Recent studies suggest that there may be a shift in weaning
practice closer to the recommendation. This is indicated by the UK
Infant Feeding Survey (Bolling et al., 2007) in which a noticeable
trend towards weaning at or after 4 months has been found.
According to this survey 85% of mothers had introduced solid foods
by four months in 2000 compared to just over half by 2005.
However, it is clear from studies in the US, Australia and UK that
most mothers resist or reject the WHO guidance to wean around 6
months with the modal age closer to 4 months. In France, mothers
tend to wean later, thus in 2005 on average mothers weaned at 5
months, but 13% of mothers had introduced solids before the age of
4 months (Turberg-Romain, Lelievre, & Le Heuzey, 2007).
Beyond the crucial question of timing (when), the type of food
offered (what) is also important. The impact of food chosen and in
particular the role of sensory characteristics (i.e. taste, flavour,
texture) is described in the review by Nicklaus (2011). Sensory
properties of foods have the potential to shape later food
acceptance. Interestingly, in the early stages of the weaning
period (5–7 months) most foods are accepted by infants: the most
bitter- or sour-tasting foods are not clearly rejected (Schwartz,
Chabanet, Lange, Issanchou, & Nicklaus, 2011). Offering infants
varied textures and forms prepared at home predicts greater intake
of fruits and vegetables eaten at age 7 years compared with foods
that are ready-made (Coulthard et al., 2010). Thus sensory
properties of foods offered at weaning influence initial food
acceptance and then influence later intake patterns.