The Critical Window: Meeting Infant Nutrient Needs during Complementary Feeding

The Complementary Feeding (CF) period (۶ –۲۴ months) is a critical window for ensuring optimal nutrition to support infant growth, neurodevelopment, and long-term metabolic health. Despite global guidelines, many infants face challenges in meeting nutrient requirements due to biological, socioeconomic, and cultural factors. In this narrative review, we examine the challenges meeting complementary feeding during infant’s period. The review from ۲۰۱۰ to ۲۰۲۵, an analysis based on peer-reviewed studies, clinical trials, and guidelines on the complementary feeding. This narrative review identified three critical challenges in meeting infant nutrient needs during complementary feeding (CF): ۱) High Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiencies (Iron, Zinc and vitamin D). ۲) Barriers to Optimal Feeding Practices (Socioeconomic factors, Cultural preferences). ۳) Effectiveness of Interventions. Our study highlights the persistent global challenge of meeting nutrient needs during this transition, emphasizing the roles of biological barriers, socioeconomic disparities, and cultural practices in shaping feeding outcomes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Complementary Feeding ، Infant Nutrition ، Micronutrient Deficiencies ، Supplementation