Complementary Feeding: Tradition, Innovation and Pitfalls
According to WHO, “complementary feeding (CF) is the process starting when breast milk alone or infant formula alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of infants, and therefore, other foods and liquids are needed, along with breast human milk or a breastmilk substitute”. C...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/5/737 |
| _version_ | 1797263998755799040 |
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| author | Maria Elena Capra Nicola Mattia Decarolis Delia Monopoli Serena Rosa Laudisio Antonella Giudice Brigida Stanyevic Susanna Esposito Giacomo Biasucci |
| author_facet | Maria Elena Capra Nicola Mattia Decarolis Delia Monopoli Serena Rosa Laudisio Antonella Giudice Brigida Stanyevic Susanna Esposito Giacomo Biasucci |
| author_sort | Maria Elena Capra |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | According to WHO, “complementary feeding (CF) is the process starting when breast milk alone or infant formula alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of infants, and therefore, other foods and liquids are needed, along with breast human milk or a breastmilk substitute”. CF is one of the most important “critical and sensitive periods” in human life: indeed, timing and approaches to solid foods introduction in an infant’s nutrition are of utmost importance as potential epigenetic factors from infancy to adulthood. CF is also deeply influenced by each country and single-family traditions, culture, and beliefs. The aim of our narrative review is to analyze traditional CF practices, including innovative and alternative ones that emerged in the last decades, such as baby-led weaning or plant-based weaning, and to evaluate their effects on the risk of developing non-communicable diseases. Moreover, we will discuss pitfalls and misunderstandings that pediatricians frequently have to face when dealing with complementary feeding. Health care professionals must not have prejudices against parents’ wishes or traditions about CF; rather, they should support and educate them in case of any alternative CF choice, always pursuing the infant’s adequate growth, neuro- and taste development, and the achievement of correct eating behavior as the primary goal. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:21:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2a9c1be657f3407c8852d89f256d62d2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:21:55Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-2a9c1be657f3407c8852d89f256d62d22024-03-12T16:52:24ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432024-03-0116573710.3390/nu16050737Complementary Feeding: Tradition, Innovation and PitfallsMaria Elena Capra0Nicola Mattia Decarolis1Delia Monopoli2Serena Rosa Laudisio3Antonella Giudice4Brigida Stanyevic5Susanna Esposito6Giacomo Biasucci7Pediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, 29121 Piacenza, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyPediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, 29121 Piacenza, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyPediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyPediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, 29121 Piacenza, ItalyAccording to WHO, “complementary feeding (CF) is the process starting when breast milk alone or infant formula alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of infants, and therefore, other foods and liquids are needed, along with breast human milk or a breastmilk substitute”. CF is one of the most important “critical and sensitive periods” in human life: indeed, timing and approaches to solid foods introduction in an infant’s nutrition are of utmost importance as potential epigenetic factors from infancy to adulthood. CF is also deeply influenced by each country and single-family traditions, culture, and beliefs. The aim of our narrative review is to analyze traditional CF practices, including innovative and alternative ones that emerged in the last decades, such as baby-led weaning or plant-based weaning, and to evaluate their effects on the risk of developing non-communicable diseases. Moreover, we will discuss pitfalls and misunderstandings that pediatricians frequently have to face when dealing with complementary feeding. Health care professionals must not have prejudices against parents’ wishes or traditions about CF; rather, they should support and educate them in case of any alternative CF choice, always pursuing the infant’s adequate growth, neuro- and taste development, and the achievement of correct eating behavior as the primary goal.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/5/737complementary feedinginfantsnutritionbaby-led weaningfood allergy |
| spellingShingle | Maria Elena Capra Nicola Mattia Decarolis Delia Monopoli Serena Rosa Laudisio Antonella Giudice Brigida Stanyevic Susanna Esposito Giacomo Biasucci Complementary Feeding: Tradition, Innovation and Pitfalls Nutrients complementary feeding infants nutrition baby-led weaning food allergy |
| title | Complementary Feeding: Tradition, Innovation and Pitfalls |
| title_full | Complementary Feeding: Tradition, Innovation and Pitfalls |
| title_fullStr | Complementary Feeding: Tradition, Innovation and Pitfalls |
| title_full_unstemmed | Complementary Feeding: Tradition, Innovation and Pitfalls |
| title_short | Complementary Feeding: Tradition, Innovation and Pitfalls |
| title_sort | complementary feeding tradition innovation and pitfalls |
| topic | complementary feeding infants nutrition baby-led weaning food allergy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/5/737 |
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