But pediatricians warn that the practice of BLW must be accompanied by basic knowledge, but very important, then without this information certain problems could arise how:

Choking or asphyxiation risk if basic safety measures are not known (something that, on the other hand, all families should know regardless of the method of feeding chosen).
Nutrient deficit and poor growth, if not carried out balanced and adequate diet, paying special attention to iron-rich foods, as the deposits of this mineral are decreasing and from the sixth month increases the risk of the baby developing anemia

"When the BLW is analyzed in contexts in which the parents have received basic information, no differences were found in nutritional status, iron intake or choking "- we can read in the AEP guide.

But to try to mitigate these possible problems, a modified version of the BLW method called Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) was published in 2015

The BLISS method It was developed by a pediatrician and a speech therapist, in order to address these three main concerns of health professionals, parents and authors.

What is the difference between BLW and BLISS?

Really none then it is the same method with the same essence: allow the child to eat with their hands, learn and enjoy food and textures, without the intervention of an adult who feeds them.

But this modified version emphasizes the consumption of iron-rich foods (some examples are red meat, liver, legumes, cereals, ground nuts ...) and energetic food (ground nuts, eggs, seeds, cereals, caloric fruits and vegetables such as bananas, avocado, squash, potatoes ...) at each meal.

Further, affects the importance of avoiding choking including specific recommendations, and presenting foods with a texture soft enough so that the baby is able to crush it by pushing it with its tongue against the palate.

What advantages does BLW-BLISS provide?

In addition to the above, the AEP Nutrition and Breastfeeding Committees highlight the following advantages when introducing solids following the principles of the BLW method, and especially the modified BLISS method:

The families that opt for these methods usually wait six months to start complementary feeding, as opposed to those who opt for the traditional method (crushed or pureed), which usually start earlier.
These feeding methods favor the maintenance of breastfeeding.
Perceptual feeding based on the signs of hunger and satiety of the child.
These methods favor the preference for healthy food and varied in the medium and long term, promoting healthy habits from early childhood.
The meal becomes a time of satisfaction and family enjoyment, and the perception of "bad dining."

In addition to all these advantages, the BLW-BLISS method provides great benefits to the psychomotor development of the child, since the baby learns for himself how to take food with his hands, perfecting the grip technique.

In Babies and more Baby-led weaning: everything you need to know explained by experts

Basic recommendations to get started

To start the self-regulated complementary feeding by the baby we must pay attention to four main indicators: The baby has turned six months old, remains seated with help, shows real interest in adult food and the extrusion reflex has disappeared.

But also, the BLISS method insists especially in the following recommendations:

Know the signs of choking and know how to proceed about it.
Know foods with a high risk of choking, such as whole nuts, popcorn, whole grapes, sausages, vegetables and hard fruits ... and never offer them to the baby.
Offer daily iron-rich meals, such as meat cooked in strips or minced in the form of hamburgers, balls or sticks, egg yolk, cooked lentil or white bean cakes, tofu sticks, hummus ... as well as energetic food.
Offer the food presented in such a way that it is easy for the baby to take it with his hands and bring it to his mouth, always opting for very soft textures. In fact, it is recommended that the adult try the food beforehand and see if he can undo it with his tongue.
Integrate the baby into family meals and never leave him eating alone.
Pay attention to the baby's hunger signals, and attend to them as soon as possible.
While eating, avoid any element of distraction for the baby, such as screens, toys ...
When the baby is sick, offer soft foods and very easy to handle and ingest.

In Babies and more of all but this: prohibited foods in the diet of babies under one year old

Surely you are thinking that there are no differences between BLW and BLISSWell, as we say the essence is the same. But when it comes to starting with the self-regulated feeding by the baby, families must take into account a series of fundamental aspects to do it correctly.

Therefore, pediatricians insist that before starting with the BLW, parents inform us and ask the experts all the questions that arise, to carry it out with total security.

Via BMC Pediatrics, SEPEAP