Exploring Physicians' Perspectives on the Introduction of Complementary Foods to Infants and Toddlers.

Łukasz Dembiński,Teresa Jackowska,Aleksandra Pituch-Zdanowska,Artur Mazur,Aleksandra Banaszkiewicz,Jarosław Walkowiak,Katarzyna Dereń

doi:10.3390/nu13103559

Abstract

Complementary feeding is the subject of many recommendations regarding the benefits of its use, illustrating its crucial impact on further health. However, it still poses a significant problem for caregivers, and thus for doctors. This survey focused on nutritional problems faced by the parents of infants and toddlers, as well as how physicians deal with these problems. Based on the responses from 303 doctors, it was determined that the time and sequence of introducing complementary foods raise the greatest doubts in parents. This study also found that at least one-third of pediatricians experience difficulties in providing effective nutritional counseling. Increasing the nutritional awareness of physicians can allow them to provide more appropriate support to parents.

Highlights

Despite existing guidelines and recommendations from scientific societies, feeding infants and toddlers is one of the most common subjects of debate amongst pediatricians, dieticians, and obviously, parents [1,2]
Complementary foods should be introduced when exclusive milk feeding becomes insufficient for growing infants to meet their nutritional requirements
The invitation to complete the survey was sent to 1977 pediatricians. 303 (15.3%) questionnaires containing complete answers were included in the statistical analysis

Summary

Introduction

Despite existing guidelines and recommendations from scientific societies, feeding infants and toddlers is one of the most common subjects of debate amongst pediatricians, dieticians, and obviously, parents [1,2]. The weaning from exclusive breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary foods are emotive topics. Complementary foods should be introduced when exclusive (breast- or formula-) milk feeding becomes insufficient for growing infants to meet their nutritional requirements. The time of introducing solid foods and liquids, other than breast- or formula milk, has been established as not earlier than 17 weeks, which means the beginning of the fifth month of life and no later than. 26 weeks, being the beginning of the seventh month. Any relationship with timing of introduction of complementary feeding and the risk of development of some chronic diseases like allergies, asthma or celiac disease, according to available data is not conclusive

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