Many families do not adhere to recommendations advanced by the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) that infants be fed only breast milk or formula for the first 4 to 6 months
of life.1 — 4 Although the health consequences associated with the
early introduction
of complementary
foods are controversial, 5 — 8 there is evidence that
early introduction
of solid foods may increase infants» risk
of enteric infections, allergic reactions, obesity, choking, and
food aversion.9 — 13 Complementary
foods are often high in protein, raising questions about the consequences
of high protein intakes on growth and obesity.14 In
addition,
early complementary feeding does not increase the likelihood
of nighttime sleeping15 and may increase the likelihood
of feeding disorders, especially if parents introduce developmentally inappropriate
food or feeding techniques before children have acquired the necessary neuromuscular skills.16, 17