Feeding our infants and toddlers: present and future consequences

Complementary feeding (CF) refers to the introduction of other foods and liquids, in addition to breast milk, when breast milk alone is no longer enough to meet an infant's nutritional needs, typically around 6 months of age. By this time, breast milk cannot fully provide the necessary calories, protein, iron, zinc, and fat-soluble vitamins. Timely CF introduction can positively impact future health outcomes, including reducing the risks of allergies and obesity. Additionally, studies like the LEAP study and meta-analyses show that introducing allergenic foods (like peanuts) between 4 and 11 months significantly reduces the risk of peanut allergies, suggesting that earlier introduction may help prevent allergies in regions like Europe.