Complementary Feeding For Healthy, Full-Term Infants

bstract Introduction of complementary feeding is a very special and important period forgrowth of the children. It can play a major role in the infant’s future health. Until today, this period is recognized as a critical window for promoting optimal growth, development, and good health. Not only in the short term but in the medium and longterm, appropriate feeding at this stage of life has an impact on health, nutritional status, and development of children. Besides, the role played by complementary feeding,for the onset of later diseases (i.e. type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity) has also been increasingly highlighted. The development of food preferences mainly starts when infants discover their firstsolid foods. The correct orientation of this period will ensure that the children have good nutritional habits in the-ir future life. In this context, exclusive or full breast-feeding should be promoted for 6 months. Complementary foods (solids and liquids other than breast milk or infant formula) should not be introduced before 4 months but should not be delayed beyond 6 months. Continued breast-feeding is recommended alongside complementary feeding.This review includes recommendations on complementary feeding, focussing on healthy term infants