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Research Article: Are Complementary Feeding Practices Aligned with Current Recommendations? A Narrative Review

Date Published: 2023-04-28

Abstract:
The complementary feeding introduction period (introduction of solid foods alongside breastmilk or formula) is defining in children’s health; however, it appears that many parents do not follow complementary feeding guidelines. Our aim was to describe current parental feeding practices during complementary feeding in relation to current recommendations and explore determinants of adherence to guidelines. We included any relevant studies published within the last decade in French or English and summarized findings by recommendation category. The timing of complementary food introduction varied widely across and within continents (earlier in North America and often delayed in Asia). The introduction of allergenic foods tended to be delayed globally. Although some parents now begin complementary feeding with solid foods (i.e., baby-led weaning), delayed introduction of lumpy textures was still prevalent in the United States and in Europe. The consumption of iron-rich foods was predominantly low in Africa. Added sugars were globally introduced early, especially in America. Evidence for the prevalence of responsive feeding practices among parents is unclear due to the small number of studies. Determinants of complementary feeding practices included parental characteristics, such as age, education, socio-economic status, and race/ethnicity. Interventions aiming to increase adherence to complementary feeding guidelines must account for parental characteristics.

Introduction:
There is compelling evidence suggesting that the first thousand days of life, from conception to around 24 months of age, are decisive in children’s development, influencing both psychological and physiological health [1,2]. The complementary feeding (CF) period is set during this specific period of life and involves the introduction of complementary foods in children’s diet after being exclusively breastfed or formula-fed [3]. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)…

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