Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2025 Jul;36(7):e70150. doi: 10.1111/pai.70150.
ABSTRACT
The goals of the complementary feeding period starting from 4 to 6 months of age are to fulfill the infant’s nutritional need for nutrients and expose the infant to foods of varying flavors and textures to encourage acceptance of a diverse and nutritionally complete diet. Healthy complementary feeding consists of the timely introduction of a high diversity of whole, nutrient dense, and home-cooked foods or alternatively commercially frozen meals based on whole ingredients without added sugar or salt. These meals consist of predominantly plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, as well as fermented foods such as yoghurt. Healthy complementary foods are rich in fiber, iron, zinc, omega-3, and low in sugar, salt, and ultra-processed ingredients. In addition, these foods are hygienically safe, properly prepared, and include the early introduction of family-adjusted and country-specific food allergens. In this way regular complementary foods contribute to taste development, age-appropriate oral motor skills, and the prevention of allergic disease, not only by early introduction of food allergens but also by its impact on a healthy and diverse gut microbial development, a healthy immune maturation, and mucosal tolerance. Thus, individualized timing and selection of appropriate foods are essential while avoiding overreliance on infant formula and commercial baby foods as well as non-recommended feeding styles. This paper provides a rationale and guidance for health care professionals on healthy choices for complementary foods beyond early introduction of common allergens in children up to 24 months of age in developed countries.
PMID:40686257 | DOI:10.1111/pai.70150
